Industrial Zones in the UAE
KEZAD in Abu Dhabi
KEZAD Group, part of AD Ports Group, was formed in 2022 by merging Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD) and the Specialised Economic Zones company ZonesCorp. It runs 12 economic zones covering 550 square kilometres, of which 100 square kilometres are free zones and the rest mainland economic zones. It says the group makes up 55% of the UAE's industrial area.1
| Area | Suited to |
|---|---|
| KEZAD Al Ma'mourah (Areas A and B) | Port-linked industry next to Khalifa Port, and large plots for expansion |
| KEZAD Musaffah | Serving the domestic market in Abu Dhabi |
| KEZAD Al Ain | Food and fresh produce |
| KEZAD Al Faya | Basic industries |
Source: KEZAD Group: Brochure (May 2026)3
By the end of 2025 KEZAD had leased 73.6 square kilometres of land, 3.3 square kilometres of it new that year, and 67% of its leases were for industrial and manufacturing activity. It reports more than 2,000 companies, 164,600 jobs and more than 40 staff accommodation complexes with 136,000 beds.2,3
Dubai Industrial City
Dubai Industrial City, one of TECOM Group's business districts, opened in 2004 near Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port and an Etihad Rail freight terminal. Its masterplan has six sector zones: base metals, machinery, minerals, food and beverage, transport, and chemicals.4,5
By September 2024 it had more than 1,100 customers, more than 350 operational factories and a workforce of over 17,000. It added 13.9 million square feet of industrial land in 2024, and attracted more than AED 350 million of food and beverage investment that year.4,5
The national strategy
Operation 300bn, run by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, aims to raise industry's contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031. UAE industrial GDP reached AED 210 billion in 2024, and Abu Dhabi produced 53% of it.7,6
Under the In-Country Value programme, suppliers with an ICV certificate gain an advantage in government and large-company tenders, so local production can help win contracts.8
Choose the zone by where your inputs arrive and your customers are: next to Khalifa Port or Jebel Ali for imports and exports, near the cities for the domestic market. Ask whether the plot is in a free zone or a mainland economic zone, as the licence and the rules for selling in the UAE differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I build a factory in the UAE?
The largest operators of industrial land are KEZAD Group in Abu Dhabi, with 12 economic zones over 550 square kilometres, and Dubai Industrial City, with more than 350 operational factories. Both offer land on long leases and ready-built warehouses.
Sources
- AD Ports Group: KEZAD Group launched (19 September 2022)
- AD Ports Group: KEZAD Group attracts AED 147 million in new projects (6 April 2026)
- KEZAD Group: Brochure (May 2026)
- Dubai Media Office: Dubai Industrial City marks 20 years (21 November 2024)
- Dubai Industrial City: More than AED 350 million F&B investments in 2024 (18 February 2025)
- WAM: Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy drives 23% sector growth (19 May 2025)
- UAE Government Portal: Operation 300bn, the UAE's industrial strategy
- Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology
Figures checked 22 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.