ABU DHABI 8 December 2020: The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development has identified eight new areas for investment within food industries in line with the ‘Basic Industries’ project currently being implemented by DED’s Industrial Development Bureau.
The eight new investment areas cover the manufacturing of 18 basic food products which are key targets under the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
The IDB announced that these new areas for investment include:
- The use of air-intake technology for food product preservation
- Processing of dates for protein, baker’s yeast and baby food production
- Dried fruits, vegetables and meat-related industries
- Chromone production for treating palm trees weevils
- Seed production and processing; and
- Production of animal food from food waste
Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of DED, explained that the ‘Basic Industries’ project prioritizes the food industry, considering it an important and strategic factor in achieving self-sufficiency. He added that the Department is working in close collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, to support existing industrial food investments and create new opportunities for investment in the agricultural sector.
Al Shorafa revealed that the number of licenses issued to food manufacturing companies in Abu Dhabi has reached 127, with a total investment value of Dh7.8 billion. Of the 127, 38 are ‘Industry Pioneers’ licenses, with an investment value worth Dh1.04 billion; 26 are licenses with the ‘Under Construction’ status, with Dh1.18 billion investment value; and 63 are licenses with ‘Production’ status, with an investment value worth Dh5.5 billion. He also noted that around 25 factories of those holding a license with ‘Production’ status manufacture 12 basic food products included in the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
Al Shorafa noted that these new areas for investment in agricultural-related industries is one step closer to achieving the local economy’s quest for self-sufficiency in various vital non-oil sectors such as food, medical, and energy production industries, among others. The move further supports the emirate’s sufficiency across highly consumed products and commodities.
IDB has also identified 11 different areas for further industrial development, which include canning, packaging, and drying of agricultural products in local farms; establishing a new factory for the production of chilled and vacuum packed meat as well as frozen meat coming from cows, sheep, poultry in specialized slaughterhouses; setting up of an industrial complex such as slaughterhouses and factories for meat production, animal feed, and milk and dairy products. It is also looking into producing sugar from dates, along with recycled products from slaughterhouses’ animal waste, organic fertilizers; food pickling and salt, sugar and vinegar preserved food products; producing, processing, preserving, and canning fish and seafood; and oil production.
