Operation 300bn is set to be a game changer in transforming the UAE’s manufacturing sector into a global powerhouse. The 10-year industrial strategy announced last year by the UAE government seeks to more than double the GDP share of the manufacturing sector from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031. The bold initiative includes the ‘Make It In The Emirates’ campaign to expand the UAE’s manufacturing base by encouraging local and international investors to manufacture in the UAE – this is further supported by the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program, which aims to boost local demand for locally produced goods and services.
To achieve its goal of doubling the size of the manufacturing sector, the UAE will need the requisite infrastructure, of which high-quality logistics and industrial warehousing is a key component. The ready availability of high-quality warehouses to support manufacturing and the storage of components and finished goods, whether for export or domestic consumption, is critical to success. Additionally, the proportion of Grade A warehousing in Abu Dhabi relative to the total warehouse supply remains relatively low.
Peninsula is investing in this growth story and has agreed to acquire all currently leased warehouse buildings situated within the ALMARKAZ Industrial Development - as well as the next stage of the ALMARKAZ development, once completed. Peninsula is committed to ensuring that the ALMARKAZ tenants continue to view ALMARKAZ as one of the best facilities in the country. Furthermore, in keeping with Abu Dhabi’s commitment to growth through sustainable and responsible industrial production, Peninsula will seek to work closely with tenants to set measurable energy efficiency and decarbonisation targets.
Developments such as ALMARKAZ Industrial Development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi offer a blueprint for the type of development that can underpin the region’s manufacturing transformation journey – and help Operation 300bn become a reality. Spread across 6 square kilometres of greenfield land in Al Dhafra, ALMARKAZ is subdivided equally into 4 Phases. Approximately 25 per cent of the land in Phase 1 is currently developed, providing 362,000 square metres of industrial space to tenants, many of which operate in precisely the sub-sectors targeted for growth, such as metals, food and beverage, chemicals, plastics, logistics and technology.
Peninsula’s acquisition of the ALMARKAZ properties also demonstrates how real estate investment managers can play a key role in enhancing real estate assets to ensure that they always meet the needs of tenants. Separating real estate development from ongoing asset and operational management enables the numerous companies that make up the real estate value chain to specialise in what they do best.
By purchasing real estate from developers, real estate investment companies such as Peninsula provide an essential platform through which to finance the growth of a sector that, in turn, provides the necessary infrastructure to the manufacturing and logistics sectors of the economy.
James Gallon, CEO of Peninsula, says: “Peninsula’s role at ALMARKAZ is directly linked to the country's long-term strategic goals. Furthermore, by committing to the purchase of the next stage of the ALMARKAZ development, we are providing the developer with the certainty it needs to continue developing and thereby increasing the UAE’s stock of Grade A industrial and logistics warehouses. The industrial development will continue to expand over the coming years, providing much-needed additional real estate infrastructure to the country’s manufacturers and suppliers, and Peninsula is delighted to be playing a role in this development.”
Mohamed Al Nowais, Managing Director of Waha Capital, says: “We are proud to witness the transformative impact of Operation 300bn on the UAE's manufacturing sector, and Waha Capital is committed to supporting this game-changing initiative. Through the ALMARKAZ development, we not only contribute to the UAE's manufacturing growth but also address a crucial gap in the Abu Dhabi market for high-quality warehouse facilities. ALMARKAZ, with its state-of-the-art infrastructure and Grade A industrial and logistics facilities, is perfectly positioned to meet the needs of local and international investors seeking top-tier warehouse spaces. We are confident that ALMARKAZ will play a pivotal role in bolstering Abu Dhabi's industrial landscape and attracting businesses that will drive the region's economic expansion."
Hazem Saeed Al Nowais, Chief Executive Officer of Waha Land, commented: “ALMARKAZ fully aligns with Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030, offering infrastructure-ready industrial land that serves as an ideal base for light and medium industries. With a diverse range of facilities and excellent connectivity to all major ports in the country, it is well-positioned for sustained growth. The development’s continued expansion over the coming years provides an exciting opportunity for us to collaborate with partners like Peninsula and support the region's economic advancement.”
