In Ankara.. "Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit" It reviews projects worth $55 billion and partnership opportunities
ANKARA, 17 November / WAM / The Emirati-Turkish session, which was held today as part of the international round of the “Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit” at the Grand Ankara Hotel, reviewed Abu Dhabi’s major projects and its development plans, stressing the emirate’s keenness to develop an integrated infrastructure that enhances the quality of life and forms sustainable urban communities that support economic growth and innovation, in addition to focusing on the partnership opportunities available to Turkish companies in the fields of modular construction, transportation, and complex engineering complexes, which opens horizons. New strategic cooperation and reflects the emirate’s vision of developing an advanced and innovative urban environment.
At the beginning of the session, His Excellency Mohammed Yousef Al Hosani, Director of the Governance and Planning of Infrastructure and Capital Projects Sector at the Abu Dhabi Center for Projects and Infrastructure, said that Abu Dhabi is one of the most planning and forward-looking cities in the region, explaining that the emirate is not satisfied with implementing assets, but rather focuses on designing sustainable and effective communities that form development pillars for a prosperous future.
He pointed out that the center supervises more than 600 capital projects worth more than $55 billion, including several sectors, most notably the health sector, stressing that the emirate’s priorities are based on infrastructure that enhances the quality of life, supports economic diversification, and increases environmental flexibility, which makes investment in infrastructure projects an essential part of the comprehensive development system in Abu Dhabi.
Al Hosani stressed the pivotal role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development, noting that they contribute to enhancing the added value of projects and achieving the best use of resources, which reflects the emirate’s keenness to build a development model based on innovative cooperation with strategic partners.
He revealed that Abu Dhabi is moving to adopt modular construction techniques, as it plans to build 40,000 housing units within five years using these techniques at a rate of up to 50%, explaining that the emirate is looking for partnerships with companies capable of localizing manufacturing and applying modern technologies, including Turkish companies known for their efficiency in implementing complex projects.
He explained that Turkish expertise in the fields of transportation, roads, tourism facilities and complex engineering complexes is in line with Abu Dhabi’s priorities, especially in implementing engineering, design and construction (EPC) models, which makes future cooperation between the two sides a strategic step that supports the expansion of infrastructure and opens new horizons for investment and joint development.
His Excellency Issa Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Acting Executive Director of the Infrastructure and Municipal Assets Sector at the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi, said that Abu Dhabi is considered the safest city in the world and is working according to an ambitious vision that aims to become “the most livable city in the world.” He explained that the emirate has achieved important progress in less than a year by reaching fifth place globally in the “IMD” Smart Cities Index, noting in the same context that the UAE is the first in the world to use artificial intelligence applications according to Microsoft data.
He pointed out that the presence of more than 190 nationalities in the country enhances the acceleration of the development of modern urban services and solutions, indicating that the “livability” rate in Abu Dhabi increased from 63% in 2023 to 81% during the past year, which reflects the emirate’s ability to build an advanced urban environment that supports coexistence and prosperity.
Al Mazrouei added that Emirati-Turkish relations in the construction sector extend for more than 40 years, explaining that more than 20% of the 25 largest contracting companies in the world are Turkish companies. At the same time, he stressed that there are wide opportunities for these companies to participate in projects of roads, bridges, tunnels, and marine tunnels, in addition to integrated transportation projects, trains, metro, and autonomous systems, which made Abu Dhabi a pioneer in applying autonomous vehicle technologies on land and in the air, opening the way for an advanced model for future infrastructure based on innovation. And strategic partnerships.
Sarah Issa Al Hosani, principal specialist for industry development at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, said that Abu Dhabi is moving towards building an export-based industrial economy, supported by advanced manufacturing, logistical infrastructure and global trade corridors, explaining that the industrial strategy aims to raise the sector’s contribution to 172 billion dirhams by 2031, through an integrated system of regulatory reforms and incentives for investors.
She pointed out that the Abu Dhabi Investment Office links international companies with advanced industrial zones such as “CAZAD”, which provides 100% foreign ownership and deep ports, in addition to packages of reductions of up to 35% in energy and 80% in land rents, which enhances the ability of investors to expand manufacturing and production operations in the emirate and gives them competitive advantages in regional and international markets.
She added that the UAE is negotiating 27 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPA) that provide preferential access to 2.5 billion consumers in Asia, Africa and South America for companies that base their business in Abu Dhabi, pointing out that 48 billion dirhams will be directed during the year 2024 to approved suppliers within the National Added Value (ICV) programme, which strengthens local supply chains and provides broad opportunities for international companies to enter government tenders and benefit from the most competitive and growing economic environment in the region.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Related
