Abu Dhabi Executive Council approves new development projects

Abu Dhabi, Jan 24, 2012 (WAM) - Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Chairman of Executive Council of Abu Dhabi His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired yesterday the Executive Council meeting in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Vice Chairman of the Executive Council. The Executive Council approved a number of new development projects for the emirate, especially in the areas of social services, housing, health and education. This is in keeping with the Government s priorities in providing a dignified life and adequate housing for all citizens. The Council gave approval for construction, renovation and infrastructure projects in Liwa, Ghayathi, Al Hayer, Al-Shuaib, Bida Al Mutawaa, Mazyed, Um Ghafa, Nema, Al Salamat Umm Alashtan and Alybanh. Additional infrastructure projects will be implemented for a number of other residential districts in the north of Al Wathba, Al Falah, Mohamed bin Zayed, and Emirati neighbourhoods in metropolitan and other areas. The North Wathba project is one of the largest residential projects to have been approved to date. It covers an area of 4,178 hectares, and on completion it will provide 13,150 new residential plots. The Abu Dhabi government will during the course of 2012 provide a total of 7,608 residential villas for its citizens. This is in line with long term planning targets for providing appropriate levels of accommodation for all Abu Dhabi citizens. The budget for infrastructure works for Khalifa Port and the development of Khalifa Industrial Zone (KIZAD) was approved by the Executive Council. These investments reflect the growing importance of Khalifa Port to Abu Dhabi s economy. The first operations are expected to commence on 1st September 2012. The Executive Council also approved projects to develop new terminal facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The new terminal building has an area of 700,000 square meters and will be able to handle 27 million passengers a year. It is planned to be open in the fourth quarter of 2016. There will be two new major road projects. The first is the Al Mafrag-Ghuwaifat road which connects the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with the neighbouring countries, and is considered to be one of the most important road development projects in the Emirate. The project includes the development and expansion of the current road by 246 km and the building of 15 new overhead interchanges. This will enhance traffic flow, ensure the security and safety of the road users and keep pace with economic growth. It should have a significant impact on the growth of the Abu Dhabi transport sector. The second major project is the extension of the existing Emirates Road from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. Provision has been made for the design of a metro and tram system to help reduce traffic congestion in the city of Abu Dhabi. The Executive Council also approved construction and maintenance of drainage systems in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. These investments are aligned with the long term strategy of the Government to support infrastructure projects, and upgrading the level of services provided to its residents, investors and visitors, and has taken account of projected population growth, rates of urbanisation and growth in tourism. Fourteen new healthcare facilities and a world-class rehabilitation centre will be built. This continues the process of upgrading the level of healthcare to serve the community, and delivering better and more uniform health services to all areas of Abu Dhabi. One of the new facilities to be built is the Abu Dhabi Cleveland Clinic, which will provide world-class services in the specialist areas of Cardiac, Digestive, Gastrointestinal, Neurological and Ophthalmological medicine. It will also provide job opportunities for citizens to work in one of the best global centres as doctors, nurses and specialists, thereby giving them the opportunity to obtain a high degree of professional experience. Provision has been made for two new industrial zones in the Western Region. Al Rowais industrial zone will cover an area of 14 square kilometres and will focus on the chemical, petrochemical, plastic manufacturing, oil and gas, cement, building, and logistics industries. The Madinat Zayed industrial zone will focus on the oil and gas, food manufacturing and logistics industries and will cover an area of 2.5 square kilometres. Both of these industrial zones will provide employment for the people of that region. The development of an auto city which will be located adjacent to ICAD (Industrial City Abu Dhabi) was approved. It will act as a cluster development for all auto-related businesses and is intended to serve the future growth needs of the automobile sector in Abu Dhabi. The project will attract investment in automobile manufacturing and spare part logistics for facilities across the region and it is also anticipated that this will provide employment opportunities for UAE nationals. A number of projects that support the UAE s global role as an energy provider have been approved. The Shams solar power plant is scheduled to be operational by August 2012 and will contribute 100MW to the Abu Dhabi power grid. Approval has also been given for the construction of the Sir Baniyas wind farm. Both of these projects will help to support the Government s vision of having 7% of its energy needs supplied by renewable energy. Maintaining the high standards of safety and security. The Executive Council approved a number of projects by the Abu Dhabi Police to provide high-end security and training infrastructure facilities to ensure that the already high standards of safety and security are maintained and enhanced. The Executive Council approved projects proposed by Abu Dhabi Education Council for the establishment of 24 new schools, and the refurbishment of 10 existing schools. Accommodation projects for teachers have also been provided for to ensure that quality staff will be prepared to work in remote areas. These investments are in line with the government s stated plans to provide an international standard education system for all of its citizens. The establishment of six special needs rehabilitation centres across the Emirate s various regions was approved. These include autism centres in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The Executive Council also approved the training and development of nationals for professional roles at the STRATA project, a composite aero structures manufacturing facility, in line with plans to have UAE nationals representing 50% of the workforce by 2015. Budgets for training and development in ITEC have also been approved to achieve similar goals in the semiconductor industry. Budgets and opening dates were approved for the museum projects in the cultural district on Saadiyat Island. These include the Zayed National Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and will rank Abu Dhabi as a world-class tourist destination. Two additional projects were approved for the redesigning and building of a new Al Ain National Museum and the design and development of the cultural Hili site. These two projects will significantly contribute to the historical material and cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi, raising awareness of Abu Dhabi s deep ancestral history, and adding value to UNESCO s international heritage collection. - Emirates News Agency, WAM