UAE’s industrial sector is witnessing significant development, says minister

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, inaugurated Standard Carpets Industries’ new factory ‘Standard Turf at Dubai Industrial City, a member of Tecom Group and one of the largest industrial ecosystems in the region.’ Standard Carpets is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of carpets, rugs, and artificial grass.

As part of a series of visits conducted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), also visited NWTN, a car assembly facility that produces the Emirati car brand Rabdan in Khalifa Economic Zones in Abu Dhabi (KEZAD).

Commenting on the occasion, Al Jaber said: “Thanks to the vision, guidance, and support of our leadership, the UAE’s industrial sector is witnessing significant development, further enhancing its vital contribution to diversifying the national economy and achieving sustainable economic development. The economy is supported by a business-friendly environment comprised of many competitive advantages.

Some of these advantages include the UAE’s advanced, tech-enabled infrastructure, which enhances growth opportunities for industries and increases competitiveness as well as harmonization with the best international standards. This helps UAE-based manufacturers compete globally based on the principles of innovation, sustainability, and shaping the future.”

He added: “The ministry plays a strategic role in enhancing the growth and development of the national industrial sector, supporting it to adopt 4IR solutions in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.

“We are committed to conducting field visits to organizations and facilities operating in the sector to enhance partnerships and cooperation. These tours also enable the ministry to share insights on future trends around industry enablers such as financing solutions and incentives in addition to promoting the adoption of innovation and advanced technology, as well as 4IR solutions to enhance the country’s position as a leading global hub for industries of the future. They also enable us to learn more about the needs, projects and ambitions of manufacturers, which supports our efforts to enhance the UAE’s position as a leading global hub for future industries.”

Al Jaber stressed the importance of the role played by industrial cities and zones in the country. Their advanced infrastructure, integrated solutions, logistics and unique capabilities help local manufacturers, companies, and investors. They also support local manufacturing and attract foreign capital.

He said: “The inauguration of the ‘Standard Turf’ factory in Dubai Industrial City, along with the company’s plans to expand its operations with an investment of Dhs 600 million, serve as an example of the success of the ministry’s efforts to promote the growth and development of the national industrial sector and boost local investment.”

He was accompanied by Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary of Industry Accelerators Sector at MoIAT, and Abdulla Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Growth at MoIAT.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said: “The NWTN facility is a testament to Abu Dhabi’s commitment to diversifying its economy, promoting sustainability, training, and providing high-skills job opportunities for UAE talents, and supporting advanced-tech manufacturing sector. The success of companies like NWTN and its eco-friendly, Rabdan brand, is a prime example of the success of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) in attracting foreign direct investments to the emirate’s manufacturing sector to grow and expand out of the region’s most competitive industrial hub.”

Al Zaabi adds: “Through strategic partnerships, we are creating new opportunities for cooperation, which will further enhance Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a hub for talents, manufacturers, businesses, and investments. The Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) is taking great strides to double the manufacturing sector’s size to Dhs172 billion, create 13,600 jobs with a focus on Emirati talent, and increase non-oil exports to Dhs178.8 billion by 2031. ADDED is spearheading the ADIS programs and initiatives to build a sustainable and globally competitive manufacturing base, focusing on attracting leading industrial companies to develop clusters in priority areas such as food, pharmaceuticals, and automotive.”

The inauguration marks the start of Standard Carpets’ expansion at Dubai Industrial City, where the company has been based since 2013 with a 1.3 million square-foot (sq ft) facility.

In 2021, Standard Carpets expanded its operations to increase production capacity by introducing two new product lines – grass carpets and hard flooring – and the UAE-based manufacturer’s total land area at Dubai Industrial City now totals almost 3 million sq ft – roughly the equivalent of 39 FIFA-compliant football pitches.

The company has already developed two of the five new plots totaling an area of 500,000 sq ft with an investment of Dhs 225 million. The remaining three plots, spanning 1.1 million sq ft, will be developed in the coming years with further investment of Dhs 375 million.

Standard Turf will host a grass yarn extrusion capacity of 12,000 tons and a finished grass carpet capacity of 161.4 million sq ft. Its factory and an additional bulk continuous filament (BCF) yarn plant, to be utilized by the broadloom and carpet tile division, are located on the two recently developed plots.

Commenting on the inauguration, Malek Al Malek, Chairman of TECOM Group PJSC, said: “The manufacturing sector is a critical component of the national economy and an essential pillar in the UAE’s and Dubai’s plans to achieve sustainable economic development. Our leadership’s vision is a core strength of our industrial ecosystem, which is consistently attracting global investors.