Executive Summary

The Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD), now part of the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group), represents one of the largest integrated industrial hubs in the Middle East. Spanning 550 square kilometers under the KEZAD framework, KIZAD is strategically positioned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, offering comprehensive business solutions across manufacturing, logistics, trade, and distribution. As Abu Dhabi’s first industrial free zone offering 100% foreign ownership, KIZAD is expected to contribute up to 15% of the emirate’s non-oil GDP by 2030, making it a cornerstone of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030.   

Benefits of Different Industries:

Real Estate & Construction Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Prime Location: ADGM’s strategic location on Al Maryah Island is a major advantage. This island, a premier financial and lifestyle hub, offers high-quality infrastructure including modern commercial towers, luxury residences, hotels, and retail. It provides a steady stream of projects for developers, benefiting from a captive market of businesses and residents.
• Investment Opportunities: ADGM’s jurisdiction offers compelling investment prospects in real estate due to consistently growing demand. In H1 2025, Abu Dhabi’s real estate saw transaction values jump 39% year-on-year to AED 51.72 billion. As ADGM attracts more businesses (up 43% year-on-year to 2,781 in Q1 2025) and high-net-worth individuals, demand for premium office spaces, luxury residences, and supporting retail intensifies.
• Regulatory Support: ADGM provides clear, comprehensive regulatory frameworks for real estate, based on English common law. These cover ownership, transactions, and strata titles, ensuring transparency and efficiency. A new digital platform for real estate transactions, introduced in Q1 2025, further streamlines processes.

Industry Applications:

• Commercial Property Development: Ideal for high-end office spaces and mixed-use developments. Abu Dhabi’s Grade A office spaces hit record occupancy in Q2 2025, with ADGM seeing 30% annual rental uplifts.
• Residential Project Development: Strong opportunities for luxury apartments and communities. Abu Dhabi’s residential rents soared 20% and sales prices rose 11% in 2024.
• Hospitality and Retail Construction: Supports the development of hotels, resorts, and shopping centers like The Galleria Al Maryah Island.
• Infrastructure and Urban Planning: Flexible spaces for essential infrastructure projects are vital to Al Maryah Island’s ongoing expansion and its connectivity via four bridges to other key areas of Abu Dhabi.

Healthcare Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Innovation Environment: ADGM is cultivating a strong ecosystem for healthcare technology and innovation. This includes a regulatory sandbox (RegLab) for digital health, genomics, biotech, and medical devices. Initiatives like Hub71, based in ADGM, support over 200 startups, including health tech.
• Regulatory Framework: ADGM uses a flexible regulatory approach for new healthcare technologies, collaborating with the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH). The ADGM Healthcare Regulations 2022 ensure high patient safety standards while encouraging novel tech.
• Investment Access: ADGM is attracting a growing number of healthcare-focused investors and funds. As Abu Dhabi diversifies its economy, there’s increasing interest from VCs, private equity, and sovereign wealth funds. Hub71’s capital network, for example, includes over 30 venture capital funds.

Industry Applications:

Our infrastructure supports a wide range of healthcare and life sciences activities:

• Digital Health & Telemedicine: Ideal for developing and testing innovative digital health solutions.
• Genomics & Biotechnology: Conducive to R&D in areas like genomic medicine.
• Medical Device Development: Supports the creation, testing, and commercialization of new medical devices.
• Pharmaceutical R&D: Facilitates research, development, and clinical trials for new drugs, including AI-driven drug discovery.

Pharmaceutical & Healthcare Equipment Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Regulatory Compliance: KIZAD’s infrastructure is designed to meet stringent international pharmaceutical standards, including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). This enables manufacturers to produce high-quality, compliant products for global markets, fostering trust and facilitating market access. The UAE healthcare supplies market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% during 2025-2030, underscoring the demand for compliant production.
• Healthcare Equipment Manufacturing: KIZAD provides dedicated facilities and a supportive ecosystem for medical device and healthcare equipment production. This includes precision manufacturing and testing zones. Companies like Safecare Medical Industries, established in KIZAD in 2016, specialize in medical plastic consumables, producing items like Covid masks and surgical gowns, with a facility operating in an ISO 7, ISO 8 classified clean room environment.
• Regional Distribution Hub: KIZAD’s strategic location, with excellent connectivity to Khalifa Port and major highways, positions it as an ideal regional distribution hub. Khalifa Port handles 7.8 million TEUs annually and is linked to over 70 destinations, enabling efficient and timely delivery of medical supplies across the Middle East and Africa. KIZAD also features KLP21, one of the region’s largest temperature-controlled logistics hubs, offering over 80,000 sq. mtrs of storage capacity and able to accommodate over 100,000 pallets at temperatures ranging from -26°C to 25°C, crucial for sensitive pharmaceutical products.

