Dubai: Dubai FDI, the investment development agency in the Department of Economic Development (DED) has assisted one more multinational move to Dubai for broader market access and expansion with Lindt & Sprungli, the famous Swiss manufacturer of premium chocolates, establishing its representative office in the emirate.
Dubai FDI, in association with Corporate Business Services (CBS), a Dubai-based company set-up and formation solutions provider, facilitated the opening of the Lindt & Sprungli office, which will serve distributors throughout the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Sub-continent.
Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI, commented, “Lindt & Sprungli moving to Dubai has varied implications for the company as well as for the emirate and its vast catchment that includes Middle East, Africa and the Sub-continent. It underlines the significance of Dubai as a supply chain hub in the region and a magnet for investors across varied geographies.”
Al Gergawi said a growing number of multinationals are coming to Dubai seeking to serve their clients better and break new grounds for growth as a diversity of businesses sectors, new opportunities, ease of doing business, connectivity and varied lifestyle choices, continue to keep Dubai as a preferred destination for businesses and individuals.
The Dubai FDI CEO added that the positive sentiment Dubai has reinforced as the host city of the Expo 2020 will bring in more high profile investors such as Lindt & Sprungli in the longer term.
“Over the past three years Dubai FDI has assisted nearly 470 companies, from varied sectors, to set up in Dubai. The net investment brought in by these firms is around Dh9.56 billion. The Expo would not only create new demand but also attract investments through introducing the advantages of doing business in Dubai to a large international audience,” Al Gergawi said.
Ayman Al Awadhi, Managing Director of CBS added, “CBS is an award-winning company ranked among the top 100 performers in the UAE and we are proud to work closely with Dubai FDI towards attracting foreign business to Dubai and the region. With the world-class infrastructure the city has on offer and Expo 2020 in the offing, doing business in Dubai has become even more attractive across all industries and business sizes.”
An acknowledged leader in its sector, Lindt & Sprungli has a tradition of more than 160 years and serves more than 100 countries around the world. The company registered an annual growth of eight per cent in 2013 after its global turnover reached around Dh 11.7 billion.
“Being based in Dubai allows us to reach all of the parts of our large territory, and one of the main factors in our choice of location was the exceptional communications infrastructure that Dubai provides. With the support of Dubai FDI, and the help of our partner, CBS, we were able to incorporate our Dubai branch effortlessly,” Graeme Bradstock, Head of Region, Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli.
Between 2011 and 2013 Dubai FDI has assisted 469 companies, mainly from the services, trading, manufacturing, hospitality and tourism, and oil and gas sectors, to set up in Dubai. Together these companies have brought in Dh9.56 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Dubai.
