Jafza, the flagship operation of Economic Zones World (EZW), attracted massive construction industry interest during the Big5 International Building and Construction Show 2012 held at the World Trade Centre recently. Jafza’s presence at the exhibition as Free Zone Partner of the Big5 led to seven business delegations, mainly from the Middle East, Asia and Europe, visiting Jafza facilities in Jebel Ali. Each of these delegations showed keen interest in setting-up their base in the Free Zone, and during the course of the 4-day event 7 companies signed Lease Agreements with Jafza. More than 1,500 industry leaders from different construction industry sectors visited the Jafza booth, which had prime location on the main concourse. Top EZW executives including Salma Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World, Talal Al Hashimi, Managing Director, EZW-UAE Region and Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza visited leading exhibitors, including Jafza companies, during the exhibition. Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO, Jafza, highlighted the construction boom in the Middle East and the emerging opportunities for construction industry in the region. Referring to a recent report by BofA Merrill Lynch Ibrahim Al Janahi said: “An estimated $4.2 trillion will be invested in construction projects across the Middle East and North Africa region by 2020, with the UAE representing the largest slice at $698 billion. At present, construction projects worth more than $1 trillion are underway in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar alone. “This affords major opportunities for industry majors in the construction sector from across the world. Jafza, Middle East’s trade and logistics hub, offers perfect platform to the investors from where they can reach the entire region efficiently.” From Gulf Today