Industrial park being set up in Al Ain

Al Ain Dec 10, 2008 (WAM) - An Industrial Park is being developed in Al Ain, on 15-square kilometres area, where at least 40 medium to large size industrial units will be setup to manufacture construction materials. “Once completed, the park will have an integrated complex of building materials factories and associated support infrastructure. We will have a ‘one-stop shop’ for construction-related materials and equipment,” said Dr Jeremy Rowson, Arkan’s Chief Operating Officer, told Khaleej Times in an interview.
The project is being built by Arkan Building Materials Company, a subsidiary of Government-owned General Holding Corporation (GHC). This project, which started last June with the commencement of the construction of a new cement factory, will open new avenues of industrial activity in Abu Dhabi, said Dr Jeremy Rowson.
Arkan is an industrial investment company, which focuses on the building materials sector. Government owns 51 per cent shares in the company, while the UAE nationals hold remaining 49 per cent. As demand in the domestic market is growing at a fast pace, these substantial industrial projects will not only substitute high priced imported building materials but also it will build on the UAE’s ambitions to attract new technology and diversify its economic base. Over Dh15 billion worth of imports could be substituted over the next few years from manufacturing operations on the new park.
The Abu Dhabi-based company has identified around 70 different construction materials, which could be manufactured in the Industrial Park.