Ajman Free Zone has released duringWETEX 2021 its first ‘Annual Sustainability Report’ as part of its efforts to protect the environment, advance the economy, and promote social sustainability in line withAjman Vision 2021 and the Emirates Energy Strategy 2050. During its first-ever participation, Ajman Free Zonealso unveiled its“Sustainability Award” for Free Zone Companies, an initiative designed to establish the free zone’s leadership, increase its attractivenessand competitiveness, and position it as a driving force behind Ajman’s sustainable development.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, The Chairman of the Boardof Ajman Free Zone Authority, said that this year’s WETEX served as an opportunity for the free zone to showcase its latest solutions and innovations in keeping with Ajman’s sustainable development process.

On the recently released ‘Annual Sustainability Report,’ H.H. Al Nuaimi noted that the reporthighlights the role of Ajman Free Zone in the sustainability initiatives of both Ajman and the UAE and their commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030. He also pointed out the importance of laying the foundation for a sustainable economic growth while enhancing environmental security and ensuring efficient consumption of natural resources.

H.H. Al Nuaimi said: “Ajman Free Zone is keen to follow a sustainable approach for all its operations and services, as well as enhance its cooperation with partners and stakeholders to advance the sustainable developmentframework. We have been working to align our initiatives with the priorities and objectives of Ajman Vision 2021, UAE Vision 2021, and the National Agenda, a move that reflects our determination to contribute to SDGs. We are proud to launch our sustainability report, which will allow us to chart our pathtowardsa sustainable business performance in the coming years and make sustainability a primary priority in our decisions, initiatives, and long-term goals.”

He added: “The‘Annual Sustainability Report’forms part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and reflects our sustainable growth path over the years, including the highly challenging year of 2020. Last year, we kept growing despite the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the number of registered companies in Ajman Free Zone increased from 2019 to 2021. As one of the most prominent free zones in the country, our commitment is to provide an investment-friendly environment, combine business growth and sustainability, and make a positive impact in everything we do. Through this pledge, we are confident that we can attract more clean energy and green companies and suppliers of environment-friendly materials and products.”

H.E. Eng. Ali AlSuwaidi, DirectorGeneral of Ajman Free Zone, also explained that the sustainability report confirms the free zone’s commitment to adoptthe Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, which are key to fulfilling its social and environmental responsibilities in line with SDGs and the sustainability goals of Ajman and the UAE.

AlSuwaidi said: “The sustainability report is also a tool for us to monitor our sustainable development projects at the local and national levels. It provides a detailed explanation of our approaches and work mechanisms in managing our environmental, social, and economic impact. It also highlights our progress in implementing our strategies and business plans in relation to SDGs.”

The first edition of the report includes a comprehensive disclosure of Ajman Free Zone’s sustainable performance in 2020. The free zone used the main GRI standards as a reference in drafting the report, and it is currently working on developing a mechanism to measure its compliance with GRI standards.

Sustainability Award: Strong support for Ajman Free Zone partners

During WETEX, Ajman Free Zone also announced its ‘Sustainability Award’ launched to help accelerate Ajman’s shift to a green economy and promote the green projects of both the free zone and the emirate. This step reflects Ajman Free Zone’s commitment to support climate actions in line with its CSR agenda and create environment-friendly innovations to achieve sustainability.

The ‘Sustainability Award,’ which is bestowed on Ajman Free Zone’s business partners, is divided into five categories, namely ‘Green Initiatives;’‘Green Projects;’‘Green Technology;’‘Green Training and Awareness Programs;’and ‘Environment-Friendly Companies and Brands.’ By launching the award, Ajman Free Zone is encouraging its business partners to integrate sustainable practices into their respective businesses. By adopting environment-friendly business methodologies, they will have access to relevant financial support as well as fulfill their social and environmental responsibilities more effectively.

New packages for water, clean energy, and environmental technology companies

Ajman Free Zone revealed as well, its new packages for companies involved in water technology, sustainable solutions, and clean energy innovations. The announcement reflects its continuous support for the growth and expansion of companies, especially those involved in sustainability and other priority areas. The packages include registration fee exemption; a 15 percent discount on the rent of the free zone’s environment-friendly warehouses; and a 50 percent discount on Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s membershipfees.  

Apart from supporting business growth and expansion, Ajman Free Zone also seeks to stimulate more commercial and investment activities in the emirate and the UAE, advance climate actions, and accelerate their sustainable economic growth. All these are in line with the country’s preparations for the next 50 years, which willopen a new era of progress and development for the UAE. The free zone’s strategy is designed to establisha culture of environmental commitment and green transformation in the country as drivers of sustainable economic and social development.

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