Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad Group) has announced the development of Kezad Business District, Abu Dhabi’s newest business destination. Photo: Kezad
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad Group) has announced the development of Kezad Business District, Abu Dhabi’s newest business destination. Photo: Kezad
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad Group) has announced the development of Kezad Business District, Abu Dhabi’s newest business destination. Photo: Kezad
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (Kezad Group) has announced the development of Kezad Business District, Abu Dhabi’s newest business destination. Photo: Kezad

Kezad Group to create 'next generation' business district in Abu Dhabi


  • English
  • Arabic

Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group (Kezad), the largest operator of integrated economic zones in the UAE, is developing a new commercial hub to attract more global investors to the emirate.

The Kezad Business District (KBD) in Al Ma’mourah will be developed as an integrated mixed-use commercial hub that includes offices, retail, residential, lodging, education, professional training and leisure components, the group said in a statement on Wednesday.

When completed, the district will serve as a site for investors to set up their regional headquarters, research and innovation centres, training facilities, service providers and educational institutions.

Kezad will deliver a "next-generation business district that will further elevate Abu Dhabi’s proposition to global investors," Abdullah Al Hameli, chief executive of Economic Cities and Free Zones at AD Ports Group, said.

“Aside from re-emphasising our commitment to provide our investors with end-to-end solutions to grow their businesses, Kezad Business District will offer development opportunities and catalyse new investments in the wider Kezad Al Ma’mourah master plan."

Kezad Group is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports Group and its infrastructure and services span 12 economic zones in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra Region, covering a total of 550 square kilometres. It provides strategic market access, lower operating costs and ease of doing business with more than 2,100 businesses from 17 key industrial sectors.

Abu Dhabi's economy expanded by 3.8 per cent annually in 2024 to reach an all-time high of Dh1.2 trillion as the emirate's non-oil sector continued to grow amid its diversification push.

The emirate's non-oil sector during the 12-month period grew 6.2 per cent to Dh644.3 billion, marking its highest annual contribution yet to the total gross domestic product at 54.7 per cent.

Abu Dhabi is developing non-oil sectors from aviation to manufacturing as it seeks to diversify its economy from oil revenue.

Initially planned over approximately three square kilometres, the business district area will be developed in phases, with infrastructure work currently under way, the group said.

The district intends to allow for close collaboration between academia, businesses and industry, it added.

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo

The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
​​​​​​​Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km

Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others

Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.

As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.

Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.

“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”

Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.

“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”

Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.

War and the virus
Updated: June 11, 2025, 7:04 AM`