Dubai Holding is set to launch the AED 5.5 billion Dubai Food Park at Dubai Wholesale City, offering all categories of food-related services including modern infrastructure and ancillary services.
The objective of the project is to enhance Dubai’s position as a regional hub for food trade and re-export of foodstuffs, facilitate access to new markets and global investments, and support food security in the UAE.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Chairman of Dubai Holding, commented: “Dubai Food Park has been established to meet the growing demand from the food sector in the UAE and the region, triggered by population growth and the development of the tourism sector.
“There is an increased need for specialised logistical services that ease supply chain costs, as well as for more dedicated spaces to accommodate the fast-growing operations of food companies in Dubai.”
Dubai Food Park was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in the presence of HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai.
The 48 million ft2 project is located close to Dubai South and 10 minutes from Al Maktoum International Airport and the Dubai Expo 2020 site.
It will provide a range of government services under one roof to help companies grow, reduce supply chain costs and foster innovation. These include customs, clearance, licensing, food safety and supervision.
Dubai Food Park includes a central wholesale market that serves the retail, hospitality and food service sector, a logistics area, an area for complementary services such as packing, repacking, and processing, and a dedicated area for handling packaged goods.
Employees accommodation, hotels, financial services, and a centre for integrated government services and recycling organic waste, will also feature.
Food trade makes up 11% of the UAE’s GDP and the food industry is estimated to grow by 70% to AED23 billion by 2030.
Dubai Holding is in the final stages of negotiations with international food companies headquartered in Dubai to facilitate their plans to join Dubai Food Park.
Abdulla Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Wholesale City, said: “Through the development of Dubai Food Park, we seek to provide an advanced infrastructure that meets the current and future needs of this robust sector.
“The Park is designed to meet the highest global standards to ensure efficiency of operations and ease of procedures. This will be positively reflected in the day-today transactions between companies and consumers. The new Park will be a model one-stop destination for the governmental, administrative and logistical services related to the food sector.”
