Gulf Construction Online - Chinese major eyes $10bn Kizad projects

UAE Focus

Chinese major eyes $10bn Kizad projects

01 June 2019

Chinese manufacturing major East Hope Group said it is working with Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) on the feasibility of setting up development projects worth over $10 billion at Abu Dhabi’s industrial hub.

Under an agreement signed by the Chinese firm and Kizad, both entities will look into a possible 15-year, three-phase plan to develop 7.6 sq km of land at Kizad.

Abu Dhabi’s first integrated trade, logistics, industrial and free zone and a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Ports, Kizad said in Phase One of the proposed project, East Hope would develop an alumina facility, while the second phase would include a red mud research centre and recycling project.

The final phase of the project would see large-scale upstream and downstream non-ferrous metal processing facilities, it stated.

As part of the agreement, Kizad would support East Hope Group across all areas as it investigates setting up in Abu Dhabi, including ensuring the best utility prices, acquiring the land, creating a masterplan and handling the import of raw materials through Khalifa Port, and storage.

The agreement also includes exploring options for the sustainable generation of energy and a sustainability programme to preserve the environment, including the research centre, remarked Kizad CEO Samir Chaturvedi after signing the deal with Meng Changjun, president of investments, East Hope Group, in the presence of Rashed Matar Alsiri Alqemzi, consul general, UAE Consulate General in Shanghai and Yongxing Liu, chairman of East Hope Group.

East Hope Group, which is headquartered in Shanghai, is the latest Chinese firm to realise the potential of Abu Dhabi as a Middle Eastern hub and a gateway to the region, Africa and Europe. Earlier this year, Roadbot broke ground at Kizad on a new tyre manufacturing plant, which is located in the 2.2-sq-km China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone.

Chaturvedi said: “The powerful combination of Abu Dhabi’s strategic location, Kizad’s logistic efficiencies and the connectivity offered by Khalifa Port, the flagship port of Abu Dhabi Ports and one of the region’s biggest maritime hubs, continues to be a powerful magnet for Chinese investments in Abu Dhabi.

“We are delighted that a company of the size and stature of East Hope Group has recognised the unique value proposition of Kizad and shown interest in joining our thriving and expanding industrial and trade community in Abu Dhabi.”