Dubai CommerCity, the region's first dedicated e-commerce free zone, will be highlighting the latest industry trends at Seamless Middle East 2019, an event which Dubai CommerCity is supporting as a title sponsor for a second consecutive year. Held under the patronage of Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Seamless Middle East is being hosted at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center on April 10 and 11.
Bringing together entrepreneurs and innovators from across the entire e-commerce value chain, Seamless Middle East provides a platform for analysis of trends within the growing e-commerce sector in the region. At Seamless 2019, representatives of Dubai CommerCity will speak on the factors leading to the advancement of e-commerce in the region, and why Dubai is uniquely positioned to serve the emerging needs of e-commerce players. Dubai CommerCity will be also present in a panel discussion, taking place on the second day of the event, sharing expertise and insights on how businesses can attract the right kind of investors, and tackle potential hurdles on the way. New trends on e-commerce, payments, retail, identity and fintech will all be covered during Seamless Middle East.
Amna Lootah, Assistant Director General – Finance, Commercial & Customer relations Division Foster of DAFZA Innovation & Future Unit commented: "The e-commerce market is set to quadruple in volume over the next five years and the Middle East market has been identified by studies as being one of the region’s most ready for disruption and digital transformation. Dubai CommerCity’s continued participation at Seamless 2019 – one of the leading events in the e-commerce space - is testament of our commitment to shaping the future in Dubai, and adding value to our customers in the region. We see tremendous opportunities for further growth in the e-commerce sector, which is being led by new technology and innovation. Improvements to infrastructure, services and logistics in the region are also having a positive impact and these are all areas that we are investing in as Dubai CommerCity.”
The first e-commerce free zone in the MENA region, Dubai CommerCity is a strategic project, aimed at elevating Dubai’s position as a leading hub for e-commerce, laying the foundation of economic diversification and smart transformation. It is set to shape the future of e-commerce in Dubai, becoming a regional hub for the industry by providing unique services that add value to customers in the MENA region.
Dubai CommerCity will provide advanced opportunities for global and regional manufacturers, as well as distributors and global e-retailers. It will facilitate a business ecosystem for companies in the e-commerce industry such as e-payment gateway businesses, internet service providers and others. Divided into three main clusters - business, logistics and social, Dubai CommerCity will be a home for innovation, new technology, state of the art services and modern infrastructure.
Commenting on the project, Lootah added, “With the e-commerce sector in the UAE expected to reach US $26 billion by 2022, Dubai CommerCity will be a dedicated free zone for major international and regional manufacturers, as well as companies operating within the e-commerce sector, to set up their businesses in the GCC, MENA and East Asia regions. It will offer an encouraging and stimulating environment for future growth and investment opportunities.”
The sponsorship of the event by Dubai CommerCity, a joint venture between the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and the Wasl Asset Management Group, is in line with its mission to further the growth and success of Middle East’s e-commerce sector. According to a recent report commissioned by DAFZA and Dubai CommerCity, the MENASA region’s e-commerce sector is growing at 24.6% compound annual rate through to 2020.
The event follows the recent official groundbreaking of Dubai CommerCity, which took place in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of DAFZA, His Excellency Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of Wasl Asset Management Group, and senior dignitaries.
