ZonesCorp, one of the largest operators of purpose-built economic zones in the United Arab Emirates has signed an agreement with Block 7 Investments, a joint venture between EFIRE Capital Holdings Limited of Abu Dhabi and Serba Dinamik Holdings Berhad of Malaysia to develop the Block 7 Innovation Hub in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD).
The agreement was signed by Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, ZonesCorp, and Dato’ Dr. Ir. Mohd Abdul Karim Bin Abdullah of Block 7 Investments LLC as part of a ceremony hosted at ZonesCorp’s headquarters, in the presence of Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.
This new development will benefit the sectors related to healthcare, computer science, robotics, mobility, renewable energy, and sustainable advanced materials.
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 ZonesCorp’s existing manufacturing ecosystem and serves as a platform for tech startups, the company said.
The innovation hub will be spread across 820,000 square metre which will also include IT facilities, smart office complexes, exhibition centres along with retail and entertainment spaces.
The company further added that the development of the Block 7 Innovation Hub will take advantage of ZonesCorp’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, a leading regional manufacturing hub that will also serve the biopharma, environmental technologies, mobility, and ICT sectors along with other sectors.
“The announcement of the Block 7 Innovation Hub development in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi marks a key milestone in the emirate’s progressive efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading hub for innovation.
In line with the leadership’s vision to foster a sustainable economy driven by innovation, the Innovation Hub’s promise of intelligent living will complement Abu Dhabi’s industrial strength and create numerous opportunities for coming generations of youth to venture into some of the world’s most transformative industrial fields,” said Abdullah Al Hameli, Head of the Industrial Cities and Free Zone Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports.
“Our collaboration with Block 7 is in line with ZonesCorp’s strategy of developing Abu Dhabi as an industrial and innovation hub.
Leveraging ZonesCorp’s 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.
This project fits well with our existing plans to advance Abu Dhabi’s industrial and manufacturing sectors bringing R&D, education, and technology to the world as well as a model for others to emulate,” said Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, ZonesCorp.
“We trust that this project will be a catalyst for sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, serving the demand from the Middle East, Europe, Central Asia, United States, China, and African countries.
This project will fulfil Abu Dhabi’s aspiration to foster economic growth through advanced manufacturing and innovation patents,” said Dato’ Dr. Ir. Mohd Abdul Karim Bin Abdullah of Serba Dinamik International Ltd and Block 7 Investments LLC.
