The zone covers about 1000 acres, of which 140 acres of Distripark Phase A has been fully developed. Operating for just three years, the free zone has already attracted more than 50 renowned international companies as well as local enterprises. Recently, BMW set up a new Regional Parts Distribution Centre to serve the markets of the Asia-Pacific region. Distripark Phase B, with an additional 300 acres, is due to be completed in the second quarter of 2004 to meet future needs.

The combination of services, facilities and benefits make Pelepas Free Zone an ideal business hub for all types of industries that require a fast, efficient, advanced and trouble-free business environment.

Bahrain creates new port

Bahrain has embarked on the creation of the new port of Kahlifa Bin Salman and a distribution free zone. The port has a depth of 15 metres and a quay length of 1800 metres, of which 600 metres will house a container terminal. The port will be ready for operation in early 2006 and a 96 hectare free zone will be established to support and expand the port operations.

The Kingdom of Bahrain, a financially and politically stable country, consists of 30 islands with a total area of 600kmsq and a population of 600,000. The main island, Manama, is 25km from the east coast of Saudi Arabia, to which it is linked by the King Fahad Causeway. Bahrain is strategically located mid-way along the western coast of the Arabian Gulf.

Eritrea plans free zones

Eritrea is hoping to develop free zones. Dr Araia Tseggai, chief executive officer of the State of Eritrea Free Zones Authority, said at a WFZC summit meeting in December 2003

that he believed the opportunities for commercial (including tourism) zones were promising. He expected Eritrea to make the most of its “soft assets” rather than the manufacturing sector. The country boasts 1000km of coastline and the Red Sea port of Masawa.

Moussa Oubah, promotion manager of the National Investment Promotion Agency of Djibouti, was also present at the summit meeting, as were delegates from throughout the world. Other countries represented from the Red Sea region and East Africa included Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Egypt approves more investments

Investments continue to flow into the free zones of Egypt and have encouraged the country’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) to establish an export-oriented free zone, the Badr Free Zone, 40km east of Cairo. The existing Cairo Zone (Nasr City) is at saturation point.

Two large centres for the liquefaction of natural gas to be exported to European countries – with total investments of $3.2bn from Spanish, English, Malaysian and Egyptian investors – are being constructed within the free zone system. In addition, two new petrochemical projects with investments of $431m will produce propylene and polypropylene to be exported to European and Arab countries.

Most recently, Leoni Wiring Systems, which produces parts for international automobile companies, such as Rover, Land Rover and BMW, has announced that it will extend its investment and establish four new extensions within the Egyptian free zones.