AD Ports launches KEZAD Group to streamline services for strategic industries

The launch of KEZAD Group opens new opportunities to scale up adjacent businesses such as KEZAD Communities, which provides integrated solutions for staff residential communities

by Gulf Business

September 19, 2022

AD Ports Group has unveiled KEZAD Group as part of its plan to consolidate and grow its Economic Cities & Free Zones offering.

This follows the integration of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) into the newly formed KEZAD Group (Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group), which comprises 12 economic zones with a total area of 550 square kilometres, including 100 square kilometres designated as ‘Free Zones’.

In addition, it has more than 300,000 square metres of prebuilt warehouse facilities and is home to more than 40 staff accommodation complexes, with a capacity of over 450,000 beds (located in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra Region), including the 77,000 beds operated by KEZAD Group.

KEZAD Group hosts more than 1,750 clients from 17 industrial and economic sectors catering to a range of key industries, such as pharmaceuticals, metals, automotive, polymers, building materials recycling, food and agtech, plastics and polymers, retail and logistics, hi-tech and green energy, life sciences, oil and and gas, and specialty chemicals, each offering direct access to all industry and economic verticals from processing and storage to distribution.

The group is structured to offer greater opportunities for investors looking to streamline every segment of their supply chain. Combining the portfolio’s assets, it will drive higher investments and develop a stronger portfolio of products and services for businesses and investors at the local, regional, and international levels.

KEZAD Group will be solely responsible for managing the process of planning, developing, operating, regulating, and promoting combined assets (KIZAD, ZonesCorp and KIZAD Communities) under the AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones portfolio, that makes up 55 percent of the UAE’s industrial area.

The launch of KEZAD Group opens new opportunities to scale up adjacent businesses, such as KEZAD Communities which provides integrated solutions for staff residential communities, as well enabling the group to unlock the value of its significant land bank.

In addition, KEZAD Group will look to invest in dedicated infrastructure for key industrial sectors to enhance the ecosystem and creating multiple new revenue streams, such as enhanced gas networks for metal and other heavy industries, and wholesale marketplaces for food and automotives.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, MD and group CEO, AD Ports Group said: “Under the guidance of our wise leadership, AD Ports Group is committed to strengthening the foundations of the UAE’s manufacturing and industrial sectors, recognising the significant economic and national benefits that such development will bring. The launch of KEZAD Group, which brings together our Economic Cities & Free Zones assets, supports the expansion of dedicated ecosystems for strategic industries, boosting access to international markets, integrating advanced technologies, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

“From a business perspective, Economic Cities & Free Zones provides AD Ports Group with revenue generated by long-term contracts, and stimulates further growth across our other operations, as clients deploy our logistics, ports and digital services.”

.@ADPortsGroup has launched KEZAD Group, following the integration of Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi and Specialised Economic Zones (ZonesCorp). Comprising 12 zones, the one-stop economic hub will streamline services to more than 1,750 clients from 17 industrial sectors. pic.twitter.com/UIDjAO51QV

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@admediaoffice) September 19, 2022

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO of Economic Cities & Free Zones, AD Ports Group said: “We are proud to launch KEZAD Group under our Economic Cities & Free Zones portfolio, bringing together the entire scope of services and ecosystems that businesses require to thrive in today’s competitive market.

“KEZAD Group will leverage synergies across its combined assets and utilise our collaborative expertise to fully support the priority industrial sectors identified by our wise leadership in the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy. We see major opportunities for growth as we scale up adjacent businesses to better support our clients.”

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmad, CEO, KEZAD Group, said: “KEZAD Group is now responsible for the largest integrated trade, logistics and industrial hub in the region and is the largest operator of purpose-built economic zones and workers residential cities in the United Arab Emirates. We will deploy this enhanced scale to fully support strategic industries and enable sustainable diversification and growth. By providing a suite of favourable business solutions and economic zone benefits, KEZAD Group will provide an unmatched platform across strategic locations that drives growth across the region and beyond.”

In other news, AD Ports Group has completed the acquisition of a 70 per cent equity stake in Egypt-based Transmar International Shipping Company (Transmar) and Transcargo International (TCI).

Read: Abu Dhabi’s AD Ports Group completes first international acquisition