Central Enterprise in Hong Kong：It is a large state-owned enterprise group in Hong Kong and one of the four largest Chinese enterprises in Hong Kong, with its headquarter located in Hong Kong, China.
China Merchants is the pioneer of China's national industry and commerce, formerly known as the China Merchants Shipbuilding Bureau (CMB), which was founded in 1872. 2022 will mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the CMB.
Comprehensive central enterprises: China Merchants Group (CMG) is an important state-owned backbone enterprise under the direct control of the central government, a comprehensive enterprise with diversified businesses and two Fortune 500 companies.
It is the sole authority for the management and control of the port and the FTZ, and the only interface between companies in the FTZ and other Djiboutian government agencies.
GHIH is wholly owned by DPFZA, which carries out various commercial activities on behalf of the Authority and in which GHIH is a shareholder.
Chairman of Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority
Chairman of Khor Ambado FZCO
Vice Chairman of International Djibouti Industrial Parks Operation FZCO
Executive Vice President of China Merchants Group
Chairman of International Djibouti Industrial Parks Operation FZCO
Vice Chairman of Khor Ambado FZCO
CEO of International Djibouti Industrial Parks Operation
The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone (DIFTZ) is a model of China-Africa cooperation in the new era and an important carrier of China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. Supported by the governments of Djibouti and China, the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority and the China Merchants Group have jointly established the DIFTZ. Leveraging the century-old business operations and Shenzhen Shekou development experience of the China Merchants Group, DIFTZ practices the "Port-Park-City" (PPC) integrated development model. It serves as a platform for Chinese products, industries, and services to go global, helping Djibouti become a commercial and shipping center that radiates to Africa, the Middle East, and even Europe, becoming a new African gateway connecting the world.
The DIFTZ has a total planned area of 48.2 square kilometers, with the first phase covering 6 square kilometers and the starting area of 2.4 square kilometers. It includes 1.71 million square meters of rentable land with a 99-year usage right, 140,000 square meters of warehouses, over 300,000 square meters of yard space, as well as office buildings, hotels, automated electronic gates, customs buildings, comprehensive service centers, and customs inspection facilities. The free trade zone implements a zero-tax policy, except for employees' personal income tax, all other taxes are exempt, and products produced and processed in the zone enjoying various trade preferences such as the US AGOA and EU EBA, with duty-free and quota-free exports. Most goods exported to COMESA and China also enjoy duty-free status.
Since its opening in 2018, DIFTZ has developed rapidly, achieving fruitful cooperation results. The zone is dedicated to becoming an international trade and industrial comprehensive service platform with global influence, providing end-to-end integrated supply chain solutions. Through an online and offline single-window comprehensive service platform, it achieves one-stop efficient services for government affairs, customs affairs, and public services. The China-Africa sea-air express (sea-air multimodal transport) and zone-port supply chain services are highly praised by customers. The zone has attracted 404 enterprises, with a warehouse rental rate of 100%, and operational efficiency is continuously improving. The free trade zone was awarded "Global Top Ten Free Trade Zones of the Year" by the Financial Times FDI magazine and has become a new engine for Djibouti's economic development and an important node in the East African logistics corridor.
The total planned area
Land right of 99 years
Warehouse
Starting area of diftz
Utilizing Djibouti's excellent geographical advantages, developed logistics system, relaxed and stable financial environment, and the preferential policies of DIFTZ, to build DIFTZ into a new gateway to Africa.
Customer-oriented, focusing on customers, products, and processes. By relying on government-enterprise cooperation, we aim to promote land, warehouse, and service product sales through trade flow, creating a trade and industrial comprehensive service platform with international competitiveness.
Leveraging the excellent comprehensive service platform of DIFTZ to promote trade resource sharing among customers inside and outside the free trade zone, and utilizing efficient logistics (zone-port logistics + sea-air multimodal transport) to help customers explore African and Middle Eastern markets while building the free trade zone into a regional industry trading, settlement, and delivery market.
The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone continues to thrive, with fruitful cooperation outcomes. The cumulative number of enterprises in the zone has reached 404, with a 100% occupancy rate of logistics warehouses. Operational efficiency continues to improve, and the range of services offered is increasingly diverse. The Djibouti International Free Trade Zone has become an internationally competitive trade and industrial comprehensive service platform, effectively driving local economic and social development and gradually becoming a new engine of Djibouti's economic growth and an important logistics node in the East African logistics corridor.
After years of construction, development, and vigorous investment promotion, the number of enterprises entering the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone continued to rise. The volume of trade cargo operations increased annually, and long-term cooperative relationships were established with many large domestic and foreign enterprises, further consolidating its position as the largest free trade zone in Africa and a key logistics hub.
In 2022, the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone reached a new milestone in infrastructure development. Office buildings, hotels, and logistics warehouses were all completed and put into use, laying a solid foundation for enterprises to develop and conduct trade and logistics activities within the zone.
To expand into markets in neighboring countries, the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone launched the China-Africa Sea-Air Express, covering 38 African countries and 56 cities, greatly improving logistics and trade efficiency.
In 2020, the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone launched the China-Africa cross-border B2B e-commerce platform Djimart.com and established an offline exhibition center within the free trade zone. This significantly promoted trade exchanges between China and Africa.
In 2019, one year after its opening, the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone was selected as one of the "Top 10 Global Free Trade Zones of 2019" by FDI Magazine, part of the Financial Times Group. This recognition further enhanced its influence in the international trade and investment community.
On July 5, 2018, a grand opening ceremony was held for the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone. The event was attended by the heads of state from five countries - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Somalia, and Sudan - as well as the Chairman of the African Union, all gathered in Djibouti to witness the ceremony.
The President of Djibouti officially announced the launch of the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone, invested by China Merchants Group. This zone, covering a total area of 42 square kilometers, is set to become the largest trade free zone on the African continent. The initiation of this project is an important conduit of China's Belt and Road Initiative, enhancing Djibouti's role as a key hub in African and global trade logistics.
