February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

JAFZA, the Jebel Ali Free Zone, is the UAE’s first and largest free zone, established in 1985 adjacent to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. JAFZA provides an integrated logistics and industrial ecosystem offering warehousing, manufacturing facilities, office space, and full free zone benefits including 100 percent foreign ownership, zero corporate tax for qualifying entities, and full repatriation of profits. The zone covers over 57 square kilometers and serves as the primary gateway for goods moving into and out of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia markets.

UAE Context

JAFZA is widely credited as the model that demonstrated the viability of the free zone concept in the Gulf region, inspiring dozens of subsequent free zones across the UAE and the broader Middle East. The zone’s strategic advantage lies in its direct integration with Jebel Ali Port (operated by DP World) and Al Maktoum International Airport, creating a seamless multimodal logistics corridor. JAFZA hosts over 9,000 companies from more than 100 countries, including major multinational manufacturers, logistics providers, and traders. The zone contributes a significant share of Dubai’s total trade and re-export activity.

Key Data

  • Established: 1985
  • Area: Over 57 square kilometers
  • Registered companies: Over 9,000 from 100+ countries
  • Trade contribution: Accounts for a substantial share of Dubai’s total non-oil trade
  • Adjacent infrastructure: Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport
  • Key sectors: Logistics, manufacturing, food processing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, electronics
  • Operator: DP World subsidiary

Significance for Vision 2031

JAFZA is foundational infrastructure for multiple Vision 2031 objectives. Its role in facilitating non-oil trade directly supports the AED 4 trillion trade target. The zone’s manufacturing facilities are critical to Operation 300bn’s industrial growth goals. As global supply chains reconfigure and the UAE positions itself as a nearshoring destination, JAFZA’s integrated port-zone-airport ecosystem gives it a competitive advantage in attracting the next generation of manufacturing and distribution investment.

  • DP World - The logistics company operating Jebel Ali Port adjacent to JAFZA
  • Free Zone - The regulatory model JAFZA pioneered in the UAE
  • DMCC - Dubai’s commodities-focused free zone
  • Operation 300bn - Industrial strategy leveraging JAFZA’s manufacturing infrastructure