Dubai has launched a 4.5 million sqm ‘food park’ project aimed at boosting the emirate’s role in food and foodstuff re-exports.
Described by officials as unique in the region, the integrated Dubai Food Park in Dubai Wholesale City will have convenient access to marine, air, and land transport and is set to be developed at a cost of AED5.5bn ($1.5bn).
As well as a central wholesale market, the park will have a logistics area, an area for services such as packing, repacking, and processing, and an area for handling packaged goods. The zone will also host employee accommodation, hotels, financial services, a centre for integrated government services, and waste-recycling facilities.
The food trade contributes 11% of the UAE’s GDP and the industry is estimated to grow by 70% to AED23bn by 2030.
His Excellency Abdulla Al Habbai, Chairman of Dubai Holding, said: “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 ….. While this project is a unique commercial opportunity, it also provides the right platform for developing this vital sector and providing an exceptional experience that will contribute towards revolutionising the sector on a global level.”