Al Dhafra
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2017
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The region of Al Dhafra encompasses approximately 35,250 sq km and accounts for 60% of the total landmass of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The region is bound by a 350-km northern coastline and lies between Saudi Arabia to the west and south, Al Ain to the east and the Abu Dhabi region in the north-east. Al Dhafra is mostly desert and lies on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali), the world’s largest uninterrupted mass of sand. As a result, Al Dhafra, despite being the largest of Abu Dhabi’s regions, is the most sparsely populated. Al Dhafra’s economy is underpinned by its hydrocarbons industry; the region is home to around 90% of Abu Dhabi’s total oil reserves.

This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Further potential: Investments in varied sectors are set to boost growth and diversify the region’s economy
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The region of Al Dhafra encompasses approximately 35,250 sq km and accounts for 60% of the total landmass of the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The region is bound by a 350-km northern coastline and lies between Saudi Arabia to the west and south, Al Ain to the east and the Abu Dhabi region in the north-east. Al Dhafra is mostly desert and lies on the edge of the Arabian Peninsula’s Empty Quarter (Rub Al Khali), the world’s largest uninterrupted mass of sand. As a result, Al Dhafra, despite being…

Interview

Setting the standard: Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, on respecting tradition while fostering future economic development
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Interview: Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan How have industrial development and economic diversity policies progressed in Al Dhafra? SHEIKH HAMDAN BIN ZAYED AL NAHYAN: Any process of development and economic diversification begins with the growth of infrastructure. Al Dhafra makes up over two-thirds of Abu Dhabi emirate, and over the past year we have made many commitments and have achieved substantial success in infrastructure development. These achievements include the construction of housing…

Analysis

The nation’s first: In addition to transforming the energy sector, the Barakah nuclear power plant is set to bolster the local economy
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The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Al Dhafra represents a first for the UAE and the Gulf region, and marks a milestone along the nation’s journey towards a diversified energy mix that reduces reliance on hydrocarbons, while also falling in with the UAE’s vision of a more diversified economy and a more sustainable future. The project is one of a number of big ticket energy related projects that is boosting the local economy. Step By Step Located approximately 53 km southwest of the…