By IANS,
Dubai : Spanish companies are looking at the possibility of using Dubai as a hub for pushing trade with India, China and the Gulf.
The development comes following a visit of a Spanish team comprising representatives of several top Spanish firms and members of Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the Basque region to the Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ).
“The Dubai Airport Free Zone will be presenting the benefits of having an office at Dubai Airport Free Zone at the Second Faro International 2008 Congress to be held in San Sebastian, Spain, Oct 14-15,” Jamal bin Marghoob, DAFZ deputy sales director, said in a statement.
“The invitation for Dubai to make a presentation at Faro, was received after a tour of the free zone facilities by representatives of the Gipuzkoa Chamber of Commerce in San Sebastian,” he added.
Over 300 companies are members of the chamber.
“Traditionally, San Sebastian has historic ties with Latin American countries,” said Asier Barandiaran, director of Gipuzkoa Chamber of Commerce.
“Spain is wishing to diversify and strengthen its presence in newly emerging economies in the Gulf, India and China. Dubai will be playing a prominent role as a trade hub to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region and the Middle East, and later to India and China according to potential investors and businessmen from Spain,” he added.
According to Bin Marghoob, DAFZ offers saving in time and the world-class facilities and services.
Established in 1996, DAFZ is home to around 1,500 multinational companies from various sectors.
Companies at the free zone enjoy 100 percent tax exemption, 100 percent ownership rights, and easy access to airport facilities, rapid cargo clearance and availability of competitively priced multinational talent in a cosmopolitan city.