Industry Applications:

• Pharmaceutical Production: Ideal for manufacturing various pharmaceutical products, with companies like Pure Pharmaceuticals and ADCAN Pharma operating in KIZAD, focusing on high-quality production and R&D.
• Medical Device Assembly & Manufacturing: Supports precision assembly and manufacturing of medical devices, leveraging KIZAD’s specialized industrial zones.
• Biotechnology & Biopharmaceutical Production: Provides facilities suitable for the production of biologics and vaccines, supported by KIZAD’s advanced infrastructure.
• Cold Chain Logistics & Storage: Offers specialized warehousing, including 93,000 sqm of cold storage facilities under management by KEZAD Group as of Q3 2023, crucial for temperature-sensitive products.

Food Processing Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Comprehensive Food Processing Facilities: KIZAD offers state-of-the-art facilities like specialized land plots and pre-built warehouses for quick and efficient F&B operations. The MEA food processing equipment market is projected to reach US$5.58 billion by 2030, showing strong demand for this infrastructure.
• Regional Distribution: KIZAD’s strategic location near Khalifa Port (handling 7.8 million TEUs annually to 70+ destinations) makes it an ideal MENA distribution hub for food. The MENA food service market is projected to grow from USD 92.48 billion (2024) to USD 189.87 billion by 2032.
• Major Investments: Significant investments from companies like Al Ghurair Foods (AED 1+ billion) and National Food Products Company (AED 1.5 billion) validate KIZAD’s appeal for large-scale food processing. Al Ain Mills LLC also leased 50,000 m² for grain storage.
• Temperature-Controlled Infrastructure: KIZAD boasts advanced cold storage, including KLP21 with over 80,000 m² of capacity for 100,000+ pallets at various temperatures. KEZAD Group manages 93,000 m² of cold storage as of Q3 2023.

Industry Applications:

• Grains & Cereals Processing: Ideal for large-scale processing, milling, and storage of grains and cereals, leveraging Khalifa Port’s enhanced grain storage capabilities (e.g., the upcoming 150,000 Metric Ton facility by Emirates Food Industries Group).
• Dairy & Beverage Production: Supports the manufacturing and packaging of dairy products, juices, and other beverages, with access to vital utilities.
• Meat & Poultry Processing: Provides facilities for slaughtering, processing, and packaging of meat and poultry products, adhering to high food safety standards.
• Frozen & Chilled Foods: Equipped with extensive cold chain logistics and storage for a variety of frozen and chilled food products, ensuring product integrity from production to distribution.
• Snacks & Confectionery: Supports the production of diverse snack foods and confectionery items, benefiting from efficient production lines and supply chain integration.

Logistics & Trade Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Multimodal Connectivity: KIZAD offers seamless integration across sea, air, road, and future rail networks, including Etihad Rail passenger services launching in 2026 and fully operational freight operations. This robust multimodal connectivity ensures efficient and flexible movement of goods, enhancing supply chain efficiency and reducing transit times.
• Global Reach: Enjoy a direct link to Khalifa Port, one of the world’s most advanced deep-sea ports, providing unparalleled global reach. Khalifa Port saw TEU volumes surge by 53% in 2024, reaching nearly 10 million TEUs annually, and connects to over 70 international destinations, positioning KIZAD as a vital gateway for global trade.
• Advanced Port Facilities: Businesses benefit from Khalifa Port’s cutting-edge facilities, including advanced container handling and efficient cargo processing. The port features 41 quay cranes and 11.7km of quay wall, ensuring smooth and rapid turnaround times for high-volume trade and logistics operations.
• Pre-Built Warehouses: KIZAD offers ready-to-use pre-built warehouses (from 513m² to 15,000m², scalable combinations) in KIZAD Logistics Park. These high-quality units minimize setup time and capital investment, allowing immediate operations for storage, distribution, or third-party logistics. KEZAD Group manages over 587,100 sqm of warehouses.
• Strategic Location: KIZAD’s advantageous position between Abu Dhabi and Dubai is optimal for regional distribution, connecting to 75% of the UAE’s population within a 90-minute drive. This central location provides excellent access to major consumer markets and industrial zones across the GCC.

