Abu Dhabi Ports completes key milestone with China-UAE partnership

The first purpose-built accommodation project at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, was launched earlier this week, with housing and community amenities for 5,000 management and operational employees.

The 75,000 sqm accommodation plot is located in Area B of KIZAD, within the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone, which was established in conjunction with Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Co-operation Investment Company (JOCIC).

The project will house four staff quarters, one management dormitory and two supporting rooms, as well as supporting community living infrastructure to be constructed over two phases, the first of which is due for completion by March 2020.

The milestone development reinforces JOCIC’s commitment to the 50-year cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports, which has also led to an initiative by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China to facilitate for Chinese companies to start up in KIZAD.

The accommodation is a major step forward in KIZAD’s approach to better business and competitive advantage through speed, cost, scale and community.

Samir Chaturvedi, CEO, KIZAD said: “The timing for this great step forward could not be better. More than a quarter of the UAE’s Asian imports come from China. With such a stable and sustainable relationship with our Chinese partner, an investment in manpower is one of the most valuable decisions you can make, and this iconic and collaborative project reinforces the confidence and mutual benefits we achieve through our strategic partnership.”

JOCIC, which is engaged in investing, constructing, operating and managing industrial zones abroad, as well as investing in real estate development and other projects, has already attracted the interest and investment of Chinese firms in KIZAD, with investments of more than AED 6.2 billion.

The longstanding economic relationship between China and the UAE was further strengthened last year with the official inauguration of the COSCO Shipping Ports’ Abu Dhabi Terminal at Khalifa Port, positioning Abu Dhabi as a key regional hub for COSCO’s global network of 285 berths at 37 ports, and for China’s Belt & Road maritime trade route.

About Abu Dhabi Ports

Established in 2006, Abu Dhabi Ports is the master developer, operator and manager of commercial and community ports within the emirate of Abu Dhabi, in addition to the Port of Fujairah, as well as the trade and logistics hub, the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD). Located within KIZAD is the Khalifa Port Free Trade Zone, the largest zone of its type in the Middle East region, which attracts direct investments to over 100 km2 of free zone opportunities.

Inaugurated on Dec 12, 2012 by President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Khalifa Port is the flagship port of Abu Dhabi Ports and is considered to be the first semi-automated container port in the region. Abu Dhabi Ports also owns 50% of Abu Dhabi Terminals, which operates and manages Khalifa Port Container Terminal with a full suite of logistics solutions to benefit trade partners and shipping lines. In addition, the recent deal Abu Dhabi Ports signed with COSCO SHIPPING Ports Limited, which commenced operations in 2019, will raise the annual capacity to 6 million TEU in both container terminals.

Abu Dhabi Ports’ subsidiaries include: Abu Dhabi Marine Services “SAFEEN”, which provides a comprehensive range of marine, navigational and ancillary quayside services as well as VTS Services and fleet maintenance in a safe, secure and efficient manner; Maqta Gateway, developer and operator of the first port community in the emirate; and, Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, the first permanent cruise terminal in the region. To meet the increasing demand of cruise liners and passengers, Sir Bani Yas Cruise Beach was developed, offerings cruise ship passengers a new beach destination with unmatched tourism experiences. Additionally, Abu Dhabi Ports also manages the Maritime Training Centre at Musaffah Port.

In 2019, Abu Dhabi Ports became the first organisation in the Middle East to receive Investor in People (IIP) Platinum Accreditation, an international standard for people management. It also received the Palladium Balanced Scorecard Hall of Fame Award for Executing Strategy, which recognises organisations whose well-designed strategies and sustained excellence in execution have yielded industry-leading performance.