ZonesCorp, a top developer of purpose-built industrial zones in the UAE, will unveil its dedicated new Food & Beverage Zones in the Industrial city of Abu Dhabi (ICAD) and Al Ain during the upcoming food expo  Sial ME in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Interest in the land has been high with nearly a third of the available acreage already earmarked for development, a statement said.

ZonesCorp is currently housing 24 food production facilities that produce a wide range of products in its dedicated Food Zones. The enlarged Food Zone encompasses a total area of 2,287,434 sq m and features a wide range of plot sizes in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain designed to accommodate businesses of all sizes from SME’s upwards.

There are a large number of F&B companies located in the Food Zones that demonstrate how the food sector in Abu Dhabi has diversified and flourished in recent years. The food zone supports a number of large international companies such as Nestle Waters which is building a Dh100 million($27.2million), 43,000 sq m bottling plant and Ittihad International Investment which operates a sizable Feed & Flour Production & Marketing facility.

Saeed Eisa Mohammed Al Khyeli, director General of ZonesCorp said: “Our Food Zone accommodates an excellent mix of international household names such as Nestle Waters and quality local companies such as Emirates AquaTech. Both companies highlight how the F&B manufacturing and processing industry is developing in Abu Dhabi through a combination of advanced technology and sustainable production techniques. The further expansion of our current food zones in ICAD and Al Ain is part of a continuing drive to support SMEs and to contribute to the thriving food production and processing sector in the Emirate.”

Walid Zamamiri, managing director at Nestlé Waters for the Lower Gulf, said: “Abu Dhabi is the perfect location to establish a new water plant, as it offers many advantages for the smooth running of the facility, and a strategic location for distribution within the UAE and lower gulf countries,”

Amer Kakish, chief executive officer of Ittihad International Investment said: “I take this opportunity to thank ZonesCorp for their valuable business partnership with Ittihad.  This collaboration has paved the way and facilitated the growth of our subsidiaries.  Their contribution to our success is remarkable. With their continued commitment and support, we are certain that our expansion ventures will be equally successful. We at Ittihad, are proud to be associated with ZonesCorp and we hope to continue this esteemed affiliation and look forward for mutual success.”

The Food Zone also supports numerous local food producers such as Emirates AquaTech. Although at first glance Abu Dhabi may appear to be an unlikely location for a caviar farm, the company is the largest and most advanced aquaculture farm in the world with the capacity to produce 35 tons of premium caviar and 700 tons of sturgeon per year. – TradeArabia News Service