Industry Applications:

• Freight Forwarding & Shipping: Leveraging multimodal connectivity and advanced port facilities for efficient global and regional movement of goods.
• Warehousing & Distribution: Utilizing pre-built warehouses for seamless storage, inventory management, and distribution of diverse products.
• E-commerce Logistics: Supporting rapid fulfillment and last-mile delivery with strategic location and efficient transport networks.
• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Services: Providing comprehensive solutions for businesses seeking outsourced logistics and supply chain management.
• Trade & Import/Export Operations: Facilitating international trade through direct access to Khalifa Port and global shipping routes.

Petrochemicals & Chemicals Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Petrochemical Clusters: KIZAD features dedicated, vertically integrated petrochemical processing facilities. This cluster approach enables synergistic operations, where raw materials from one facility can be efficiently utilized by another within the same zone, fostering a complete value chain and reducing logistical costs for chemical manufacturers.
• Safety Standards: The zone prioritizes safety in chemical operations, providing world-class safety infrastructure. This includes advanced safety protocols, robust emergency response systems, and strict environmental regulations, ensuring a secure and responsible operating environment for companies handling chemicals and hazardous materials.
• Raw Material Access: KIZAD’s proximity to key petrochemical feedstock sources provides chemical manufacturers with reliable and cost-effective access to essential raw materials. This proximity minimizes transportation costs and ensures a stable supply chain, crucial for continuous and efficient chemical production.
• Polymer Converting Facilities: KIZAD offers specialized infrastructure tailored for plastic and polymer processing. These facilities are designed to support a wide range of polymer converting activities, from extrusion and molding to compounding, catering to the diverse needs of the plastics manufacturing industry.
• Integrated Supply Chain: The zone supports a complete polymer value chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to the production of finished products. This integrated approach fosters collaboration between different players in the polymer sector, enhancing efficiency and creating a cohesive ecosystem for polymer manufacturing.
• Export Capabilities: With direct port access via Khalifa Port (which saw TEU volumes surge by 53% in 2024 and connects to over 70 international destinations), KIZAD provides excellent export capabilities for polymer products. Manufacturers can efficiently ship their finished plastic and polymer goods to international markets, leveraging the port’s global connectivity and advanced logistics services.

Industry Applications:

• Chemical & Petrochemical Production: Ideal for the manufacturing of basic chemicals, specialty chemicals, and petrochemical derivatives, benefiting from integrated clusters and robust safety measures.
• Plastic & Polymer Manufacturing: Supporting various polymer converting processes, including extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and compounding of plastic products, within specialized facilities.
• Feedstock Processing: Facilitating the efficient transformation of raw materials into intermediate and finished petrochemical products, ensuring a stable supply chain.
• Integrated Polymer Solutions: Catering to businesses involved across the entire polymer value chain, from raw material supply to the production and export of finished goods.

Paper, Print & Packaging Industry

Specialized Benefits:

• Paper & Packaging Manufacturing: KIZAD offers specialized facilities and a supportive environment for paper and packaging material production. This includes infrastructure for manufacturing various packaging solutions, from corrugated cardboard and flexible packaging to specialized paper products, meeting the diverse demands of industries requiring packaging.
• Print Services: The zone provides comprehensive capabilities for print services alongside packaging solutions. This allows businesses to access integrated printing and packaging services, ensuring high-quality branding and customized packaging for their products, streamlining the production process for consumer goods.
• Sustainability Focus: KIZAD actively supports the adoption of sustainable packaging technologies and materials. This focus aligns with global environmental trends, encouraging companies to innovate in areas like recyclable, biodegradable, and responsibly sourced packaging, promoting environmentally conscious manufacturing practices within the industry.

Industry Applications:

• Packaging Material Production: Ideal for manufacturers of diverse packaging solutions, including flexible packaging, corrugated boards, and specialized paper-based packaging.
• Commercial Printing: Supporting various printing services for product branding, marketing materials, and customized packaging designs, with integrated solutions available.
• Sustainable Packaging Solutions: Catering to companies focused on developing and producing environmentally friendly packaging materials and technologies, aligning with global sustainability goals.
• Integrated Packaging & Print Services: Providing an environment for businesses that offer combined printing and packaging solutions for consumer and industrial goods, enhancing operational efficiency.