Azerbaijan Consul General visits Jafza to further boost trade ties

HE Parviz Ismailzada, Consul General of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the UAE, visited Jafza today to foster stronger bilateral trade relations with the Free Zone.

He was received by Ibrahim Mohamed Aljanahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza, Tariq Bin Ghalaita, VP-Europe & UAE Region and Abdulaziz Redha, Manager-Sales. Aljanahi, welcoming the Consul General, talked about robust bilateral relations Dubai and Azerbaijan enjoy. He also talked about huge possibilities to raise bilateral trade between Jafza and the Republic.

Aljanahi said: “The recent visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to Azerbaijan has given further boost to bilateral relations between the two countries opening opportunities for stronger trade relations.

“Bilateral trade between Jafza and Azerbaijan has more than doubled in the last 5 years to USD 260 million. The trade volume has possibilities to grow at double the existing rate in view of growing opportunities in Dubai and the UAE, triggered by upcoming Expo 2020, and across the wider Middle East region that Jafza as a trade and logistics hub serves. I invite companies from Azerbaijan to use Jafza facilities to capitalize on the emerging opportunities in the UAE and the region.”

Aljanahi briefed Consul General on the key offerings of Jafza including its outstanding multi-modal logistics capabilities, products and technology driven one-stop-shop services that has made the Free Zone a trade and logistics hub for a region that spans from West Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Africa and the CIS.

Both the officials held talks to further enhance trade ties between the two sides.

Azerbaijan is Jafza’s second largest trade partner in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). More than 30 Azeri companies have chosen Jafza as their home. These companies are engaged in wide range of businesses spanning from electronics, food and beverages, health and beauty care to building material, equipment and machines, transportation and petrochemicals.

The Consul General expressed his great admiration for the Free Zone and extended his thanks for Jafza’s support for boosting trade-flow between Azerbaijan and the region through the Free Zone.

Azerbaijan is one of the fastest growing economies in the CIS. The country’s high economic growth is attributed to large and growing oil and gas exports, but some non-oil sectors also featured double-digit growth, including construction, banking, and real estate. 

Azerbaijan’s main industries include petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals, as well as, textiles. 

At present Azerbaijan’s main export partners are Italy 25%, Indonesia 11.6%, Thailand 7%, Germany 5.7%, France 4.7%, India 4.6%, Russia 4.5% and USA 4.1% (2013 EST.). The country’s total exports in 2013 stood at USD 34.46 billion.