(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Ajman Free Zone Authority, or Afza, is expanding its global reach to be closer to potential overseas customers by partnering entities internationally as well as studying the options of opening its own offices in the key markets of the Indian subcontinent, Africa and the United Kingdom.
In a statement, the Afza said opening these offices were in line with the free zone's accelerated strategic campaign to attract global investors from across the world to its premises which now houses over 7,000 companies.
On forging a strategic alliance with Afza International Private Limited, a local company in India that shall exclusively market and promote the Ajman Free Zone, Mahmood Al Hashemi, general manager of the Afza, said: "India has been a key market for us for many years we believe that there is untapped potential to tap a growing class of young Indian entrepreneurs who would like to get a vantage point for expanding into the Middle East markets."
"South Africa is another emerging market for us and we would like to maximise our reach to the investors in that country."
Over 40 per cent of investors in the Afza are from the Indian subcontinent. The free zone is also attracting a growing number of investors from the African continent that have its headquarters in South Africa.
"We have further decided to investigate the possibility of incepting our own offices in the UK as it is the financial capital and Ajman Free Zone enjoys a constant flow of inward investment from the country. We have planned roadshows in London and Birmingham in the month of September which will also serve as a survey trip for us having our own offices," Al Hashemi said. "We've recently initiated investor-friendly initiatives to these countries and it was a huge success, convincing us of the enormous potential yet to be tapped in these markets. The international offices will follow up on the success of the road shows and we are confident of increased investment flows from these countries to Ajman and the UAE," he added.
The Ajman Free Zone had recently announced a slew of initiatives that are of particular interest to small and medium enterprises.
These initiatives include flexible investment plans to smart offices and smart warehouses, which present unparalleled cost-effective solutions to investors wanting to operate from the free zone.
"The new overseas arms of the Ajman Free Zone are mandated to actively tap into the markets by highlighting the flexible approach of the Ajman Free Zone towards investors. We are confident that we will be able to close new deals and work on prospective investors by being on ground in these markets," said Nader Eldesouky, deputy general manager of the Afza.
The Afza's offer of smart and executive offices, starting from a monthly payment of $555 to $777, respectively, as well as its smart warehouses that allow an investor to take up space as small as 100sqm, have received tremendous response.
"Coupled with the smart investment platforms, we also have a win-win proposition, a first-of-its-kind, in our newly-announced installment-linked payment plan. Our decision to open our own offices internationally was taken in line with the great enthusiasm that investors in these countries showed towards out investment propositions," said Rishi Somaiya, sales director of the Afza.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.