Government

The number of industrial facilities operating in Abu Dhabi increased by more than 57 per cent in 2019to reach 66 facilities recording a combined investment value of AED 6.29 billion - as opposed to 42 facilities in 2018, in accordance to the new edition of the annual Industrial Activity report issued by the Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).

The recent IDB report highlights the most important statistics showcasing the local industrial sectors performance during the previous year. A total of 1,552 industrial licenses, comprising 811 with Production status; 535, Under Process; and 206, Industry Pioneers, were released by the end of 2019.

H.E. Rashed Abdul Karim Al Balooshi, Undersecretary, ADDED, said that the report reflects the key role of IDB in fostering a business-friendly environment in Abu Dhabi and making sure a positive and preferable investment environment for the local industrial sector. Al Balooshi added that IDB continues to design solutions to the challenges facing the industrial sector through the implementation of strategic initiatives that support the industrial investors.

Moreover, Al Balooshi pointed out the positive impact of the Electricity Tariff Incentive Program (ETIP) on the industrial sector. ETIP was launched last year as part of the Abu Dhabi Governments accelerator programme Ghadan 21.A new initiative to be launched this February is also expected to contribute to the sectors growth by reinforcing public-private partnerships and increasing the private sectors contribution to Abu Dhabis gross domestic product (GDP).

Al Balooshi attributed the growth in the issued industrial licenses in Abu Dhabi over the past three years to IDBs ongoing efforts, noting a 530 percent growth in 2019to reach139 newly issued licenses compared to 22 licenses in 2016.

H.E. emphasized ADDEDs keenness to facilitate licensing procedures for industrial facilities, with the aim of attracting more foreign and local investments to the industrial sector. While 2019 witnessed a considerable growth in the number of issued industrial licenses in Abu Dhabi, ADDED aims to double the number in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain City, and Al Dhafra.

Under the Industrial Pioneers category, the 2019 Industrial Activity report recorded a 11.20 per cent growth compared to 2018, which reflects the industrial investors interest to seek investment opportunities in Abu Dhabi. The number of industrial facilities with Production status also increased in 2019 by 57.14 per cent compared to the figures issued in 2018, Al Balooshi said.

He added: These figures give credence to ADDEDs endeavors geared towards boosting Abu Dhabis sustainable development and economic diversification efforts, with a special emphasis on the non-oil sectors. Our ongoing endeavors are in response to our leaders directive to raise the emirates global competitiveness. ADDED will remain a key contributor to the sustainable development of various non-oil sectors.

The IDB report also recorded a5.7 per cent increase in industrial license renewals applied by facilities with Production status. A total of 732 licenses were issued in 2019 compared with 696 licenses in 2018. Those with Under Process status saw a cumulative growth rate of9.53 per cent since 2016. An increase of 3.32 per cent was posted in 2019in comparison to 2018.

For his part, H.E. Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Executive Director, ADDEDs IDB, reiterated that the bureau would continue to support the industrial sector, one of the key economic drivers in Abu Dhabi. He also highlighted IDBs achievements in 2019 in line with Abu Dhabi Governments vision towards supporting the non-oil sectors.

Al Mansouri pointed to the industrial sectors positive performance last year. The industrial licenses issued to facilities under Production and Under Process categories in Abu Dhabi city accounted for more than 74.6 per cent of the total industrial licenses issued in Abu Dhabi, followed by 22.2per cent in Al Ain city and 3.2 per cent in Al Dhafra region.

He added: IDB achieved its objectives in 2019. We continue to encourage local and foreign investors to initiate their industrial businesses in Abu Dhabi by adopting leading programs and initiatives launched and executed by ADDED. These programs and initiatives are designed to support the industrial facilities and increase the productivity of local non-oil products.

In addition, as per IDBs Industrial Activity report, the 811 industrial licenses issued to facilities with Production status covered various manufacturing activities. The construction and glass industries constituted the majority with a total of 170 licenses, followed by metal industries at 160 and rubber, plastic, and fiberglass industriesat90 licenses.

The report indicated that 120 licenses were issued to companies with Under Process status in construction and glass industries; 95, metal industries; and 57, rubber, plastic and fiberglass industries. A total of 33Industry Pioneers licenses were issued to facilities in chemical and food industries, respectively, while 32 were released to construction and glass industries with the same classification.

Majority of Abu Dhabis industrial licenses were issued to construction and glass industries, which accounted for 20.7 percent; metal industries, 17.7 percent; and rubber, plastic and fiberglass industries, 10.6 percent.

The report highlighted that the number of active industrial licenses issued in the emirate increased to 11.97 percent since 2016.Meanwhile, the number of licenses with Production status accounted for 52.26 percent of the total industrial licenses issued in Abu Dhabi until the end of 2019,630 of which were issued in Abu Dhabi city; 159 in Al Aincity; and 22 in Al Dhafra region.

Industrial facilities with Under Process status accounted for 34.47 percent of the total licenses issued in the emirate. Around 374 licenses were issued in Abu Dhabi city; 140 in Al Ain city; and 21 in Al Dhafra region. As per Industry Pioneers licenses, IDB issued 206 licenses last year, constituting 13.27 percent of the total licenses issued.

According to the report, ADDED issued 139 new Industry Pioneers licenses in 2019,with a total investment value of around AED 8.43 billion in which chemical industries accounted for more than AED 7.2 billion. The investment value of the metal industries with Industrial Pioneers licenses reached approximately AED 249.2 million.

Additionally, 66 industrial licenses were issued to establishments with Production status that were previously classified as Under Process, achieving a 57.14 percent growth compared to42 transferred licenses in 2018.The investment value of these licenses amounted to AED 6.29 billion, with the metal industries accounting for around AED 2.899 billion while the wood and paper industries constituting more than AED 1.4 billion.

Similarly, under renewed licenses with Production status, a 2.66 percent growth rate was achieved in 2019to reach 732 compared to 713 licenses in 2018. Likewise, 249 industrial licenses of facilities with Under Process status were renewed last year compared to 241 licenses in 2018, recording a 3.32 per cent increase.

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