Construction work has kicked off on the UAEs first tyre manufacturing plant, which is being developed in KIZADs China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone. The Roadbot Tire Project KIZAD (Roadbot) is being developed in line with international standards, will feature the latest innovations in tire production and is expected to become operational in October 2020.
The 2.2sqkm Demonstration Zone is being developed by Jiangsu Provincial Overseas Cooperation and Investment Company (JOCIC). Roadbot is the the first Chinese firm to set up there since JOCIC and Abu Dhabi Ports signed a 50-year agreement in 2017. The Roadboat project was launched last year during the visit of Chinese Premier Xi Jinping to the UAE.
The Roadbot tire factory will make an important contribution to the UAEs manufacturing base as part of our leaderships longstanding strategy to diversify our economy. The groundbreaking also demonstrates the increasingly close ties between the UAE and China and reinforces the UAEs role as a key partner in Chinas Belt and Road initiative. This inauguration marks another significant step towards cementing Abu Dhabis role as a hub for global trade and connectivity, leveraging the UAEs unique position as a trading link between East and West and supporting the leaderships vision to enhance the UAEs position as a highly attractive destination for investment in todays competitive business environment, said His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber.
The factory will be spread over 275,000sqm and will have an initial annual production capacity of three million Passenger Car Radial (PCR) tyres and one million Truck and Bus Radial (TBR) tyres. Production of PCR tires will increase to 10m annually by 2022. The facility strengthens Abu Dhabis unique position in the regional original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and replacement tire markets, the statement said.
Roadbot Chairwoman Zhang Yingzi added, The Roadbot Abu Dhabi tyre project is the result of close cooperation between the UAE and Chinese governments. It is an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative and a crystallisation of multiculturalism, based on the principle of achieving shared growth through discussion and collaboration. We are deeply honored to be playing a part in the economic transformation in Abu Dhabi.
Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports commented, Roadbot will connect Abu Dhabi to global and regional automotive manufacturing demand; joining over 19 Chinese companies that have signed agreements to invest over $1bn in the demonstration zone established within the KIZAD. These companies have identified the value proposition that helped put Abu Dhabi Ports and KIZAD on the global trade map, especially in the context of the Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.
The Roadbot Tire Project KIZAD is expected to play a major role in the UAEs economic diversification and sustainability plans. It is estimated to create up to 1,200 new jobs and support the development of an innovative and sustainable ecosystem for the automotive industry in the UAE.
