HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) has described the authority’s H1 2018 results as “remarkable”.

In a statement published this week, DAFZA said the first half of 2018 witnessed a year-on-year 11% growth in EBID and a 27% increase of new rental revenues.

DAFZA also registered a 10% increase in licensing revenues and a 31% increase in revenues from government services, “resulting in a total revenue growth of 8% in comparison to 2017 H1.”

While the free zone managed a 15% growth in the number of registered companies over the same period in 2017, it also attracted a 5% increase in multinational companies.

DAFZA attributed the rise to the “high-quality services that enable businesses to expand in the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia markets and explore the high investment opportunities in the region.”

According to Al Maktoum, the results prove DAFZA can assume a leading position among the most progressive free zones in the world.

“DAFZA’s remarkable performance results for 2018 H1 showcase the expected success of the plans developed by DAFZA to promote sustainable economic development in the Emirate,” said Al Maktoum. “It is also the result of the initiatives and investment incentives launched by the Government of Dubai which have been guided by the wise leadership in order to attract foreign direct investment from international companies.”