1. What is the Flower Centre (DFC)?

It’s a transshipment centre for cool chain processes that enhance the product quality and maximise its shelf life. It is also a one-stop-shop for local and international traders, producers and exporters of cut flowers, plants, foliage and fruits and vegetables. We currently house around 27 tenants from 15 countries that offer various ranges of products and varieties of cut flowers, plants, foliage and fruits and vegetables.

2. How can we benefit from DFC?

DFC offers traders the following options:

They can join the international mix of tenants by setting up at DFC and trading with them in a local market and a free zone environment.

Access global markets through business opportunities with the tenants. The diverse collection of our tenants coming from different countries gives the opportunity to access markets.

Products sourced from different parts of the world, traders can enrich their product lines offered to the end-consumer.

DFC’s geographical location being at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe and , strategically places DFC as a hub. DFC is located at Dubai International, which enjoys the advantage of open skies policies and the connections of 130 airlines to more than 220 destinations.

To contact the tenants directly, please refer to DFC’s tenants’ profiles or log on to DFC’s website to ‘About Us’, ‘Our Business’ and ‘Our Tenants’.

3. Is the DFC only for Flowers?

No. All cargo that requires temperature controlled environment can be handled in our facility.

4. What perishable products can be imported into the UAE?

You must check the web site of Ministry of Environment and Water at www.uae.gov.ae/uaeagricent

5. How can we buy flowers from DFC?

We do not sell or buy flowers, you can contact one of our tenants directly and they will provide you with the required product and price lists. Refer to DFC tenants’ profiles where you can find a range of tenants with products from all over the world.

6. Where do the flowers mainly coming from?

Major markets of production are in Africa, Asia and .

7. Where do the flowers go?

Main consumption markets are GCC countries, CIS, Asia-Pacific countries and .

8. Does DFC have storage facilities?

Yes. DFC offers a fully automated storage and retrieval area that can store up to 1000 5-foot aircraft containers in three different temperature zones, between 2-6ºC, 6-12ºC, 12-18ºC. Sensitive products are stored in hermetically sealed bays, which prevent contamination with other perishables.

Another option is our rented chambers where companies can use these added-value activities such as bouquet making, labelling and packaging.

9. Can the chambers be used for storing fish or meat?

The concept of the chambers revolves only around flowers and performing added-value activities such as bouquet making, labelling and packaging. You cannot store fish or meat in the chambers.

10. How many offices and chambers are available in DFC?

There are 10 offices and 19 business units as well as 20 chambers.

11. What is the difference between an office and a business unit?

The difference is in the size and price. A Business Unit is a smaller unit for smaller start-up operations, whereas an Office Unit is for companies who have the interest in expanding. Please refer to DFC’s website for a full range of services and rates.

12. Does DFC promote the business development of the tenants?

Yes. We are actively promoting DFC tenants on our AGCC road shows and international exhibitions along with having them present in all our marketing strategies such as web site, brochures, enquiries, etc.

13. What is the procedure to set up an office within DFC?

Companies that wish to set up an office in DFC should complete the DFC application form and submit along with it a detailed business plan and annual financial statements for the last three years.

14. What are the costs and rules associated with issuing the trade license? How many visas are given to each company?

Costs will depend on numbers of services rendered to issue the trade license. Refer to DAFZA for a comprehensive overview on costs and regulations. As for visas, they are issued by DAFZA based on the area of the given office.

15. What are the benefits of setting up a business in the free zone?

Dubai Flower Centre’s Free Zone facilities provide attractive business incentives including 100% foreign ownership, a corporate tax holiday no personal income tax, freedom to repatriate both capital and profits and no currency restrictions.

16. Can a firm operate at DFC on a local trade license?

Yes. All perishable imports into the local market come through the DFC and require the appropriate UAE import requirements. If you have a local trade license you can apply for a chamber on the first floor, which is designated for local companies. This area will be a custom-cleared area.

17. What other documents are required to import flowers?

You will need to get a cut flowers import permit issued from the Ministry of Environment and Water. An import-code also should be issued by Dubai Customs.

18. Do we need a Phytosanitary Certificate for export out of the free zone environment?

Based on the request of the customer, the ministry of Environment and Water will issue a phytosanitary certificate based on the requirements of the final destination.

19. Do you have a testing facility room?

Yes. We have a testing facility room for tenants that want to conduct quality control tests.

20. Is there duty for importing into the AGCC countries?

Yes, 5% duty is levied.

21. Is vacuum cooling harmful for my shipments?

Much research has been conducted showing positive results indicating that with a proper cool chain the shelf-life of the product is extended. The only drawback has been the 10% loss in moisture on your fresh cut flowers.

22. Can DFC arrange flights from one destination to another? What are the freight rates?

DFC does not offer freight forwarding services. However, our business development team is trying to develop certain services based on the requirements of our tenants and other customers. The team is meeting with airlines regularly to discuss various opportunities, for example, interlining on certain routes, block space agreements based on the consolidated volumes of our customers and setting up trucking services in the regional market.

23. Is shipment always transported on cool dollies?

Shipment is only transported on cool dollies if your preferred carrier uses them. It is important to check this and bring it to the attention of the airline in case you are interested.

24. Do you have statistical information on the flower market in the region?

We are currently gathering data from our resources to build up reliable statistics that will indicate good information. In the meantime there is no reliable information available.