Abu Dhabi Airports has announced new development plans for its free zone arm – Adafz – at Big 5 Global, a leading construction event (December 4-7), that is taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre. The initiatives involve the planned construction of multiple light industrial units (LIUs), in the master planning phase.

The airport and free zone operator also revealed that these LIUs will be built on an area of 200,000 sq ft in its Southside Logistics area, adjacent to the cargo terminal.

Currently in very high demand, the development of LIUs will meet the increasing need from the small to medium-size business community as they offer a low-cost entry and are scalable to align with the growth of the customer/tenant, a statement said.

The units are ideally suited towards light manufacturing and assembly, freight forwarding and logistics, technology, consumer, retail and airport support services.

Maureen Bannerman, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports said: “This is an exciting time for Adafz as it develops its retail, real estate and logistics offering. Adafz currently manage more than 100 industrial units and in excess of 1,000 real estate units across three Free Zones and Airports.

“The addition of these facilities will ensure that Adafz continues to offer a diverse and customer centric range of infrastructure solutions that are supported by its in-house business teams”.

Subject to approval of its masterplan, Adafz intends to award construction of the LIUs in 2024 with a 12- to 18-month build time. – TradeArabia News Service