UAE - Mubasher: The retail and e-commerce sector of Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) grew by 10.6% with a total trade value of AED 37.6 billion despite the major challenges recently facing the international and regional economy.

Over 1,000 companies from 96 countries have contributed to the growth in Jafza's retail and general trading sector, with 39% of these companies from the Middle East, 30% from Asia, 15% from Europe, 9% from North America, and 7% from Africa, according to a press release on Monday.

Amid the increasing reliance on technology across the world, Jafza has introduced digital innovations to meet the logistics needs of the UAE's retail community.

Meanwhile, the business and logistics hub improves the flow of sea-to-air cargo by removing the processes of exit and entry from one zone to another.

The CEO and Managing Director of DP World, UAE Region, and CEO of Jafza, Mohammed Al Muallem, said: "The first five months of the year saw a 300% increase in consumer demand for e-commerce services."

Al Muallem added: "The recent pandemic has caused a shift in consumer buying habits, a behavior that impacted a positive outcome proving that the internet is the major catalyst in shaping human lives and digital profiles."