Industry
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2015
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Manufacturing is playing an increasingly important role in the emirate as it pushes ahead with efforts to build a long-term growth path that is less dependent on hydrocarbons. In 2013 manufacturing contributed 5.7% to the emirate’s GDP, up from 5.3% in 2012 with the sector accounting for 12.6% of the country’s non-oil GDP in 2013. Meanwhile Abu Dhabi’s petrochemicals industry has a number of competitive advantages, such as the emirate’s vast crude oil reserves and gas resources, the UAE’s location and significant local demand. Local producers of construction materials are set to benefit from the upcoming construction projects in the emirate, which include projects in the oil and gas, infrastructure, transport and chemical sectors. Retail construction is also on the rise with Abu Dhabi’s retail stock growing strongly in recent years, from 1.7m sq metres of gross leasable area in 2011 to 1.8m in 2012 and 2.2m in 2013. Growing competition in the sector is expected to see players start to diversify their retail mix as more malls open in the coming three to four years.

This chapter contains an interview with Suhail Mubarak bin Athaeeth Al Ameri, CEO, Senaat.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Benefitting from a range of competitive advantages, manufacturing is set to see greater investment
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Manufacturing is playing an increasingly important role as the emirate pushes ahead with efforts to diversify its economy to build a long-term growth path that is less dependent on hydrocarbons. Abu Dhabi’s industrial strategy seeks to leverage competitive advantages in resources, location, infrastructure and governmental support to become a leader in a range of sectors, from petrochemicals to metals. Major Contributor Manufacturing contributed 5.7% to the emirate’s GDP in 2013, and accounted…

Interview

Suhail Mubarak bin Athaeeth Al Ameri, Former CEO, Senaat: Interview
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Interview:Suhail Mubarak bin Athaeeth Al Ameri Could stability in the construction sector lead to accelerated demand for value-added products? SUHAIL MUBARAK BIN ATHAEETH AL AMERI: The construction sector is one of the largest sectors in the GCC region. Over the last two years, the sector has recovered and regained the confidence of investors. Indeed, recent reports have estimated the value of planned construction projects in the GCC at around $1.09trn, suggesting a positive outlook for the…

Analysis

A commitment to quality: Enhancing standards to boost competitiveness and add value locally
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As Abu Dhabi develops its manufacturing sector, and particularly the high-value part of the industry, quality and conformity have become ever more important. To this end, the government has been putting in place a quality and conformity regulatory infrastructure. The overall aim is to improve standards to increase competitiveness on the international market, boost value domestically and enhance consumer safety. In 2009 the government passed a law establishing the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity…

Analysis

Industrial zones offer a range of competitive advantages
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Some of the emirate’s most attractive opportunities for industrial investment exist in the industrial zones established by the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (known as ZonesCorp). ZonesCorp has four industrial zones currently under operation, with three more in the pipeline. Its industrial zones are estimated to account for close to 50% of Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing GDP. Strategy These zones, located south of Musaffah, on the mainland near Abu Dhabi Island, and in Al Ain,…

Overview

More diverse retail mix supports positive sector forecasts
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Characterised by strong growth and increasing diversity, Abu Dhabi’s retail sector has come of age in recent years, as developers, retailers and franchises have moved to capitalise on its increasingly affluent and expanding population. Several landmark mall developments opened in 2013 and 2014, strengthening the emirate’s retail portfolio and catering to tourists and the well-heeled residents who had been drawn to neighbouring Dubai in the past. More mall openings are expected over the coming…