Dubai hosts representatives from 100 countries at Free Zones Conference

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, the Emirate of Dubai will host the 10th annual international conference of the World Free Zones Organization from September 23 to 25, which will be held at Madinat Jumeirah under the theme “Economic Zones and Changing Global Economic Structures – Exploring New Horizons for Investment.”

The conference discusses the most important topics that top the sector’s priorities at the global level, with the participation of representatives from more than 100 countries, amidst the attendance of more than 2,000 global and regional business leaders and officials of free zones around the world.

The event coincides with the 10th anniversary of the organization’s founding, while the Emirate of Dubai is hosting it for the second year in a row, and for the fifth time since the launch of its first session.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Chairman of the World Free Zones Organization, said: “Dubai’s hosting of the 10th annual international conference of the World Free Zones Organization reflects the emirate’s keenness to contribute effectively to the development of the global system of economic zones, as they are the nerve center of international trade in our current era. This is in line with Dubai’s drive to double its foreign trade to AED 25 trillion, and its efforts to add trade corridors with 400 new cities around the world by 2033, in accordance with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and its ambitious goals.”

He added: “Dubai looks forward to organising a successful session that is in line with the UAE’s efforts to enhance its advanced position as a global centre of influence and a global economic player among major economic groups according to the UAE Centennial 2071, and in line with the status of this event and its growing strategic and vital importance in enhancing efforts aimed at achieving sustainable economic development, building and consolidating trade exchange relations and a network of partnerships between economic zones in the organisation’s countries, in addition to expanding its activities to include modern economic sectors that keep pace with the era of artificial intelligence, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and advanced technology, and support the establishment of national economies based on knowledge and innovation, leading to an effective contribution to achieving comprehensive growth and prosperity at the global economic level.”

Al Zarooni considered that holding the event in Dubai constitutes a renewed opportunity to present in-depth visions and anticipate the future of the economic zones sector worldwide, through continuing constructive and fruitful discussions between all concerned parties on ways to facilitate business, link different markets together, and provide customers with effective operations to save costs, as part of the serious efforts made by the organization to advance the sector to higher levels, keep pace with the rapid developments witnessed by the world around us, encourage the adoption of the highest standards and the latest legislation and policies, and the application of the best global practices, and benefit from emerging trends and innovations in the economic zones sector, to attract companies and investors and provide them with competitive advantages.

International organization

The World Free Zones Organization has more than 1,600 members from 141 countries, and is widely represented through 12 regional offices around the world, and 42 national contact points.

The organization is witnessing increasing reliance by economic zones on its contributions, services and the network of qualitative strategic partnerships that connect its members.