Shino Chacko is the Director – Internal Audit, of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone), Government of Sharjah,UAE.
SAIF Zone is one of the oldest, largest and fastest growing free trade zones in the Middle East. With a sterling reputation and strategic location, it is ranked high as a premier business and investment destination in the UAE and makes an ideal platform to launch regional and global operations
Shino Chacko is the Director – Internal Audit, of Sharjah Airport International Free Zone Authority (SAIF Zone), Government of Sharjah, UAE. SAIF Zone is one of the oldest, largest and fastest growing free trade zones in the Middle East. With a sterling reputation and strategic location, it is ranked high as a premier business and investment destination in the UAE and makes an ideal platform to launch regional and global operations. Dedicated to quality and excellence, SAIF-Zone is the symbol of efficient operations – the better alternative for business ventures in the UAE and beyond. With features as unique as these, it is little wonder that SAIF-Zone has registered phenomenal growth since its inception in 1995. Spread out over an area of 11 million square meters of industrial and commercial land, SAIF Zone today after 20 years in existence has more than 7,000 companies representing 149 countries operating out of it. This Free Zone provides jobs for around 47,000 persons and offers maximum amenities including labour camps for both male and female workers.Imagine a Free Trade Zone situated at the crossroads of major trading routes linking the East & West. Over the years, SAIF Zone has created an environment that facilitates smooth and seamless operations. It offers unique business advantages that include total 100% ownership of business, one-window operations that maximize efficiency, tax and duty exemptions, global market access and full repatriation of earnings. This combination of world-class infrastructure, valuedriven services and attractive incentives enables its customers to capitalize on significant opportunities in the region and to conduct business with the world.SAIF Zone offers excellent sea, land and air transport links with access to over 2 billion consumers across the GCC, the CIS, Asian sub-continent, parts of Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe. Clients enjoy a business savvy set-up with stateof- the-art facilities including pre-built warehouses in a choice of sizes, fully furnished and air conditioned executive suites and offices, container parking area, temporary storage capability, land on lease for unrestricted development and a host of other features. The Zone is, in fact, a unique ‘trade bridge’ that gives businesses unmatched logistical advantage not to mention savings in time and costly insurance. Freedom from bureaucratic red tape and paper pushing and a fast, efficient environment, committed entirely to business are other major advantages. SAIF Zone is the centerpiece of the Government of Sharjah’s commitment to free trade. Launched in 1995, it was the first free trade zone organized around an international airport in the Middle East, and when it received ISO 9001 certification, it also became the first airport free zone in the world. The Free-Zone is constantly evolving with the advances in communications technology. With the emergence of global trade blocks, businesses today have to be highly cohesive, responsible units in order to survive. Recognizing this challenge faced by private enterprises, the SAIF-Zone was built to promote and enhance business in an atmosphere free of regulations and red tape.
SAIF Zone is the centerpiece of the Government of Sharjah’s commitment to free trade. It was Launched in 1995
Perfect location with accessibility to both the Arabian Gulf and the Indian Ocean and the unbeatable logistical advantage of the ‘Sharjah Link’ make the SAIFZone the ideal business hub. At present, Shino Chacko is the Director – Internal Audit (Audit, Risk & Compliance) at SAIF Zone. He studied in St. Xavier’s High School, Jamnagar, did his Post Graduation from Gujarat University and completed his education from The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He was also National & University Basketball player. Shino has an experience of 20 years in the field of Auditing and Finance.He is IRCA (UK) Certified Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OSHAS 18001 and SA 8000 standards. He is a member of Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) and various other international bodies. Shino is the son of P.T Chacko, a retired Customs Officer, Gujarat, and Annamma, who retired as a matron from Irwin Hospital, Gujarat, now staying in Pulipravattathu House Venmony, Chengannur of Alappuzha district. He has an elder brother, Dr Shibu Chacko, who is working in Welcare Hospital, Dubai. Presently Shino lives in the UAE with his wife Mary Murphy and she has studied MCA. The couple is blessed with two children- Justin Shino and Jovan Shino.
