The UAE industrial property market was bolstered by an improved economic climate, the successful win of Expo 2020, and the launch of passenger services at Al Maktoum International Airport, a report said.

“Steady growth following the win of Expo 2020 is inevitable, with a rise in demand for space surrounding the Expo 2020 site already starting to materialize,” said Steve Morgan, head of Cluttons Middle East, a property management solutions provider, commenting on the company’s Q4 2013 report.

“Facilitating this gravitation of business and industrial activity is the Government’s ramping up of critical infrastructure projects across the city as Dubai readies itself for the Expo in six years time.

“We are already seeing several players make moves to establish an early presence in the area as they position themselves to benefit from the projected upturn in overall business activity in areas south of Dubai,” he added.

The Expo is set to play an integral role in facilitating the ongoing evolution of Dubai’s tremendous aviation and logistics infrastructure. These sectors, which form a key component of the city’s industrial capabilities, are likely to underpin requirements and growth across Dubai’s industrial landscape in the short-medium term, according to the report.

This will be in part linked to the on-going growth and expansion of the facilities at Al Maktoum International Airport. While Dubai International Airport emerged as the world’s second busiest airport by passenger traffic last year, the aggressive expansion plans being developed for Dubai World Central will increase the attractiveness of industrial areas close to the new airport, which is positioning itself as the premiere global integrated logistics hub.

Industrial market rents in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai grown steadily throughout the second half of 2013, the Cluttons report highlighted.

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) is appealing to a few tenants as a place to relocate, with most attracted by the prospect of expansion. Rent free periods, in addition to 50 year (musataha agreements) leases go further to enhance Kizad’s allure. There has been particular interest from logistics companies and manufacturers, who are drawn to these factors and the low operation costs, according to the report.

Back in Dubai, Cluttons latest visual data depicts that rent on average stood between Dh28 ($7.62) and Dh40 per sq ft during the fourth quarter last year, throughout the emirate’s onshore submarkets, which includes Al Quoz and Ras Al Khor.

However, new entrants and international companies are moving towards other submarkets, such as Dubai Investment Park and Dubai Industrial City. These areas are now been viewed as alternative onshore destinations for development.

Availability of space and cheaper land values is proving to be a big draw for this group of occupiers.

“We have noted a marked upturn in the demand for industrial space over the past six to twelve months, with food preparation facilities for hotels and the food and beverage sector being a key contributor to overall requirements as the emirates hospitality and leisure sector expands further,” said Morgan.

“Occupiers across the UAE are being drawn more and more to ‘built to suit’ options, rather than existing facilities, as a result of the lack of stock that is readily available in the areas they want to be to the specification they require.

“Overall, the improved economic climate and recent accomplishments of the UAE are enabling the momentum to sustain the industrial property market,” he concluded. – TradeArabia News Service