An Emirati port operator in Sharjah is to invest nearly $3m to build a “crucial” road connecting the region’s three major ports to the Saja’a Industrial Investment Park (SIIP) in Sharjah.
Gulftainer, the UAE’s largest independently-owned port operator, said the new route will connect the industrial park with Port Khalid, Hamriyah Port, and Khorfakkan Port in Sharjah through the Emirates Road highway.
The investment “aligns with its objective to play a key role in driving Sharjah’s economy”, it said.
The group said it would host a ceremony to launch construction of the road, officially named the Saja’a Permancent Access Road, although a date has not been announced.
The SIIP, a facility spanning more than 750 sq km, is expected to become a fully bonded logistics storage facility, with goods imported under bond exempt from duty or VAT until released to the local market.
Peter Richards, chief executive of Gulftainer, said: “We are delighted to announce the start of construction of this crucial road extension that, once completed, will significantly improve transport links between the Saja’a Industrial Investment Park and the three seaports of Sharjah.
“Gulftainer has been part of the emirate’s growth story for over four decades. Our investment testifies to our commitment to fuelling Sharjah’s economy and enhancing the emirate’s global competitiveness ranking.”
The industrial park aims to address the growing demand for logistics facilities in the UAE in the run-up to mega events such as Expo 2020 Dubai, which will run for six months from 20 October 2020.
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