Demand for Abu Dhabi industrial land surges in first half of 2021

Demand for industrial land continues to rise in Abu Dhabi despite the impact of the pandemic on businesses, land lease data released by AD Ports shows.

In the first half of 2021, more than 2.2 million square metres of its Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster of AD Ports have been leased during the first half of 2021 to local, regional, and international businesses.

Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster, comprising Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) and ZonesCorp, has a total of 550 square kilometres of industrial and commercial land. Demand has been growing throughout 2021, particularly from key economic sectors such as metals, food, auto, technology, and chemicals.

Kizad and ZonesCorp reported significant increases in the foreign direct investment (FDI) in first half of 2021, with demand from multiple adjacent sectors including e-commerce, plastics, logistics, and light manufacturing.

Abdullah Al Hameli, head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at AD Ports Group, said the rising demand on leasable land in Abu Dhabi for trade, logistics, and industrial activities is a clear indication that the business ecosystem in the emirate continues to strengthen and grow.

“Thanks to the vision of the wise leadership of the UAE, Abu Dhabi is rapidly evolving to be the optimum destination for manufacturing and investment in the region.

“Leveraging our strategic location, at the heart of the world and the crossroads between the east and the west, the industrial zones in Abu Dhabi are quickly evolving into global hubs for key sectors where businesses cater to the needs of almost 4.5 billion consumers in immediate geographic regions,” said Al Hameli said in a statement.

The industrial zones in Abu Dhabi are currently home to more than 1,500 businesses including some of the world’s leading global industrial players in a variety of sectors including advanced manufacturing, life sciences and biopharma, food and agri-tech, machinery and equipment, maritime, logistics, chemicals, and plastics.

The cluster is embarking on major projects such as The Life Science Park, which has been designed to cater for the growing demand of vital sectors, such as the pharmaceutical, medical equipment, research and development, education, as well as other health-related sectors.

AD Ports Group also has recently announced the completion of 1.38 million sqm of commercial and retail areas at Rahayel Automotive and Mobility City, the first integrated hub for the automotive industry in the region to accommodate a full range of auto-related businesses and supporting services.

AD Ports Group’s Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster has been serving as the catalyst and enabler of sustainable projects in the emirate. In Kizad, Helios Industry, a privately-owned special project vehicle company (SPV), is set to invest over Dh3.67 billion in the construction of a new green ammonia facility that will produce 200,000 tonnes of green ammonia from 40,000 tonnes of green hydrogen.

— issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com