Largest logistics facility in Mideast opens at Jebel Ali

Dubai: An 80,000-square metre, Dh185-million logistics facility, said to be the largest in the Middle East, was opened in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone by Danzas AEI Emirates yesterday.

The facility covers a built up area 54,000 square metres, is fully air-conditioned, includes 6,700 square metres of office space and an 8,000 square metre, temperature controlled life sciences distribution centre. Danzas is a joint venture between Al Tayer Group LLC and DHL Management Ltd.

Al Tayer Group Chairman Ahmad Humaid Al Tayer said the facility cemented Dubai's role as a global business hub. The new facility was part of the group's commitment to support growth in the Middle East and Dubai, he added.

"We already have commitments for 65 per cent of the space. The ongoing global financial crisis gives us more of a reason to be here. It is not the time to shy away from opportunities," said chief executive of DHL Global Forwarding Hermann Ude.

The global freight market is set to reach $1.4 trillion by 2020 and Gulf exports reached $320 billion last year.

"The Gulf is ideally positioned, with access not just to Europe, Africa and Asia, but also to the fast-developing Indian subcontinent and its huge manufacturing output. Our global experience of aligning logistics services with trade lanes will be enhanced by the integrated services provided at the Jafza facility," he said.

"This is combined with the future benefits of operating from the only free zone in the world to be located between an airport and a seaport."

The facility was opened by Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group.