The Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) signed an agreement with the Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) to facilitate the licensing process in the industrial sector in the emirate.
Issuance of an industrial licence for land development in Abu Dhabi has always been a time-consuming process, entailing endless procedures that have investors running from one government department to another.
This new agreement will encourage new investors and will help the industrial sector to achieve sustainable competitive positions at the national and international levels, leveraging on the economic, financial and political strengths of Abu Dhabi. It will also create an industrial environment conducive to sustainable development.
The agreement was signed at the EAD headquarters by Jaber Hareb Al Khaili, CEO of ZonesCorp, and Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary-General, EAD.
"We anticipate that this agreement will enhance cooperation between EAD and the ZonesCorp in many ways.
"It will also help to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the emirate, especially those related to the environment," said Al Mansouri.
"The agreement will provide a one-stop shop (OSS) for industrial, business and environmental permits and will help simplify procedures related to issuing and following up the permit.
"As its name indicates, the OSS transforms the once time-consuming procedure into a one-step process that can be completed through a single point of contact.
"Both organizations will also cooperate in providing a joint online database and exchange expertise related to issuing industrial permits," he added.
"This agreement is in line with the belief of both organizations that protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources is the responsibility of all sectors, and specially the industrial sector," he added.
"Cooperation through this agreement includes two phases. In phase 1, ZonesCorp will implement the OSS and issue permits electronically for new projects. ZonesCorp will then forward the request to EAD to ensure that environmental requirements and regulations are being complied with, prior to issuance of the environmental permit by EAD," said Al Khaili.
He added during phase 1, ZonesCorp will not renew industrial permits for new projects and facilities.
In phase 2, ZonesCorp, will issue a penalty scheme related to environment, health and safety issues in the industrial sector after proposing it to EAD.