Abu Dhabi : Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) yesterday unveiled the 417 square kilometre Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad) in Abu Dhabi's Taweelah, the largest industrial zone in the region, with its phase one being launched with an investment of Dh26.5 billion.
"It's a special economic zone. Some foreign investors will be granted 100 per cent ownership," Dr Sultan Al Jaber, chairman of ADPC, told a news conference.
Tony Douglas, ADPC's chief executive, said there are 267 plots in total at Kizad.
Zone A or the first phase of Kizad is scheduled to become operational in the fourth quarter of 2012 just when the new Khalifa seaport opens to international business.
"There will be four more phases after that. The timeline of these would depend on the response we get for Zone A," said Douglas, adding that 63 per cent of the Khalifa port is now complete.
"Kizad will have low operational costs, access to the global markets, besides being an easy place for doing business," said Douglas. He said infrastructure development at Kizad is currently on, which includes roads, all the high voltage power, general utilities and seawater cooling. ADPC said Kizad, which is strategically located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is now ready to receive applications from potential tenants.
With one of the world's most advanced deepwater seaports and world-class infrastructure including Union Rail's network, Kizad will benefit from connectivity via sea, air, road and rail networks to ensure easy accessibility to and from the Industrial Zone. Kizad's Phase one is spread over 51 square kilometres.
Bright future
"In essence, it is an industrial zone that offers global industry a bright future and will generate skilled jobs long term for the emirate's population," said Douglas.
ADPC said Kizad is a cornerstone of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. It highlights the drive to diversify Abu Dhabi's economy in pursuit of sustainable growth which is less dependent on the oil and gas industries.
By 2030, Kizad will be expected to contribute around 15 per cent of Abu Dhabi's non-oil gross domestic product.
"It is anticipated that between 60 per cent and 80 per cent of the goods manufactured within Kizad will be exported, adding further value to the nation's economy," ADPC added.
ADPC was created in 2006 as part of the restructuring of the commercial ports sector in Abu Dhabi and given control and regulatory enforcement power over all commercial ports assets previously owned by the Abu Dhabi Seaports Authority.
The purpose of ADPC's Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) is to cater to a number of industrial clusters, including base metals, heavy machinery, transport vehicle assembly, chemicals, shipyards, building materials, processed foods and beverages, light manufacturing and assembly, small and medium enterprises, trade and logistics, information and communication technology and alternative energy.
Khalifa Port will be developed in five phases and will include a container handling terminal and piers for raw and bulk cargos.
