Mohammed tours Terminal 2, Dafza

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured today Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport, which has been upgraded to handle 7.5 million passengers per year.

Sheikh Mohammed, accompanied  by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, and top Dubai Airport officials, toured the terminal, which was developed as a first phase of a three-phase development. The terminal houses state-of-the-art passenger and baggage facilities including a 200 metre long and 90 metre wide main hall which will increase the terminal area to nearly 60,000 square metres.

During his tour, Sheikh Mohammed viewed the designs for the expansion of phases two and three of the terminal.

The Vice President said that Dubai Airport will remain at the top of his priorities as it represents the face of the country and is the symbol of its culture and progress.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Ahmed disclosed that the new hall at the terminal will be officially opened on April 29.

He said the terminal will be expanded and upgraded in phases to cater for the growing number of passengers using Dubai's budget carrier, flydubai, and the booming tourism sector.

Mohammed bin Rashid tours Dafza

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, paid today an inspection visit to the Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza).

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Director General of the Department of Protocol and Guesthouse in Dubai, accompanied the Vice President.

Sheikh Mohammed was briefed by Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of (Dafza), on the Dafza's strategy, which is deemed to be the best destination for free zone companies regionally, a significant contributor to the UAE economy.

It contributes 2.27 per cent of Dubai's GDP. The Dafza aims to provide integrated solutions so as to attract international and regional investors, who are looking forward to a unique and distinct working environment through its logistic services and national human resources. This can be achieved through a comfortable working environment which focuses on regional and global companies, utilising areas of about 800 square metres.

The Vice President was briefed in figures on the tremendous development of the Dafza since its inception up to 2012, when the volume of investment reached Dh3.5 billion in comparison to Dh235 million in 1996. The zone now has 15 buildings, with 1,600 companies operating there, including Boeing, Airbus, Mitsubishi, Chanel, Panasonic and others.

Al Zarooni also spoke about  the local and international awards and certificates won by  the Dafza in the areas of quality, excellence, management, information technology, information security, energy management, health and safety.

Al Zarooni, concluding the presentation, outlined plans for expansion and development of the buildings which will cost up to Dh260 million, including offices and service facilities. The new building will be completed in less than two years.

During the tour, Sheikh Mohammed met employees and customers, who greeted and shook hands with him.

At the end of the visit, Sheikh Mohammed toured a number of facilities and expressed his happiness at the development in the Dafza. He praised the efforts of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, and his team who are following up to meet the needs of customers and exerting efforts to secure all requirements to attract more companies as well to provide  all factors of stability, security, safety and logistic services, thereby increasing trust in the country and its institutions.

"The success achieved by the Dafza is a first step forward for more progress in the way of excellence that we thrive," Sheikh Mohammed said.

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