The UAE’s commitment to transforming from an oil-based economy into an industrial powerhouse represents an opportunity for the UAE’s real estate sector to attract investment from global institutional investors. As companies like Peninsula facilitate the success of Operation 300bn, investors from around the world will be provided the opportunity to participate in diversified and liquid ownership of strategic assets at scale.
Asad Hussaini, Executive Vice Chairman of Peninsula, added: “We view the fundamentals of the industrial and logistics real estate sector extremely positively. Not only is the UAE economy one of the stand-out successes of the post-COVID era, but growth is set to be sustained by strategies such as Operation 300bn. We are excited to be playing our part, and believe we are well-poised to deliver visible growth and value creation for our partners and contribute towards the development of Abu Dhabi as a leading industrial hub.”
As the sector continues to grow, with the government's focus on delivering sustained economic expansion, the UAE is well on its way to achieving its goals and cementing its position as a leading economic player in the region and beyond.
Peninsula is an internally managed real estate investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi Global Market. Established in 2019, Peninsula is constructing a high quality and diversified real estate portfolio across the GCC, focused on delivering long-term total shareholder returns via sustainable dividends, growth, best-in-class governance standards and reporting.
Waha Land, the industrial real estate subsidiary of Waha Capital, has invested significantly over several years to develop and lease the ALMARKAZ Industrial Development. Developed by Waha Land as an integrated mixed-use industrial development with Grade “A” industrial and logistics facilities and first-class infrastructure, ALMARKAZ is perfectly situated to capitalise on easy access to the UAE’s growing industrial and logistics infrastructure, including major land, sea, air, and rail routes.
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Tips for avoiding trouble online
- Do not post incorrect information and beware of fake news
- Do not publish or repost racist or hate speech, yours or anyone else’s
- Do not incite violence and be careful how to phrase what you want to say
- Do not defame anyone. Have a difference of opinion with someone? Don’t attack them on social media
- Do not forget your children and monitor their online activities
CONCRETE COWBOY
Directed by: Ricky Staub
Starring: Idris Elba, Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome
3.5/5 stars
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MATCH INFO
Northern Warriors 92-1 (10 ovs)
Russell 37 no, Billings 35 no
Team Abu Dhabi 93-4 (8.3 ovs)
Wright 48, Moeen 30, Green 2-22
Team Abu Dhabi win by six wickets
Ruwais timeline
1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established
1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants
1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed
1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.
1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex
2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea
2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd
2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens
2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies
2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export
2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.
2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery
2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital
2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13
Source: The National
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 5 (Lenglet 2', Vidal 29', Messi 34', 75', Suarez 77')
Valladolid 1 (Kiko 15')
Who is Tim-Berners Lee?
Sir Tim Berners-Lee was born in London in a household of mathematicians and computer scientists. Both his mother, Mary Lee, and father, Conway, were early computer scientists who worked on the Ferranti 1 - the world's first commercially-available, general purpose digital computer. Sir Tim studied Physics at the University of Oxford and held a series of roles developing code and building software before moving to Switzerland to work for Cern, the European Particle Physics laboratory. He developed the worldwide web code as a side project in 1989 as a global information-sharing system. After releasing the first web code in 1991, Cern made it open and free for all to use. Sir Tim now campaigns for initiatives to make sure the web remains open and accessible to all.
The bio
Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales
Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow
Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades
Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus
Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga
Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
England Test squad
Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Final results:
Open men
Australia 94 (4) beat New Zealand 48 (0)
Plate men
England 85 (3) beat India 81 (1)
Open women
Australia 121 (4) beat South Africa 52 (0)
Under 22 men
Australia 68 (2) beat New Zealand 66 (2)
Under 22 women
Australia 92 (3) beat New Zealand 54 (1)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Honeymoonish
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What are the main cyber security threats?
Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
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Read more from Aya Iskandarani
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
