Industry

The manufacturing sector has recorded consistent growth in recent years, accounting for 13.7% of the emirate’s GDP in 2013. Free zones such as the Jebel Ali Free Zone and the Dubai Auto Zone continue to play an important role in the sector, with incentives helping to draw in international players. According to the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, its 625 automotive companies generated trade worth around $4.6bn in 2013, up 13% on 2012, while Dubai Auto Zone recorded a 63% rise in trade in the first half of 2014, illustrating the emirate’s continuing development as an export and re-export centre for the automotive sector. The emirate’s growing logistics and transport capabilities as it gears up to host Dubai Expo 2020 are also expected to help drive further growth. This chapter contains an interview with Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman, Drydocks World and Maritime World.