The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Shandong Province, People’s Republic of China, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance cooperation, exchange expertise and data on industrial sector.
The two sides agreed to work towards further boosting investment opportunities and affirming Abu Dhabi’s unique market attributes.
Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Under-Secretary of ADDED, and Wang Xiao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Industry and Information Technology in Shandong Province, virtually signed the MoU.
The agreement aims to establish a mechanism for exchanging information to enhance industrial cooperation and facilitate delegation visits and investor meetings. It also seeks to organize entrepreneurship and management consultancy training programs between companies on both sides.
Al Blooshi said, “This MoU with Shandong Province is part of our efforts to strengthen relations with Abu Dhabi’s major trade partners. China is one of our largest partners in non-oil trade, particularly in industrial materials.”
He said, “It also reflects our plans to enhance the development of the manufacturing sector and to keep pace with Industry 4.0, which is one of the strategic objectives of Abu Dhabi economy.”
In 2021, the issuance of new industrial sector licenses increased by 17 percent compared to 2020, with the establishment of new factories having grown by 15 percent, which is a testament to the efficient and evolved policies and incentives landscape guided by Abu Dhabi and ADDED.
Khaled Banizama, Acting Executive Director of Industrial Development Bureau, part of ADDED, said, “The Abu Dhabi government is forging ahead with its active diversification roadmap, and is actively engaging with countries and cities bearing specialized firms and transfer technology from heavy-weight industrial players.”
He said these, “Include capital-intensive industries such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, technology, logistics or SME manufacturing which work towards mutually beneficial and sustainable business outcomes and projects.”
Abu Dhabi has built a robust infrastructure to support sustained and innovative investing, even in the pandemic.
The ease of doing business environment in Abu Dhabi reflects the strength of the partnership between the government and international private sector players.