As part of its diversification strategy, Abu Dhabi's government is making huge industrial investments in a bid to push forwards with developments while oil revenues are high. Private sector involvement is also vital. The government has incorporated a company aimed at giving entrepreneurs and businesses something of a one-stop shop in terms of access to integrated infrastructure and communications facilities- the Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones or ZonesCorps. The state has also incorporated the General Holding Company (GHC), which is charged with creating, incubating and ultimately privatising new and strategically important industries. GHC's current portfolio includes construction materials, food-related manufacturing, energy services and leather goods. The third entity charged with industrial diversification and investment activities is the Mubadala Development Company, which has been gifted a global reach and made over 25 international investments, acquisitions and public-private partnerships since its 2002 inception. In terms of Abu Dhabi's growing industrial segments, pharmaceuticals, though small, is burgeoning, through projects such as NeoPharma's plant in the industrial city of Mussafah, the UAE's first state-of-the-art pharmaceutical facility. Ambitious aluminium projects are also underway and advanced feasibility studies are taking place concerning the production of a 700,000 tpa $6bn smelter plant at Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ). Meanwhile the petrochemicals industry is burgeoning with the assistance of increased demand from Asia.

This chapter includes an interview with Nasser Ahmed Al Sowaidi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Planning and Economy Department; Hussein Al Nowais, Vice-Chairman & CEO, Abu Dhabi Basic Industries Corporation; and Jaber Hareb Al Khaili, Acting CEO, ZonesCorp.