Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) had more business last year as it expanded, contributing more than 3 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil growth and furthering the emirate’s economic diversification plans.
Kizad, part of Abu Dhabi Ports, signed 20 new agreements last year. Mana Al Mulla, chief executive of Kizad, said that the zone had expanded its “client base significantly across a diverse range of sectors and industries, through building long-term relationships with our tenants” to deliver strong results.
The operator added a new free zone, totalling 100 square kilometres, which houses eight logistics and four industrial companies, spanning industries such as aluminium, automotive, pharmaceuticals and food processing.
Integral Plastic Industries and Emirates Aluminium Rolling (Emiroll) will both build manufacturing plants in Kizad, at a total cost of Dh450 million. The zone will also house hardware for Dolphin Energy’s emergency pipeline repair system in a Dh55m facility.
Setting up in Kizad may be a choice for companies looking to leverage the adjacent Khalifa Port, which will have a major expansion to allow more cargo. The UAE serves as a logistics hub for companies looking to send products to other areas in the region as well as to Africa and Asia.
“[Kizad] also increases the attractiveness of Abu Dhabi as a place to conduct fast, interconnected, and demand-led business through implementing innovative technologies and efficient processes,” the company said.
The growth of Kizad helped to contribute 3.2 per cent to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP last year, in line with the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. The UAE is looking to decrease the proportion of GDP that comes from energy revenues by about 10 per cent over the next 10 to 15 years, replaced by the manufacturing sector..
lgraves@thenational.ae
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