The vision of His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE to diversify the sources of the of Abu Dhabi lead to the establishment of Higher Corporation of Specialized Economics Zones (ZonesCorp) in Abu Dhabi in 2004.
The main objectives of ZonesCorp are to create, operate and manage zones of specialized economic nature. ZonesCorp in its Endeavour to attract Multinational and National investors has been establishing and developing world class Industrial Cities. This will be achieved by ensuring that ZonesCorp provides integrated state-of-the-art infrastructure and services through specialized economic zones that offer investors a business-friendly environment. ZonesCorp objective is to attract and promote industries that are knowledge, energy and capital intensive in order to transform Abu Dhabi into a manufacturing, services and logistics hub.
The ultimate aim is to transform the economy of Abu Dhabi into a well developed, modern and diversified economy. This would be achieved by opening up to international competition, promoting new economic sectors, leveraging the talent of innovative individuals & companies and becoming a major export-oriented industrial hub.
ZonesCorp is responsible for developing Industrial Cities in Abu Dhabi Emirate. It includes 5 Industrial Cities in Abu Dhabi, 2 Industrial Cities in Al-Ain, Waste Treatment Plant, and Workers Residential Cities.
CEO of ZonesCorp Engineer Jaber Hareb Al Khaili declared that: “to achieve its objectives of creating world class Industrial Cities, ZONESCORP is establishing a Quality, Health, Safety and Environment Management (QHSE) System as a key factor in successful sustainable business development for all industries within the Emirates of Abu Dhabi.
ZonesCorp, being the Environment Health & Safety (EHS) Regulatory Authority for Industrial Sector in Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is actively working in the development and implementation of a comprehensive program to ensure compliance to all EHS, Emergency and Security requirements within the Industrial Sector.
The EHS Management within Industrial Sector is in compliance to Abu Dhabi Emirate EHS Laws and the EHS Management System Framework established by the Abu Dhabi Emirate EHS Competent Authority (Environment Agency Abu Dhabi) in line with the expectations of EHS Higher Committee as envisaged by the Abu Dhabi Emirate Executive Council
ZonesCorp believes that implementation of appropriate (national & international) Design, Engineering and QHSE Codes & Standards shall ensure the safe operation of all the Industries in Abu Dhabi Emirate and eliminate incidents arising due to design deficiency or lack in Operations & QHSE Controls. ISO Certification in the areas of Quality Environment (ISO14001) and Safety & Health (OHSAS 18001) is the way forward to achieve the excellence in QHSE management at ZonesCorp.
The QHSE Team at ZonesCorp is currently working on developing the EHS Framework addressing the EHS requirements for the Industrial Sector as applicable to the Design, Construction and Operation. The EHS framework is being developed keeping in view the type of existing and forthcoming Industries in the Industrial Sector including the Workers’ Residential Cities and Labor Camps. About 60% of the EHS Framework documentation is almost ready and plans for enforcement are in hand. The enforcement program will start with awareness & training sessions for the Industries (investors) and subsequent hand holding in development of EHS Management System. The implementation will be tracked down through regular audits and inspections. Emergency Response & Crisis Management Program is established on Mutual Aid concept jointly with Civil Defense, Police, Health Authorities and the Industries.
ZonesCorp’s QHSE team looks forward to constantly striving for excellence in all aspects of health, safety and environmental related issues. The team recognizes the impact that its activities can have on people and the environment. At ZonesCorp, we believe that we live in the environment that we create. Quality, Health, Safety, Environment protection and Risk Management are the integral part of our planning and decision-making. We manage our business in an ethical way that strikes for an appropriate and well-reasoned balance between economic, social, and environmental needs through effective assessment of the risks associated in conducting our business.
In the same respect, Mr. Fahad Ali Al Braidi, director of ZonesCorp Department of Health, Environment & Safety commented on this aspect by saying: “we strive to establish and control healthy, safe, secure and environmentally responsible Industrial Cities. As with any industrial city that strives to be successful, sustainable, safe, healthy, secure and environmentally responsible we aim at closely integrating the various components of EHS into our business philosophy, programs and processes. This is to ensure that the lives, property, products, materials and ecological resources that are associated with our business activities are constantly protected, maintained and sustained”
Mr. Al Braidi added that ZonesCorp’s quality Team’s major areas of responsibilities include:
QHSE Management System,
EHS Permitting,
EHS Training,
EHS Audits,
Industrial Effluent Treatment,
Waste Management Program,
Air Quality Monitoring,
Emergency response, and crisis management……
ZonesCorp recognizes that excellent and sustainable performance in Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) management is a cornerstone of best performing organizations in the world. Performance in QHSE directly influences the financial performance of the organization while demonstrating a high level of social commitment by the business.
ZonesCorp strategic objectives focus on development, implementation and continually improvement in QHSE performance standards by instituting global best practices. Therefore, ZonesCorp encourages the Industries to establish, maintain and improve a QHSE management system with measurable performance indicators.