Abu Dhabi took another step towards transforming itself into an industrial, services and logistics hub for regional and global markets with the launch of the second Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD 2).

ICAD 2, developed by the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (HCSEZ), is a 10 sq km mixed industrial estate that will accommodate a building materials cluster as well as a dedicated oil and gas industrial services complex.
Key investors in the city include Dubai Investment Company, Ali & Sons, Emirates International Investment Company and Bukhater Group.
“We aim to develop new and strategically important sectors by having HCSEZ as the main gate to all aspects of economic development,” said Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is both chairman of the Department of Planning and Economy in Abu Dhabi and of HCSEZ.  “This will be achieved by ensuring that HCSEZ provides integrated state-of-the-art infrastructure and services through specialised economic zones that offer investors a business-friendly environment.  Our objective is to attract and promote industries that are knowledge-, energy- and capital-intensive in order to transform Abu Dhabi into a manufacturing, services and logistics hub.”
The decision to launch ICAD 2 stems from the previous success of ICAD 1 which has been acknowledged for its swift issuance of government permits and licences, suitable land/areas for factories with fully developed infrastructure and a full set of dedicated business support services to name but a few, a spokesman for HCSEZ said.
“The success of ICAD 1 provides the confidence that ICAD 2 will also be equally successful.”
Speaking at the launch of ICAD 2, Sheikh Hamed observed that while oil would continue to play an important role in the development of Abu Dhabi for many years to come, oil alone would not take the emirate to the next level of socio-economic development. “We need to both grow and diversify our economic and industrial base,” he said.
“Today, our industrial base is composed of individual companies in fragmented industries.  In the near future, our goal is to create high-value strategic industry clusters and transform Abu Dhabi into an industrial, services and logistics hub, that aggressively pursues regional and global markets.”
“HCSEZ was established in June 2004 to develop these strategic industry clusters and to promote economic investment through the creation of Specialised Economic Zones.  HCSEZ will provide dedicated zones with integrated state-of-the-art infrastructure and services while offering an investor-friendly environment in which to do business.”
Sheikh Hamed announced said the special economic zones would target industry clusters such as basic metals, building products and construction materials, oil and gas services, agriculture and food processing, paper and wood products, automotive industries, logistics services, high-tech industries, financial services, pharmaceutical and medical companies and chemical and petrochemical industries.
“For HCSEZ to fulfill its responsibilities, we will train local talent so that the corporation can contribute to the productivity and development of Abu Dhabi. But the underlying goal in making any of this possible is to provide the right business environment,” stated Ali Zaal Al Mansouri, general manager of HCSEZ.