Dubai Industrial City marks 20 years of advancing Middle East’s manufacturing and logistics sectors

Dubai Industrial City marks its 20th anniversary as a top manufacturing and logistics center in the Middle East, showcasing the successful partnership between the public and private sectors.

Dubai Industrial City is one of the 10 dynamic business areas developed by TECOM Group PJSC. It was launched in November 2004 with the aim of promoting economic variety and driving industrial creativity in Dubai and the surrounding regions.

To celebrate 20 years of shared achievements, Dubai Industrial City hosted an elegant dinner at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers. The event welcomed esteemed guests, such as Her Excellency Eng. Alia Abdul Rahim Al Harmoudi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Sustainable Communities Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), His Excellency Ahmed Al Naqbi, CEO of Emirates Development Bank (EDB), Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group PJSC, and Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group. Together, they discussed plans for the future development of the industry.

For over two decades, Dubai Industrial City has developed a vibrant community of well-known global manufacturing companies. By the end of September 2024, this community grew by 11.5%, surpassing 1,100 businesses from local, regional, and international backgrounds, including major names like Unilever, A P Moeller Maersk, Patchi, and Al Barakah Dates. The workforce in the area now exceeds 17,000 individuals, marking a 13% growth compared to the same period last year. Additionally, the number of operational factories increased by 16% during the first nine months of this year, reaching over 350.

“Dubai Industrial City was established with the clear goal of establishing the UAE and Dubai as leaders in global manufacturing, and we have successfully fulfilled that goal over the last two decades,” stated Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group, representing Dubai Industrial City. “Our vibrant ecosystem acts as a comprehensive platform for international expansion and sustainable development, fostering industrial excellence and enhancing the global recognition of the ‘Made in UAE’ label.”

"Dubai Industrial City showcases its legacy through the achievements of over 1,100 clients from local, regional, and international markets, along with more than 350 active factories operating in the area. These businesses play a vital role in strengthening the manufacturing industry. We are committed to fostering innovation in this sector and preparing it for sustainable growth, in line with the goals of Operation 300bn, the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative, and the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’."

Collaborate for worldwide influence

Dubai Industrial City has strengthened its dedication to promoting outstanding practices in the industry for lasting growth by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the international technology firm Siemens.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will promote collaboration between the district and Siemens in various fields, such as Industrial Technology Transformation Index (ITTI) Assessments. Clients of Dubai Industrial City will gain knowledge about digitalization, sustainability, and improving operational efficiency through ITTI Assessments carried out under the UAE's Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) as part of this agreement.

The collaboration will allow the community of Dubai Industrial City to utilize Siemens’ Green Lean Digital Factory Roadmaps and Greenfield Digital Factory Planning services. This initiative aims to improve the competitiveness of factories in the area and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, Siemens will assist Dubai Industrial City with training and capacity development, as well as providing support for sustainability improvements, reinforcing the district’s goal to elevate the manufacturing industries in Dubai and the UAE.

Promoting Industry Growth Dubai Industrial City is experiencing significant expansion as it draws more and more international manufacturers. This year, it added 13.9 million square feet of industrial space. In the last two years, Dubai Industrial City has secured over AED 2 billion in investments from the private sector. Recently, it entered into musataha agreements for two major projects: MD Pharma Factory's AED 130 million pharmaceutical facility and OZON Pharmaceuticals' AED 293 million manufacturing center. Additionally, the Silver Line Gate Group started construction on a AED 200 million integrated facility at Dubai Industrial City this October.

Dubai Industrial City is strategically positioned near major global trade routes, including Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and the Etihad Rail freight terminal, as well as key national and regional road networks. This prime location provides comprehensive connectivity, facilitating smooth operations for a wide array of clients. The area features six specialized zones tailored for manufacturers in sectors such as base metals, machinery, minerals, food and beverage, transportation, and chemicals. These zones are designed with efficiency in mind, aimed at reducing waste and fostering a circular economy.

Dubai continues to be the top destination for attracting new foreign direct investments (FDI), and the recently introduced National Investment Strategy 2031 aims to increase the UAE's total FDI to AED 2.2 trillion by 2031. This opens up exciting opportunities for economic development, particularly in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and storage. In just the second quarter of this year, Dubai's manufacturing industry was valued at AED 10.6 billion, making up 9.1% of the city’s GDP of AED 116 billion during that time. Additionally, the transport and storage sector, valued at AED 15.85 billion, accounted for 13.6% of the city's overall GDP.

Dubai Industrial City is in line with the Operation 300bn initiative and the Make it in the Emirates program, encouraging investors, innovators, and developers to take advantage of its favorable manufacturing conditions. It also supports the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33,’ which aims to create new growth opportunities within the manufacturing sector as Dubai works to enhance its diverse economic foundation. The city brings these visions together with its Make Brilliance global awareness initiative, designed to connect manufacturers and industry leaders from around the globe in Dubai. Launched in May 2023, Make Brilliance marks Dubai Industrial City's strategic collaborations with organizations such as MoIAT, MOCCAE, EDB, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (Dubai DET) to advance the manufacturing landscape in Dubai and the UAE.

Dubai Industrial City showcases its dedication to innovation and sustainability by bringing together major global companies in the area, which promotes partnerships aimed at advancing a circular economy. This initiative is bolstered by Dubai Industrial City's push for renewable energy, as its clients produce more than 70 megawatts of clean energy each year.

The district celebrated its 20th anniversary by honoring various accomplishments that reflect the spirit of Make Brilliance. This included acknowledging its Strategic Partners, such as the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), the Economic Development Board (EDB), the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, the Dubai Development Authority, the Dubai Land Department, the Dubai Civil Defence, and the Dubai Police. The International Humanitarian City was honored for its outstanding contributions to humanitarian support by Dubai Industrial City. Additionally, Al Khayyat Investments, Dubatt Battery Recycling, and Neelkanth Cables received awards for their excellence in logistics, leadership in sustainability, and exploring new opportunities, respectively.

Unilever and Standard Carpets were both honored for their outstanding achievements in innovation.

These customers are part of Dubai Industrial City’s network of internationally recognized leaders who have played a crucial role in driving manufacturing excellence in the Middle East for over two decades.

The area’s top industrial center provides top-notch facilities, featuring land, storage options, and logistics spaces.

Dubai Industrial City is one of the many business hubs under the TECOM Group umbrella, which also encompasses places like Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Studio City, Dubai Production City, Dubai Knowledge Park, Dubai International Academic City, Dubai Design District (d3), and Dubai Science Park.