The group’s growing influence in non-oil sectors boosts national economic diversification and job creation across industry, logistics, and trade.
AD Ports Group, a leading catalyst in Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification efforts, contributed an impressive 22.9% to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP in 2022. The group’s activities spanned diverse sectors, including trade, industry, and logistics, generating a total value-added contribution of Dh132.7 billion to the emirate. On a broader scale, AD Ports Group contributed 11.6% to the UAE’s national non-oil economy, amounting to Dh150.6 billion.
These findings, derived from a recent study by Oxford Economics, underscore AD Ports Group’s essential role in shaping a resilient non-oil-based economy for both Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Since the release of 2020 data, AD Ports Group’s share in Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP has grown significantly, rising from 21% to 22.9% in 2022, highlighting the organization’s expanding impact, particularly as the UAE pursues its vision of long-term economic resilience and diversity.
As a global player, AD Ports Group has established an international ecosystem encompassing ports, economic cities, maritime services, and logistics in over 50 countries across the Middle East, Northern Africa, Asia, and Europe. This extensive reach not only supports the UAE’s position as an economic hub but also contributes to international trade and industrial development, creating crucial infrastructure and economic opportunities.
In 2022, the Economic Cities and Free Zones Cluster (EC&FZ) was responsible for 95% of AD Ports Group’s total economic impact. This cluster, particularly through Kezad Group’s vast tenant base of over 2,000 businesses, drove substantial growth in various sectors like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and information technology. The contribution of Kezad, the largest economic zones ecosystem in the MENA region, demonstrates the central role of industrial development and tenant businesses in supporting economic diversity.
AD Ports Group’s activities not only generate revenue but also significantly impact employment, supporting 398,400 jobs nationwide in 2022. This figure represents 14.1% of total non-oil sector employment in the UAE, underscoring the group’s position as a key job creator. Within Abu Dhabi, AD Ports Group supported 261,700 jobs, constituting over 32% of the emirate’s manufacturing workforce, and providing critical employment in sectors such as construction.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, managing director and group CEO of AD Ports Group, expressed pride in the group’s impact: “The latest findings confirm the Group’s growing economic impact and continued ability to lay the foundations for a sustainable, diversified economy for Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and future generations. Guided by our wise leadership, the Group is working diligently to open new economic horizons that offer next-generation economic infrastructure and job opportunities.”
Ross Thompson, group chief strategy and growth officer, added, “Through an expanding global footprint and market-leading positions in industrial development, transport, trade, and logistics, AD Ports Group is bringing the best of Abu Dhabi and the UAE to a wider world, and, increasingly, the world’s best to Abu Dhabi’s door. As the Group grows bigger and more diverse, so too are the economies of Abu Dhabi and the UAE.”
By expanding its global presence and maintaining a diverse portfolio, AD Ports Group continues to play a crucial role in the UAE’s transition to a sustainable and diversified economy. With each new initiative, the group demonstrates the value of strategic economic infrastructure, setting the foundation for growth, prosperity, and resilience well into the future.
