Last Updated February 08, 2008
The emirate of Ajman, situated just northeast of both Dubai and Sharjah, is currently implementing an ambitious project aimed at setting up a new industrial free zone that should be completed by the end of the second quarter of this year. Sheikh Muhammad Bin Abdullah Al-Nuaimi, the general manager of Ajman's Free Zone (AFZ), announced in an interview with the Oxford Business Group: "We are in the process of establishing a free industrial zone, totalling more than Dh1.15 billion [$313mn]. We hope this project will provide a fertile investment environment for the establishment of industry, as well as offer an expanded and integrated services network".
The new zone will complement AFZ which has already attracted more than 2,115 companies.
AFZ, which is located in the Al-Zora area, currently boasts the highest number of ready-made garments factories in one free zone with 19 factories currently in operation. According to Al-Nuaimi , those 19 factories export to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, to Europe, and to the United States and produced 35 million units in 2006. Al-Nuaimi added: "An international consultancy has worked on the planning of the industrial zone, which will include warehousing, office space, worker accommodation, and a road network to serve the needs of the companies setting up here over the next decade."
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