Al Dahra Agriculture, a leading company specializing in agriculture and animal feed production, has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) to set up an agri-business distribution hub at Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad).

ADPC is a master developer and manager of commercial and community ports and the Kizad and Khalifa port.

One of the UAE’s leading agri-business companies, Al Dahra said it aims to establish a facility for the handling of agricultural-based bulk commodities, grain storage, processing units and logistics support services at the new deep-water port.

The facility is expected to support the company’s increasing global footprint and business growth, said a top official during the signing of the deal at the World Ports and Trade Summit (WPTS) 2013, the region’s only annual conference dedicated to the commercial maritime industry.

"From the earliest discussions held with ADPC, the benefits of operating out of Kizad, with its access to the new Khalifa Port, were clear," remarked Khadim Al Darei, the vice chairman of Al Dahra Agriculture.

"We expect that our new regional base will immediately facilitate greater logistical and trading opportunities for our business and provide a platform for the expansion and growth we are seeing, at Al Dahra Agriculture," he added.

Mohamed Al Shamisi, the executive vice president, Ports, ADPC, said, "Al Dahra Agriculture is a strategic partner, not only for us, but for the UAE and the region."

"It is a premier supporter of the stable supply of high quality forage, fresh produce, dairy products and commodities to the local and regional markets; therefore, we are certain that its growing network of global operations will benefit from its direct access to the 60-plus direct destinations now served out of Khalifa Port," he added.-TradeArabia News Service