Government of Abu Dhabi rolls-out strategy to promote basic industries, Aluminium sector remains vital

The Economic Development Department of Abu Dhabi is rolling-out a basic industries project focused on making the emirate “self-sufficient in the production of basic and consumer commodities".

The project, being undertaken by the department’s Industrial Development Bureau, will look to strengthen investment in four major sectors.

They are food production, medical supplies, power generation and important materials such as aluminium and others.

Aluminium production is one of the core sectors of the economy that will come under focus as part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development's Basic Industries Project.

Mohammed Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development said: “The project is in response to government directives to support key industries and supply the domestic market with competitive and high-end local products”.

Mr Al Shorafa said: “The initiative also linked up with Abu Dhabi's local content programme, which relies on increasing local purchases and Emiratisation, and strengthening the local supply chain.”

The bureau has already held meetings with government and semi-government entities.

They include the emirate's departments of health and energy, the Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Senaat General Holding and Emirates Global Aluminium.

"The meetings have also served as a fitting venue to suggest and create new mechanisms and guidelines to be used in the further development of local industries," Mr Al Shorafa said.

Meanwhile, in power generation, the recent reverse takeover of Taqa by Abu Dhabi Power Corporation has opened the potential for one of the region’s biggest utilities companies to attract greater external investment.

The Industrial Development Bureau will be responsible for maintaining communication between the strategic partners, identifying obstacles to local industry development and coming up with suggestions to foster investment.