Case Study: Hamriyah Freezone – Multi-Sector Meet & Greet Programs in the UK & Geneva
Location: UK , Geneva
Overview
In early 2024, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), in partnership with Abiflo Ltd., organized a series of high-profile Meet & Greet programs across Europe. The aim was to introduce HFZA’s strategic advantages to businesses seeking expansion into the UAE. These exclusive events were held in Birmingham, UK, and Geneva, Switzerland, providing local business leaders with direct access to HFZA executives, collaboration opportunities, and personalized consultations on expanding into the UAE.
The programs spanned 4-6 days of one-on-one consultations at luxury venues like The Grand Hotel in Birmingham and The Clermont in London. These sessions provided in-depth guidance on market entry, logistics, and the advantages of operating in Hamriyah Free Zone. Evening networking events further strengthened relationships and facilitated collaboration.
UK Program: Meet & Greet in Birmingham (February 26, 2024)
Event Details:
- Date & Time: February 26, 2024, 5:30-7:00 pm
- Venue: University College Birmingham, Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JB
- Hosts: Abiflo Ltd., Technology Supply Chain Ltd., University College Birmingham
The Birmingham event attracted 120 top business leaders from diverse sectors including technology, manufacturing, luxury goods, and consulting. Attendees had exclusive access to His Excellency Mr. Saud Salim Al Mazrouei (Director of HFZA) and other key HFZA leaders.
Notable Businesses in Attendance:
- Football 4 Football (Julian Dowe) – Sports Consultancy
- Diamond Travel (Beverly Lindsay) – Luxury Travel
- West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) (Fiona Latter) – Public Sector
- Technology Supply Chain (Paul Cadman) – Business Network for Industrial Firms
- FIXDR (Lahki Singh) – Digital Transformation
- Visualytes (Nagendra Mishra) – Digital Innovation
- Blockchain Sensei (Michael Harding) – Blockchain Technology
Program Impact:
- Strategic Connections: Attendees engaged directly with UAE leaders, gaining valuable insights into expanding into Hamriyah Freezone and other UAE free zones.
- Exclusive Consultations: Local firms benefited from personalized guidance on topics such as taxation, logistics, and market entry strategies, driving strong interest in HFZA’s zero-tax, 100% ownership incentives.
- Prestige & Engagement: The presence of high-level UAE dignitaries raised the event’s status, attracting top business leaders from across the West Midlands.
Switzerland Program: Meet & Greet in Geneva (March 2024)
Event Details:
- Date & Time: March 2024 (exact date TBD)
- Venue: Le Verdaine, 18 Rue de Richemont, Geneva
- Hosts: Abiflo Ltd., Enza Testa Haegi (Présidente, Cercle des Dirigeants d’Entreprises)
The Geneva event brought together 80 high-profile business leaders from sectors like luxury goods, private aviation, finance, and technology. These leaders were eager to explore expansion opportunities in the UAE, with Hamriyah Freezone offering an attractive base for Middle Eastern market entry.
Notable Businesses in Attendance:
- De Witt (Viviane De Witt) – Luxury Swiss Watch Manufacturer
- LunaJets (George Sgurescu) – Private Aviation
- Cocoa Valley Swiss Group (Eric Stauffer) – Luxury Goods
- Sunecom SA (Alain Giger) – Telecommunications
- Wakfinance (Nicolas Godel) – Financial Services
- Sustainable Finance Geneva (Sanaz Javy) – Green Finance
Program Impact:
- Luxury & High-Tech Engagement: HFZA’s zero-tax policies appealed to luxury brands and high-tech industries seeking a foothold in the Middle East.
- Direct Consultations with UAE Leaders: Attendees received tailored advice on market entry, infrastructure solutions, and regulatory requirements from key HFZA executives, including Mr. Ali Al Jarwan (Commercial Director, HFZA).
- Multi-Sector Interest: Businesses from luxury, finance, and aviation sectors expressed immediate interest in HFZA’s offerings, recognizing the strategic advantages of UAE-based operations.
Program Impact: A Comprehensive Overview
Both the Birmingham and Geneva programs were instrumental in connecting over 200 businesses with HFZA leadership. Attendees received personalized consultations covering critical business aspects, such as:
- Logistics: Guidance on managing supply chains for seamless UAE market entry.
- Taxation & Compliance: Expert advice on leveraging zero-tax, 100% ownership policies.
- Market Entry Strategies: Tailored plans to ensure successful business expansion into Hamriyah Freezone and other UAE free zones.
Through these events, companies gained invaluable access to top-tier UAE decision-makers, unlocking new opportunities for expansion in the UAE, Middle East, and Asia.
Why Should Amsterdam Host a Similar Program?
A Meet & Greet program in Amsterdam would offer local Dutch businesses an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with UAE dignitaries and receive free, tailored consultations on expanding into the UAE. By partnering with Abiflo Ltd. and HFZA, Dutch businesses would gain insights into Hamriyah Freezone’s lucrative benefits, such as:
- Zero-Tax Incentives
- 100% Ownership Rights
- Strategic Global Connectivity
Such an event would attract leading entrepreneurs and industry players, following the success of similar programs in Birmingham and Geneva.
Conclusion
The Meet & Greet programs in Birmingham and Geneva proved immensely successful, connecting over 200 businesses with HFZA leadership. These events provided invaluable strategic consultations on UAE market entry and facilitated lasting business collaborations.
As we look ahead to the Amsterdam Meet & Greet in October 2024, we are confident that this model will provide Dutch businesses with unique opportunities to expand their operations into the UAE and beyond.
Contact Us to Discuss Further:
Abhishek Tripathi, CEO, Abiflo.
