KEZAD Group, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has announced the launch of a major new project, the SME Hub, with an investment of AED 112 million (approximately USD 30.5 million). The development is expected to become one of the largest dedicated support centers for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the UAE’s industrial sector and is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
The project comes as the United Arab Emirates continues to diversify its economy and increase the contribution of SMEs to national GDP. Small and medium-sized enterprises already account for a substantial share of economic activity across the Emirates, while the development of new industrial zones remains a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic strategy.
A New Chapter for Industrial Entrepreneurship
The SME Hub will be located within the KEZAD industrial and logistics zone and will occupy approximately 25,000 square metres.
Once completed, the facility will provide businesses with:
- 175 ready-to-use micro-industrial units;
- Flexible manufacturing spaces;
- Modern office facilities;
- Conference and meeting rooms;
- A business support centre;
- Warehouse facilities;
- Integrated logistics services;
- Digital business management solutions.
A key feature of the project is its plug-and-play concept, allowing entrepreneurs to begin operations almost immediately after signing a lease agreement without the need to invest heavily in constructing their own facilities.
According to KEZAD management, this approach significantly reduces time-to-market and lowers initial capital expenditure for growing businesses.
KEZAD Leadership Focuses on SME Growth
Abdullah Al Hameli, Chief Executive Officer of KEZAD Group, stated that supporting the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises remains one of the company’s strategic priorities.
According to Al Hameli, the new SME Hub will enable entrepreneurs to scale production more rapidly, reduce operating costs, and gain direct access to world-class industrial and logistics infrastructure.
“We are creating an environment where companies can focus on growing their businesses rather than solving infrastructure challenges. The new centre will provide the flexibility businesses need to expand quickly and access new markets,” Al Hameli said.
He also emphasized that the project aligns closely with the UAE’s economic diversification objectives and is designed to increase the contribution of manufacturing and industrial activity to the national economy.
Direct Access to Strategic Transportation Infrastructure
One of the project’s most significant advantages is its location.
The SME Hub will be fully integrated into the AD Ports Group ecosystem and will offer direct connectivity to:
- Khalifa Port;
- The national Etihad Rail network;
- The UAE’s major highway system;
- Abu Dhabi International Airport;
- Free zone logistics and distribution centres.
According to the company, this connectivity will enable businesses to reach approximately 75% of urban areas across the UAE within a 90-minute drive.
For manufacturers and distributors, this means the ability to establish highly efficient same-day delivery operations throughout the country, an increasingly important capability for e-commerce, light manufacturing, and retail distribution businesses.
Supporting Local Manufacturing Growth
In recent years, the UAE government has actively promoted initiatives aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.
The new SME Hub is expected to attract companies operating in sectors such as:
- Consumer goods manufacturing;
- Packaging solutions;
- E-commerce;
- Logistics and fulfilment services;
- Food processing;
- Component manufacturing;
- Light industry;
- Technology startups.
The development is expected to help many businesses transition from startup operations to full-scale manufacturing without requiring substantial investments in industrial real estate or supporting infrastructure.
Strong Support from AD Ports Group
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Chairman of AD Ports Group, has consistently highlighted the importance of developing integrated industrial clusters around Khalifa Port as part of Abu Dhabi’s strategy to strengthen its position as a global trade and logistics hub.
According to the group’s leadership, combining maritime, rail, warehousing, and industrial infrastructure into a single ecosystem creates an environment capable of attracting investment, supporting business expansion, and enhancing supply chain efficiency.
The company also expects demand for such facilities to continue growing due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce, increasing manufacturing localisation, and rising international trade volumes.
Significance for the Logistics Industry
The importance of the project extends well beyond supporting SMEs.
The new facility is expected to generate additional demand for:
- Warehouse capacity;
- Transportation services;
- Container shipping;
- Rail freight solutions;
- Freight forwarding services;
- Customs brokerage operations.
In effect, KEZAD is building a new industrial and logistics ecosystem around Khalifa Port where manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation operations are closely integrated.
This integration is expected to reduce transportation costs while accelerating delivery times for both domestic and export markets.
Part of Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030
The SME Hub project fully supports the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons while expanding advanced manufacturing and industrial development.
The facility is expected to create hundreds of new jobs, attract additional tenants to the KEZAD industrial zone, and contribute to increased cargo volumes through Khalifa Port during its initial years of operation.
Strengthening the UAE’s Position as a Regional Logistics Leader
The launch of SME Hub forms part of a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing the UAE’s status as one of the Middle East’s leading logistics and industrial centres.
As global supply chains continue to evolve, the Emirates are positioning themselves to attract international companies through modern infrastructure, a business-friendly regulatory environment, and strategic access to markets across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Industry analysts believe that continued investment in industrial and logistics infrastructure surrounding Khalifa Port could transform the area into one of the fastest-growing industrial clusters in the Gulf region over the next five years.
What It Means for Business
For small and medium-sized enterprises, the new development offers an opportunity to establish manufacturing or logistics operations with minimal capital investment while benefiting from direct access to major regional transportation networks.
For international investors, the project serves as further evidence that the UAE remains committed to investing in world-class industrial and logistics infrastructure to support trade, manufacturing, exports, and long-term economic growth.
Once operational in late 2026, SME Hub is expected to become one of the region’s most important platforms for the next generation of manufacturing, technology, and logistics companies in the Middle East.
