Dubai Industrial City (DI), the leading industrial destination in Dubai has successfully managed to maximise the use of all its lands in 2007 while achieving a robust growth during the year as it increased its client base to more than 430 industrial investors.

Rashed Al Ansari, chief executive officer of Dubai Industrial City, a member of Tatweer, explained that the third largest non-real estate based project in Dubai has succeeded in leasing increasing amounts of industrial lands to meet the growing market demand.

“2007 was indeed a successful year especially since we managed to lease more than 200 million square feet of land till date. We met the increasing demand for industrial land in the emirate by maximising the use of our land and ensuring high level of efficiency at all times from master planning to actual hand over of industrial plots to clients,' he noted.

Al Ansari further pointed out that DI attracted international companies and brands by offering unique and innovative facilities that would leverage the city as a leader and hub for the industrial sector across the country.

'We have attracted international clients such as Siemens and DHL, and major brands like Porsche, Aston Martin, Infinity, Audi, and Volkswagen into our automotive zone. These clients will set up innovative facilities and services including specially-designed test tracks for a wide range of vehicles ranging from four wheel drives to high performance vehicles, in addition to modern service centers that will further enhance the level of service and quality offered.'

He said the DI had netted over Dh1.5 billion through commercial plot sales till date for diverse projects such as schools, shopping centers, hospitals, residential areas, and recreation and entertainment facilities.

“We are the first industrial destination that is strategically located and that offers a comprehensive range of commercial and industrial services and facilities. We are close to major highways, in close proximity to Jebel Ali Port and adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport. This combination is proving to be very attractive to industrial investors across the region,” he added.

According to him, the city had launched four office buildings in the last 12 months apart from 1.5 million square feet of warehouses.

The DI also set up the Dubai Industrial Academy (DIA), the first vocational industrial training academy of its kind in the UAE.

“We have so far leased three out of the four buildings we launched in June 2007 and have already started leasing warehouses, as of last month to meet the needs of our clients as well as companies across the UAE.'

He explained adding that transPARK, the logistics provider that DI set up in partnership with Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), the world leader in contract logistics and the parent company of DHL, Danzas and Exel, was managing all logistic services and operations for the warehouses in DI.-TradeArabia News Service