Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Executive Council last week approved a plethora of new development projects in the emirate, especially in the areas of social services, housing, health and education.
One of the projects, the 417 square kilometre Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad), with its enormous size and strategically planned approach, has been projected as the hub for manufacturing, logistics and trade across a number of sectors.
The development is set to become one of the world's largest industrial zones due to easy access to markets and lower operational costs and greater ease of doing business.
Kizad is located at the western end of the first stage of the container terminal. Phase 1 of Kizad is now 78 per cent complete.
Kizad which forms part of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 is located within Khalifa Port and features an advanced deepwater seaport. The budget for Phase One which covers 51 square kilometres is Dh26.5 billion.
The Khalifa Port and industrial Zone is "ahead of its construction schedule", Khalid Salmeen, executive vice-president of Abu Dhabi Port Company (ADPC) said earlier.
Port facilities
"The port is 90 per cent done, while Phase One of the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi is 78 per cent complete," confirmed Salmeen.
Khalifa Port is due to open in the fourth quarter of this year along with the completion of infrastructure work in the 51 square kilometre first phase (Area A of Kizad).
The project is the flagship of ADPC and the new port will have a capacity for 2 million containers and 12 million tonnes of general cargo.
Khalifa Port is an ultra-modern facility. The approach channel and basin have been dredged to a depth of 16 metres to accommodate the largest container ships.
Another key feature is the first semi-automated container terminal in the region.
The Port Island extends 6km offshore, has a principal quay wall of 3.2km and is linked to the mainland by a 1km bridge.
ADPC expects that by 2030 Kizad will account for more than 15 per cent of the non-oil GDP of Abu Dhabi, and 70 per cent of the emirate's total export of manufactured goods.
It is also expected that between 60 and 80 per cent of goods manufactured in Kizad will be exported, further boosting the economy of Abu Dhabi emirate.
The first and second phases of Kizad have been designed to accommodate various types of light, medium and heavy industries.
The targeted business sectors include petrochemicals, steel, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, chemicals, biotechnology, metals, food and beverages, logistics and transportation.
The strategy of Kizad is to attract word-class companies and establish international industry best practices through the zone.
Efficiency
The industrial zone will offer local, regional and international companies numerous benefits including business efficiency, easy access to various markets, low-cost operational environment and other essential support to achieve long-term competitive advantage.
Kizad also offers renewable leasehold for a period of 50 years with great flexibility for industries and companies that play a major role in the economy of Abu Dhabi.
In addition, 100 per cent foreign ownership will be allowed in certain strategic economic sectors.
Establishing businesses
Kizad has launched a One Stop Shop service aimed at helping businesses speed up the process of obtaining the necessary permits, licences, approvals and clearances from the government bodies and licensing authorities.
Investor requirements and all necessary information and services related to establishing businesses within the zone will be provided by a single point of contact who will be an industry specialist with the essential skills, knowledge and good understanding of the procedures.
