ADNOC unveils plans to expand Ruwais City, with focus on liveability, leisure and community

ABU DHABI, 10th September, 2018 (WAM) -- The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced, today, major development plans for Ruwais City, a 6.9-square kilometer community near the Ruwais Industrial Complex, in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region. The project will see the city’s population nearly double, over the next 15 years, to more than 50,000 people, as well as the creation of thousands of new, specialized, highly skilled jobs in parallel with ADNOC’s investment in its downstream operations. Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, unveiled the new Ruwais city brand identity – Where Opportunity Lives – in the presence of Saif Mohammed Al Hajri, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development, Sultan Khalfan Al Rumaithi, Under-Secretary of the Court of the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and other government officials, local dignitaries, ADNOC shareholders and business partners, and members of the community. The brand launch event included a VIP tour of Ruwais City, followed by lunch with the visiting delegation and ADNOC employees. The Ruwais City development plan complements ADNOC’s decision to invest AED 165 billion to develop the world’s largest integrated refining and petrochemicals complex in Ruwais. This industrial ecosystem, supported by the UAE’s stable fiscal, legal and financial system, is designed to generate long-term sustainable value for investors by providing them with: (i) access to a diverse set of competitive materials, utilities and other best in class industrial services, (ii) proximity to growing markets, (iii) and best-in-class community infrastructure that ensures an exciting work-life balance. Along with the growth of ADNOC’s own businesses, the development of both the industrial complex and the city will see a significant spill-over impact on the local economy, as local contractors and businesses grow in tandem, providing a significant boost for the local economy Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: "Our investment in the further development of Ruwais City is an investment in our people, our most important asset. It is not just about enhancing the city’s infrastructure; it is about improving residents’ quality of life as we continue to build a strong, sustainable community and create greater value for the benefit of the local economy, the region and the nation. "The AED 165 billion investment in our downstream operations, over the next five years, will have a big ripple effect that will create new employment opportunities, establish new businesses and enable existing businesses to grow and prosper. The in-county value will also be significant as we expand our operations, introduce new high-value products and grow our downstream market share." To accommodate the immediate population growth, ADNOC is constructing more than 3,000 new residential units bringing the total number of city housing units to more than 10,000, with more to be built as required. The city’s development will also include a number of projects focused on lifestyle, recreation and community, including new beach facilities, a central park, traditional souq, 18-hole golf course, cricket field, running track and cycling track, as well as the expansion of the public transport network, a range of community and civic centers and a number of health centers. Ruwais City will be further supported by the expansion of a range of integrated government service centers, including Ruwais City’s first "Tamm" Center. Instead of traveling to Abu Dhabi, residents can now obtain official government documents by visiting the Tamm Center, a one-stop-shop offering a customized suite of services specifically designed to meet the needs of the community. Counted among Ruwais City’s community offerings are eight schools and universities, three pharmacies, three major markets, three travel agencies, four fitness clubs, two large parks, a major shopping mall and range of other commercial and civic centers. The Ruwais City brand launch also includes a Brand Activation Stand, located within Ruwais City Mall, where residents and their families can learn about ADNOC’s downstream growth and city development plans. Today’s announcement follows ADNOC’s Downstream Investment Forum, held in May, where more than 40 global CEOs and over 700 senior industry leaders learned about ADNOC’s plans to become a leading global downstream player. The unprecedented investment program will underpin a new downstream strategy to significantly expand ADNOC’s refining and petrochemical operations at Ruwais and undertake highly targeted overseas investments to secure greater market access. Through a combined program of strategic partnerships and investment, ADNOC will increase its range and volume of high-value downstream products, secure better access to growth markets around the world and create a manufacturing ecosystem in Ruwais that will significantly stimulate in-country value creation, private sector growth and employment. The strategy is expected to add more than 15,000 jobs by 2025 and contribute an additional 1 percent to GDP per year. The investment program will see the entire Ruwais complex upgraded to increase its flexibility and integrated capabilities to produce greater volumes of higher-value petrochemicals and derivative products. It includes the construction of one of the world’s largest mixed feed crackers, trebling petrochemicals production capacity from 4.5 mtpa to 14.4 mtpa by 2025. ADNOC will also develop a new, large-scale, manufacturing ecosystem in Ruwais through the creation of petrochemical Derivatives and Conversion Parks. ADNOC’s downstream growth plans are in line with its 2030 strategy that will deliver profitable upstream and more valuable downstream businesses and a sustainable, economic gas supply, underpinned by more proactive and adaptive marketing and trading.