6 minute read
HFZA
Counting on Quality and Competitiveness of Services and Facilities to drive growth
As the UAE’s second largest industrial free zone, the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) has had a stellar track record over the past 25 years since its inception by an Emiri Decree issued by His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, on 12 November 1995.
The Hamriyah Free Zone spanning 26 million sqm (26 sqkm) in the Emirate of Sharjah boasts a 14 meter deep port and 7 meter deep inner harbour and a thriving industrial enclave that continues to attract new investments and grow from strength to strength.
Even in the wake of the pandemic, HFZA reported good performance in 2020 with hundreds of new registrations in multiple sectors.
HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) and Sharjah Airport International Free Zone (SAIF Zone), provided Global Supply Chain the lowdown and update of the Authority’s performance and developments. The following is the transcript of the interview. Global Supply Chain (GSC):
We saw a lot of investors refrained from investing during the time of Covid-19, how have you promoted and marketed for HFZA during these challenging times?
HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouie (SSAM): In fact, the quality and competitiveness of our services and facilities is the key to promoting and marketing for HFZA.
HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director, HFZA and SAIF.
These facilities include but not limited to; full foreign ownership; 100% repatriation of capital and profits; no corporate and income taxes; and last but not least the comprehensive digital transformation in all services to speed up and simplify the transactions of our investors.
GSC: Have you inked new
investment deals in the past year? If yes, tell us about the number of companies opened in 2020 up to today and in which fields they operate?
SSAM: We have been keen to entice quality investments that benefit the national strategies and plans, especially the economic diversification strategy.
In 2020, about 756 new companies were opened operating in petrochemical industries, medical and health equipment and products, food industries, and petroleum industries.
successful participation in the 26th Gulfood 2021?
SSAM: One of the important events in our annual agenda is the participation in Gulfood, which represents a leading platform for promoting and finding new markets for our domestic products, as well as spotlighting the outstanding benefits we provide to our investors.
Our participation this year was very constructive as we have successfully inked a deal with Al Aliyo Hydrofarms, a leading company in the hydroponic fodder farming industry. Apart from that, we held several meetings with businessmen and investors who showed their serious interest to set up their businesses in HFZA.
GSC: Give us a glimpse of
Sharjah Food Park which and how many companies operating over there?
SSAM: Sharjah Food Park is the first and largest integrated facility dedicated to the food industry across the region.
HFZA entrance
Hamriyah Free Zone Authority Highlights
• 100% full foreign ownership, repatriation of capital and profits. • 100% comprehensive digital transformation in all services • 0% corporate and income taxes (no taxes). • 756 new companies were opened in 2020. • Sharjah Food Park extends over an area of 11 million square feet with more than 136 warehouses of different sizes. • Sharjah Food Park is home to some 1700 companies. • Sharjah Food Park also provides accommodations with a capacity of more than 26,000 workers.
Hamriyah Free Zone—Profile
Established by Emiri Decree No. 6 of 1995, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority is presently home to over 6,500 businesses from 163 countries.
In addition to world-class facilities including offices, warehouses, factories and executive office suites, Hamriyah Free Zone also has over 15 on-site key business services, like banking and auditing firms, currency exchanges, conference rooms, staff accommodation, and more.
Uniquely located at the intersection between three continents, is an advantage as it allows HFZA investors and companies access to serve a growing market of 1.5 billion people in its hinterland.
Interestingly, the Emirate of Sharjah, the third largest in the UAE, has ports on both the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that connects further to the Arabian Sea and onward to the Indian Ocean.
Extending over an area of 11 million square feet with more than 136 warehouses of different sizes, Sharjah Food Park is home to some 1700 companies operating in food manufacturing, preservation, packaging, re-packaging, import, and export to markets around the globe.
Sharjah Food Park also provides accommodations with a capacity of more than 26,000 workers.
GSC: The key investment trends
during the pandemic were the investment in the medical warehouses or the production of face masks; have you signed any relevant agreements in this segment in 2020?
SSAM: We were very focused on attracting the companies and investments operating in the medical industries. This culminated in the inauguration of a new headquarter for Medtra, one of the world’s major companies in the production and manufacturing of healthcare equipment and products.
The company operates in 40 countries worldwide and is projected to invest about AED 100 million (US$ 27.25mn) in HFZA.
+ 6,500 businesses + 163 countries + 15 key business services + 1.5 billion people served
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