The investment potential and capabilities of Al Gharbia, UAE are a major attraction for foreign investors, especially with major development projects underway in energy, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture, said a top official.

“The Abu Dhabi 2030 Economic Vision is primarily based on diversifying the Emirate’s economy and achieving sustainable development by working to develop non-oil strategic sectors, including industry, agriculture, business, energy, foreign investments, and others for which infrastructure is largely available in Al Gharbia,” added Ali Majed Al Mansoori, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED).

He was speaking at the third Al Gharbia Development Forum today at the St Regis Saadiyat Island Resort, Abu Dhabi, UAE, which highlighted the progress in economic, business and social developments in the Western Region, where the majority of Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry is situated.

“Under its wise leadership, the UAE is undoubtedly looking at a bright future. The country marches steadily towards cementing its leading position and valuable role in global progress”, said H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Community Development in his opening speech at the forum.

“The UAE enjoys enormous annual development rates, where the economy is becoming increasingly dependent on developing non-oil sectors, and an efficient and effective private sector that contributes to diversifying the economy, sources of income, and fields of production, supported by a strong capability to compete on a global level, and characterised by fast transformation into a knowledge based economy”, he added.

“The Al Gharbia Development Forum has become a key platform for highlighting major development projects in various cities in the Western Region. The Abu Dhabi wise government is dedicating great care and attention to the Western Region as it constitutes 60 per cent of the total area of Abu Dhabi, and continues to generate 40 per cent of the its GDP, with its several towns, cities, and remote islands that qualify Al Gharbia to be  a solid ground for the Emirate’s future generations,” he continued.

Al Mansoori also mentioned that ADDED is preparing to open a main branch in Madinat Zayed, thus promoting the overall role of ADDED in Al Gharbia through ADDED’s Abu Dhabi Business Centre and Industry Development Bureau.

He also stressed ADDED’s efforts to keep up with the developments witnessed by Al Gharbia in business, trade, industry, and investment, in addition to its key legal and legislative role manifested by facilitating all procedures for clients, businessmen, and investors.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region, stressed the UAE’s focus on optimising the use of resources, with the country’s wise leadership placing education, health and human development as top priorities, while upholding values, culture, and heritage.

He also pointed out that enabling the UAE’s citizens is the main focus of any and all efforts by the government.

“The relationship between culture and development, and spreading both across the community, is essential to embedding development in the country. This will also lead to such development being an important channel to promote national identity, and a true tool to strengthen hope in a bright future,” Sheikh Nahyan added.

Sheikh Nahyan also indicated that this forum, which focuses on the development of Al Gharbia, is an example of the effort being put in to securing suitable investments while maintaining the region’s environment and culture, supported by the joint responsibilities of families, businessmen, cultural and educational institutions, government departments, and civil society organisations in order to achieve this goal.

The Western Region has an area of 40,000 sq km in size, which is about 60 per cent of Abu Dhabi Emirate’s landmass. It embraces a rich natural environment with ample resources including desert dunes and 350 kilometres of unspoiled coastline. It is the land route for goods and people travelling between Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

“Meed is delighted to be working again with our valued partners on the third edition of the Al Gharbia Development Forum,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, chairman of event organiser Meed Events.

“It is the definitive event for all those looking to do business in and with the Western Region, Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The Western Region is an engine of the economy of the whole region and the opportunities that will emerge there in the next decade are exceptional.” – TradeArabia News Service