ZonesCorp, one of the largest operators of purpose-built economic zones in the UAE, has signed an agreement with Block 7 Investments, a joint venture between EFire Capital Holdings of Abu Dhabi and Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad of Malaysia, for the establishment of a new research and innovation hub in the emirate.
Spread over a 820,000-sq-m area in the heart of the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), the Block 7 Innovation Hub, will include a host of dedicated IT facilities, smart office complexes, exhibition centres, as well as retail and entertainment spaces.
The new entity aims to cater to key sectors like healthcare, computer science, robotics, mobility, renewable energy and sustainable advance materials, said the statement from ZonesCorp.
The development of the Block 7 Innovation Hub will take advantage of ZonesCorps Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, a leading regional manufacturing hub that will also service the biopharma, environmental technologies, mobility, and ICT sectors amongst others.
Block 7 is designed to function as a breeding ground for innovation driven industries with ultra-modern infrastructure, robust services, and a unique setup that links intelligent living space leveraging ZonesCorps existing manufacturing ecosystem and serves as a platform for tech start-ups, it added.
"This is in line with ZonesCorps strategy of developing Abu Dhabi as an industrial and innovation hub," stated its CEO Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed after signing the deal with Dr Mohd Abdul Karim Bin Abdullah of Block 7 Investments in the presence of Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.
"Leveraging ZonesCorps growing industrial ecosystem, this project will not only deliver ground-breaking concepts and solutions for the benefit of the global manufacturing industry, but will also showcase how we can combine technology, innovation, and the human element within a single environment," said Al Ahmed.
"This project fits well with our existing plans to advance Abu Dhabis industrial and manufacturing sectors bringing R&D, education and technology to the world as well as a model for others to emulate," he added.
Lauding the deal, Al Hameli said the new Block 7 Innovation Hub marked a key milestone in the emirates progressive efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading hub for innovation.
"In line with the leaderships vision to foster a sustainable economy driven by innovation, the Innovation Hubs promise of intelligent living will complement Abu Dhabis industrial strength and create numerous opportunities for coming generations of youth to venture into some of the worlds most transformative industrial fields," he added.
Dr Abdullah said the project would be a catalyst for sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, serving the demand from the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, US, China, and African countries.
"This project will fulfil Abu Dhabis aspiration to foster economic growth through advanced manufacturing and innovation patents," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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