Located within the heart of the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD), the Block 7 Innovation Hub will cater to key sectors like healthcare, computer science, robotics, mobility, and renewable energy. This ultra-modern infrastructure includes dedicated IT facilities, smart office complexes, exhibition centers, as well as retail and entertainment spaces.
The development of the new research and innovation hub within the emirate is made possible through the collaboration of ZonesCorp, the largest operators of purpose-built economic zones in the UAE, and Block 7 Investments. The hub will specifically take advantage of ZonesCorp’s Advanced Manufacturing Cluster, a leading regional manufacturing hub serving the biopharma, environmental technologies, mobility, and ICT sectors amongst others.
"This is in line with ZonesCorp’s strategy of developing Abu Dhabi as an industrial and innovation hub," said ZonesCorp CEO Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed. "Leveraging ZonesCorp’s growing industrial ecosystem, this project will not only deliver ground-breaking concepts and solutions for the benefit of the global manufacturing industry, but will also showcase how we can combine technology, innovation, and the human element within a single environment.”
Block 7 is designed to function as a breeding ground for innovation-driven industries, having a unique setup that links to an intelligent living space. Hence, it serves as a platform for tech start-ups.
Lauding the deal, Abdullah Al Hameli, head of industrial cities and free zone cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, said that the new Block 7 Innovation Hub marks a key milestone in the emirate’s progressive efforts to position Abu Dhabi as a world-leading hub for innovation.
Moreover, Dr. Mohd Abdul Karim Bin Abdullah of Block 7 Investments said that the project would be a catalyst for sustainable development in Abu Dhabi, serving the demand from countries around the Middle East, Europe, the US, China, and Africa.