More than 60 new companies were set up in the Fujairah free zone in 2002, which is an increase of 25 per cent over last year's figures.

Sheikh Saif bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Chairman of the Fujairah Free Zone Authority, said: "We are doing good business here. And we have become more experienced at attracting investors from all over the world. Our free zone has the benefit of a wide range of services offered by the Fujairah Government."

Sharief Habib Al Awadhi, Director General of Fujairah Free Zone Authority, told Gulf News that support from the Fujairah Government and keen interest and supervision by Sheikh Saleh bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Chairman of Fujairah Depart-ment of Industry and Economy, were behind the free zone's performance this year.

"A total of 60 new companies were set up this year, bringing the total number of firms to 230, with a capital of around Dh 1 billion," said Al Awadhi.

Thirty-seven new trading offices, 13 new warehouses and 7 other plants were set up during this period.

"The new companies registered at the free zone this year include tyre manufacturing units and chemical container manufacturing units," he added.

"The successful marketing of our zone and the hard work of the staff have contributed to the rise in turnover, which has crossed the Dh 1 billion mark, and in increasing the total investment in the zone to over Dh 800 million."

Eleven new national employees have been appointed at the Fujairah Free Zone this year, bringing the total number of administrative staff to 50.

"Emiratisation in the zone has reached 30 per cent this year, a seven per cent annual rise. We plan to Emiratise 50 per cent of the total staff by 2005," said Al Awadhi.

The free zone has over 200 operational projects out of a total of 230 registered ones, employing more than 3,000 people in its two main phases.

At the beginning of this year, Fujairah Free Zone had 90 trading offices, 37 warehousing and distribution facilities and around 45 manufacturing plants.

"These projects occupied 75,000 square metres of land out of the total 218,300 square metres. Even after the 60 new companies were accommodated, much land is vacant that can house many other projects in the future," said Al Awadhi.