Doing Business in UAE - Morison Menon

importance of the industrial sector and has
always belived it to be the pioneering sector of
economic development. The Industrial zones in
different part of the Emirate come under the
supervision of the Higher Corporation for Specialized
Economic Zones (HCSEZ). HCSEZ is
charged with creating a suitable enviornment for
industries being set up in Mussafah Industrial
City, Al Ruwais Industrial Area and the Al Ain
Industrial Area.
Higher Corporation for specialized Economic
Zones
The mission of the Higher Corporation for specialized
Economic Zones is to provide Economic
Parties with the best services that add value to
their works and to promote and develop the economic
investment in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi
so as to meet the needs of the Emirate
within the perspective of sustainable Economic
development.
The newly founded body, under chairmanship
of the Abu Dhabi Economic
Department, has the task of providing
support structures for establishment and
management of specialized zones in the
capital. The Abu Dhabi Department of
Economy has emerged over the last two
years as a driving force in the development
of non-oil industries in the emirate.
Mussafah Industrial City
Mussafah Industrial City is one of the most important
industrial and investment centres in the
emirate of Abu Dhabi. It is 30kms from the Abu
Dhabi City Centre, and boasts of very good road
network linking it with Abu Dhabi and the other
emirates. It is situated at about 30kms from
the Abu Dhabi International Airport and 40 Kms
from the Zayed Sea port (Port Zayed). The Mussafah
Industrial area covers 14 sq.kms and is
made up of six varieties of industrial zones based
on their activities.
Zone 1: Automobiles, Machineries & Spare Parts
shops
Zone 2: Food, Textile & Soft drink manufacturing
Zone 3: Engineering works, Wood and Herbal Indus-
tries
Zone 4: Chemical, Plastic & Petrochemical Indus-
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tries
Zone 5: Building & Construction related materials
Zone 6: Advanced Technology Industries
Availability of Natural Gas
The Mussafah Industrial Area is the only industrial
area which supplies industrial gas. Normal
Gas Unit Price is 4 Dirham/MBTU. Gas connection
installation cost depends on factors such as
size, distance and input. Land rent starts from
10 fils/sq. ft.
Starting a Project
An Industrial Project requires the approval from
General Industrial Corporation, Abu Dhabi Chamber
of Commerce and Industry and the Abu
Dhabi Municipality and Town Planning Department.
Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)
ICAD is located 30 kilometres from the centre
of Abu Dhabi City and 25 kilometres from Abu
Dhabi International Airport. It has shown very
rapid recent growth with 355 major manufacturing
companies employing more than 30,000
workers. The City provides all basic services and
facilities for a wide range of industrial activities.
Land Rental Rate (Approximate)
Standard: 50 fils per sq.ft
Sea side: AED 2 per sq.ft
Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone
Abu Dhabi government plans to construct a new
seaport and an industrial city at Taweelah situating
on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi coastline. The new
port and industrial zone are in line with the cur-
rent strategy of the local government to step up
its pace of development in industrial, economic
and tourism sectors. It is expected the new initiative
shall help to increase the competitiveness