Colombian Ambassador in the UAE visits Jafza

HE Fayhan Al Fayez Shalhoub, Ambassador of Republic of Colombia in the UAE, visited Jafza to explore opportunities to boost Colombian exports to the region through the Free Zone. He was received by Adil Al Zarooni, Senior Vice President Sales and his team. Mohammad Ali Al Kamali, Deputy CEO of Dubai Exports (Dubai Economic Department), was also present on the occasion.

Adil Al Zarooni in his welcome note stressed on the need to strengthen bilateral relations between Colombia, a leading member of the Pacific Alliance that seeks to be Latin America’s gateway to Asian Markets, and Jafza, the trade and logistics hub for the wider Middle East region that spans from West Asia, Indian Subcontinent to Africa and the CIS. 

Al Zarooni said: “Huge opportunities for Colombian products exist in the Middle East region that Jafza as a hub serves. The bilateral trade between Colombia and Jafza is estimated to have crossed AED 45 million in 2014, which can easily be doubled if Columbian businesses expand their presence in Jafza and the region. The current Colombia-Jafza trade is largely generated by re-exports of Colombian goods to the GCC countries. 

“The Middle East is not only one of the wealthiest and the fastest growing regions in the world but also one of the largest import markets for a variety of products. We invite Colombian companies to use Jafza’s world-class facilities to capitalize on emerging opportunities in these imports driven markets particularly in food, agricultural products and textile and garment sectors that Colombia is rich in.”

In his presentation Al Zarooni highlighted Jafza’s key offerings that have made the Free Zone trade and logistics hub for the entire Middle East region. More than 80% of the region’s overseas non-oil imports are routed through Jafza. 

Colombian Ambassador expressed his deep admiration for Jafza’s facilities and strengths and sought the Free Zone’s support to enhance the presence of Colombian products in the regional markets. 

The Republic of Colombia is the world’s 4^th largest coal exporter. It is also the Latin America’s 4th largest oil producer. The Colombian economy depends heavily on energy and mining exports. The country wants to diversify into the exports of non-oil products. It currently exports food products like coffee and banana, textile and garments. At present the US is Colombia’s biggest export market. The country wants to explore opportunities in Asian markets including the Middle East. Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru have come together to form Pacific Alliance to bolster their presence in Asian markets.