ADDED Signs cooperation Agreements with Khalifa Industrial Zone

Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), represented by its two affiliates, the Abu Dhabi Business Center, and the Industry Development Bureau, at the Press Club of ADDED's Headquarters, signed two cooperation agreements for cooperation with "ZonesCorp" and Abu Dhabi Ports Company at "Kizad".

The agreements aim at strengthening coordination and cooperation to simplify, facilitate and develop procedures for obtaining business and industry licenses and improve services for investors in "Kizad" and the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) through the introduction of electronic systems to contribute to the development and simplification of procedures.

The agreements were signed by Mohammed Omar Abdullah, the Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development, Mohammed Hassan Al Qamzi Chief Executive Officer. Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp), Khaled Salmeen Al Kuwari, CEO and Managing Director of Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad), Present at the signing ceremony were Abdul Aziz Hussain, the Director of the Industrial Development Bureau, Mohammed Al Rumaithi the Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Business Center and a number of officials from the three parties.

Mohammed Omar Abdullah said on the occasion that the two agreements emphasize the keenness of ADDED and its strategic partners, to achieve the goals of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 to modernize, develop government performance, enhance efficiency and increase the effectiveness of services rendered to the business sector, which requires collaboration and close coordination with government and semi-government agencies.

Undersecretary noted that within the responsibilities of ADDED as the competent authority for issuing licenses to commercial and industrial activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, ADDED's Business Centre' and its Industrial Development Bureau. The Department is determined to develop and strengthen the Emirate's business environment through the provision of better services and incentives for investors and businessmen, to turn Abu Dhabi into a favorite investment hub in the region.

The Undersecretary stressed the importance of concerted efforts of all service providers, government and semi-government institutions and the private sector to achieve the objectives and aspirations of the Government of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to provide better services and incentives to investors, in accordance with international standards and specifications that will enhance the competitiveness of the Emirate as the center of attraction to foreign direct investment.

ADDED's Undersecretary explained that the two agreements with ZonesCorp and Kizad, reflect the joint action and coordination between government agencies, in order to achieve the objectives and of the Economic Vision 2030, which focuses on growth and industrial development and their pivotal role in achieving sustainable economic development.

Mohammed Hassan Al Qamzi Chief Executive Officer of the Higher. Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones. (ZonesCorp) said that coordination with ADDED comes within the framework of the policies to promote services and facilities to the industrial investors, and reflects the spirit of cooperation between the two sides to develop the performance of Kizad industrial areas.

Al Qamzi, praised the strategic role of the Department of Economic Development in leading the Emirate's economy and achieving the goals of the Economic Vision 2030, noting that ZonesCorp had developed 5 industrial cities which extend over 50 square kilometers.

Al Qamzi noted that there more cities will be developed , to double the current area, including an integrated automobile city, in addition to new industrial cities in Al Ruwais in the Western Region and Madinat Zayed, together with the logistics city in Abu Dhabi. Al Qamzi said that ZonesCorp now issues industrial licenses in coordination with the Department of Economic Development and the Industry Development Bureau.

Al Qamzi said ZonesCorp offers facilities for Investors to obtain licenses for setting industrial establishments and factories, through this agreement with ADDED, and that both sides will work to reduce the ease procedures and minimize time required to enable the investors to have access to quick licensing.

Al Qamzi mentioned that there were priorities for certain sectors to invest in ZonesCorp which plans to expand quality of industries, hosted in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and the relevant government authorities, with the aim of creating industrial diversity required for the next phase, with a view to assisting the private sector to play a greater role in economic development in the Emirate Khaled Salmeen Al Kuwari, CEO and Managing Director of Khalifa Industrial Zone (Kizad), expressed thanks to the General Secretariat of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for its continued support, and commended the efforts of the participants to scratch and enter such agreements into force.

Al Kuwari said that Kizad's contribution to the economic diversification of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has started to bear fruit and that Kizad is moving in the right direction. He stated that massive investment were allocated for the designing of an integrated city with innovative industrial cluster, which embraces, Khalifa Port,, as a broader trade portal linked by a network of multiple modern modes of transport based on a comprehensive future vision in line with the Vision 2030.

Al Kuwari said that ZonesCorp currently extends over a total area of 418 square kilometers, h and hosts giant industrial investments. Emal is one of the prominent local firms in ZonesCorp. Foreign investment concentrate in heavy industries worth millions of dollars, in addition to the many light industries associated logistics services that has already started in the construction of their sites.

Al Kawari stressed the keenness of ZonesCorp to best serve c clients and modernize customer service as the engine of success, adding that ZonesCorp paid great attention to its customer service center, in Al Taweela, which offers more than 350 affordable customer services in one place, ensuring fast delivery and providing all the support to investors. Al Kawari praised the cooperation of the competent authorities to provide the necessary training and services in ZonesCorp site in Al Taweela.

The terms of the two agreements, state that ADDED represented by its two affiliates, the Abu Dhabi Business Center and the Industry Development Bureau, shall provide electronic systems for business and industrial licensing services and trade names at the Kizad's Investor Service Centre kizad and ZonesCorp as well.

ADDED, will authorise Kizad and ZonesCorp staff to conduct commercial and industrial licensing and trade names services, procedures in accordance with the provisions regulations and applied rules in this regard, and to act on behalf of Abu Dhabi Business Centre or the Industry Development Bureau, and in their names and interests In accordance with the mechanisms in place that were agreed upon.

The two agreements three annexes for the application of terms include collection mechanism for the financial collection concerning Abu Dhabi Business Center, the industrial licensing services and financial collection in relation to the Industry Development Bureau and economic activities.

Under the two agreements, the Department of Economic Development will train Kizad and ZonesCorp staff training on concerned regulations, procedures and electronic systems for commercial and industrial licensing services and trade names in compatibility with the e-Government security framework.

The agreements stated that the Abu Dhabi Business Center and Industrial Development Bureau shall conduct further check, control inspection and monitoring of violation cases and, to take appropriate actions. The agreements also indicated undertaking of periodic supervision and control on all licensed facilities and licensing services and procedures and transactions executed by Kizad and ZonesCorp within the geographic areas of each entity.

ADDED, Kizad and ZonesCorp agreed that Abu Dhabi Business center, and the Industry Development Bureau shall form separate working teams, with Kizad and ZonesCorp to oversee the implementation of the terms of this agreement.