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Nokia opens its regional distribution hub at Jafza

DUBAI — Nokia, one of the leading provider of mobile and IP network infrastructure, yesterday announced the opening of a regional distribution hub spread over an area of 12,500 square metres for mobile network infrastructure at the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza). At present, Nokia is committed to the Middle East and North Africa region with offices in the UAE, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan and is planning to further expand its presence in new key markets in the region.

When asked about the reason for choosing Jafza for regional distribution hub, Dr. Walid Moneimne, senior vice president, EMEA, Networks, Nokia, told Khaleej Times, “Nokia established its regional headquarters in Dubai in 1994. We chose Jafza as Jebel Ali Free Zone offers the ideal mix of world-class infrastructure, business-friendly government, skilled personnel and air, sea and land transportation links to help Nokia serve growing businesses in the Asian subcontinent, Middle East and Africa.’’

He also added: “Dubai hub is linked to Nokia factories, suppliers and customers through SAP and is close to the major markets in the Middle East and Africa. We are here because it is here we can most effectively, efficiently and conveniently serve our various growing regional markets. Dubai truly sets the standards of international service and logistics infrastructure. ’’

The Nokia hub warehouses a range of equipment, from base stations to power systems to antennas. The hub is a fast and flexible way to distribute products from factories to customers.

Dr Mohammed Al Banna, sales manager of Asia and The Pacific in Jafza, told the press, “Nokia will be part of the Jebel Ali Free Zone , expansion plan which will cover an area of 40 square kilometre and phase one, two and three is already completed. Nokia has recognised the value to its operations and customers in setting up in Jebel Ali Free Zone, which will have a new airport, and logistics city which will boost due to its strategic location. ’’Jebel Ali Port is the world's 10th largest and is surrounded by Jafza, which provides assistance to more than 5,000 companies from over 120 countries around the world.

Moneimne also said: “Jafza also offers proactive and aggressive customer service support, advice on business matching, delegation and market development. Initially we were looking for a distribution center on the subcontinent to serve that market, but when we saw the excellent facilities at Dubai's JFZ and its convenient location adjacent to what are also major markets for us in the Middle East and Africa, we were delighted to base our sixth global integrated hub in Dubai.’’ Nokia's Networks business group is also benefiting from another business-friendly Dubai development, having recently opened an office at Dubai Internet City.