Dubai Industrial City Achieves 15% Increase In Food & Beverage Customers In 2023

Dubai Industrial City has demonstrated significant growth in 2023, welcoming 12 new Food and Beverage (F&B) customers, with investments totaling AED800 million. This development underscores the district's position as a key player in advanced manufacturing and the regional circular economy. The addition of these new customers highlights Dubai Industrial City's attractiveness to global food manufacturers and innovators. This area is part of TECOM Group PJSC’s network of 10 dedicated business destinations, focusing on six strategic economic sectors.

The overall customer growth in the district reached 17 percent in 2023, bringing the total to more than 1,000 local, regional, and global manufacturing leaders. This includes a mix of F&B industry innovators and heavyweights. The announcement of this growth was made during Gulfood 2024, the world's largest annual F&B trade exhibition, which took place in Dubai from 19th to 23rd February. At this event, Dubai Industrial City showcased innovations from 10 of its customers, including Patchi, Al Barakah Dates, and Barakat Quality Plus. The district also highlighted the importance of mobility in food security through its Make Brilliance global awareness campaign.

Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial at TECOM Group PJSC, emphasized the critical role of advanced manufacturing in ensuring global food security. He stated that promoting advanced manufacturing is essential for a sustainable food system for future generations. Abu Alshawareb also highlighted how a resilient circular economy can boost nutrition security by conserving resources and creating new economic opportunities.

Dubai Industrial City, established in 2004, now hosts over 300 operational factories within its intelligently designed masterplan. This plan aims to foster collaboration and minimize waste reduction across various sectors including base metals, machinery, minerals, F&B, transport, and chemicals. The district's F&B zone spans 23.5 million sq ft and houses global and regional F&B industry giants such as Asmak, Barakat Quality Plus, and Silver Line Gate Group.

The infrastructure at Dubai Industrial City is tailored to support sector-specific needs. This includes industrial lands, storage and logistics spaces, and cold-storage facilities. Such infrastructure enables the district to support national socioeconomic and environmental mandates by promoting advanced agricultural practices and sustainable production methods. Abu Alshawareb further mentioned that strategies like the Dubai Economic Agenda ‘D33’, Operation 300bn, and National Food Security Strategy 2051 are paving the way for a future where food is abundant, accessible, and nutritious for all. He affirmed Dubai Industrial City’s commitment to these visions.

With inputs from WAM