Al Hanoo Holding, developer of the Emirates Industrial City (EIC) project in Sharjah, says it is determined to complete the project this year despite the current global financial crisis that has caused many big projects in the UAE and the region to be delayed or even halted.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Fahid Al Shakrah, chairman of Emirates Industrial Cities Companies and Al Hanoo Holding, says: “We have invested a tremendous amount of work into the EIC project and have delivered, according to schedule, a number of plots to investors.  All basic services and amenities, including roads, lighting, electricity, water and safety, have been installed under the supervision of representatives from appropriate authorities to ensure safe operation and maximum quality standards.”
Since its launch the project has attracted a lot of attention, he adds.
Located in Sharjah’s Sajaa industrial district, the project covers 83 million sq ft and is divided into eight sections. Two of these sections comprise 400 blocks specified for warehouses and logistics support and which can be divided into 4,000 smaller units, while the remaining six sections are allocated for industrial investments and commercial activities including sales outlets for factories and multi-purpose business centres.
Current investment in the project including Warehousing City stands in excess of Dh5 billion ($1.3 billion). Infrastructure for EIC is complete, while Phase One of the warehouses project, which forms 50 per cent of the venture, is currently underway and scheduled to be completed in a year’s time. The investment size at Warehousing City exceeds Dh2 billion and stretches over an area of 20 million sq ft. The project is suitable for multi-purpose activities such as logistics and distribution; light assembly operations; cold stores operations; furniture trades; equipment and spare parts; and building materials.
The warehouses will be developed in two stages. The first stage is scheduled for completion within 15 months. It will have 2,000 warehouses ranging between 2,500 and 4,000 sq ft.
“EIC has been perfectly planned to be the right venue suitable for industrial requirements and various needs of investment,” says Sheikh Abdullah
According to him, the vision of EIC is to operate and manage a quality state-of-the-art industrial park where all infrastructure and utilities are provided.
General manager Mohammed Al Hazaa says the project is being constructed keeping in mind the latest standards in sustainability.
“Sustainability is a top priority for EIC. From the very start, we have ensured the project is compatible with global standards in terms of environmental protection,” he stresses.
The official says investors have been told to ensure the environment is not damaged during construction work.