Unlocking food security through manufacturing innovation in the United Arab Emirates
Dubai’s strategic vision for economic diversification has long championed the growth of its manufacturing and logistics sectors, firmly establishing the city as a global trade powerhouse. The manufacturing sector in Dubai amounted to AED 8.4 billion (€2.1billion) during the first quarter of 2024, with its GDP contribution to the city totalling 7.3% during the period.
This strategic focus on future-facing industries is a key factor in Dubai’s continued success and is amplified by ambitious initiatives like the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, the industrial strategy Operation 300bn, and the Make it in the Emirates campaign. These initiatives strengthen the crucial role of manufacturing in securing a sustainable future, particularly in the vital area of food security.
Dubai Industrial City, established by TECOM Group PJSC in 2004, is an engine for growth in this economic landscape as the home of more than 1,000 customers, including global industry leaders such as A.P. Moeller-Maersk, Unilever, and Himalaya Wellness, in addition to 300 operational factories. Its intelligent masterplan features six strategic sector-specific zones for base metals; machinery; minerals; F&B; transport; and chemicals that foster a collaborative ecosystem, supporting circular economy principles.
Built to support innovation, Dubai Industrial City provides a comprehensive suite of offerings to meet the diverse needs of its customers. They include industrial land plots, storage and logistics spaces, commercial office spaces, and open yards. Coupled with competitive pricing structures and attractive land rates, this integrated approach enables businesses to scale up and grow their regional and global footprints efficiently and cost-effectively.
Strengthening food and beverages
The F&B sector, a cornerstone of Dubai’s economic diversification strategy and a key driver of global food security, enjoys a particularly strong presence within Dubai Industrial City.
Spanning 23.5 million square feet, the dedicated F&B zone welcomed 12 new businesses last year alone, representing AED800 million (€200 million) in cumulative investments. Industry leaders like Asmak, Barakat Quality Plus, and Patchi benefit from the district’s purpose-built infrastructure, to contribute towards regional and global food security.
Strategically located near Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port, an Etihad Rail freight terminal, and key road networks, Dubai Industrial City offers excellent connectivity. This facilitates seamless trade and logistics operations for F&B businesses, granting access to a vast customer base across the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region and beyond, as well as ensuring food products are transported on time and with minimal wastage.
Collaboration is paramount to achieving global food security, and Dubai Industrial City actively forges strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. These include government entities such as the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Ministry of Climate Change and Environment; Emirates Development Bank; and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. These collaborations, agreed during the launch of Dubai Industrial City’s Make Brilliance global platform, showcase a commitment to driving innovation and excellence within the F&B sector.
The success stories of Dubai Industrial City’s customers reaffirm its ability to nurture innovation and excellence. Unilever’s automated facility in the district has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as an Advanced 4th Industrial Revolution Lighthouse. Al Barakah Dates, a homegrown F&B powerhouse, is expanding into the Indian market under the UAE-India CEPA trade agreement umbrella from its base at Dubai Industrial City, highlighting the Made in UAE brand on the world stage.
As Dubai solidifies its position as a global hub for innovation, knowledge, and sustainable development, Dubai Industrial City is uniting a global community of customers and talent committed to manufacturing excellence and shaping the food industry’s future to create a food-secure world for all.