Sharjah 31 July, 2021: Al Aliyo HydroFarms, the leading hydroponic fodder in the UAE, has inaugurated two warehouses in the Sharjah Food Park with initial investments estimated at AED 9 million.

 

The two facilities covering an area of 12,000 sq.ft. will have a daily production capacity of about 10 tons of hydroponic fodder, marking the company’s first phase of investments in the Hamriyah Free Zone after signing a lease agreement with the authority during the 26 edition of Gulfood 2021. 

The move comes in line with Al Aliyo’s plans to expand operations in the region to better serve its customers in the local and global markets, something which reflects Sharjah’s unique position as a global magnet for major industrial companies.

This is also an indication of how HFZA’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, exceptional services, privileges and facilities can attract major international businesses. 

Al Aliyo HydroFarms will run the UAE’s first unique project to produce and grow organic fodder for livestock in hydroponic farms based on an innovative concept using the latest technologies in the field.

 

HE Saud Salim Al Mazrouei, Director of Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA), inaugurated the two facilities in the presence of Tarannum Malik, CEO of Al Aliyo Hydrofarms as well as a high-profile delegation from HFZA. 

Al Mazrouei was briefed about the company’s products and innovative solutions developed based on advanced hydroponics technologies that are not dependent on temperatures and seasonality. The entire production process is 100% organic; where there is no usage of pesticides or fertilizers. Moreover, there is no wastage.

 

Innovative sectors

Speaking on the occasion, Al Mazrouei affirmed HFZA’s keenness to attract and encourage international companies operating in innovative fields to base their regional operations in Sharjah. This comes in line with the forward-looking vision and wise directives of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which aim to turn Sharjah into a global hub for quality industries and support economic diversification plans in the emirate. 

“We will spare no effort to provide services of top-notch quality to investors to enhance the continued flow of foreign direct investment in various sectors,” he said.

 

Excellent addition

“Al Aliyo’s investments in the Hamriyah Free Zone is an excellent addition to the livestock sector in Sharjah and the UAE. It will help sustainably meet breeders' need for feed by providing high-quality green fodder to farmers, in line with the National Food Security Strategy, which aims to ensure the flexibility and continuity of food supply chains, now that livestock is an important source of food security,” he added.

 

Remarkable growth 

“The Sharjah Food Park is witnessing remarkable growth and attracting reputable international companies specialized in the food industries. In addition to its quality facilities, integrated business base and infrastructure, the park provides investment incentives that perfectly meet investors’ aspirations, help them build a strong presence within the global food sector and provide promising opportunities in the local and neighbouring markets,” HFZA Director noted. 

Extending over an area of 11 million square feet, Sharjah Food Park is home to some 1700 companies operating in food manufacturing, preservation, packaging, re-packaging, import and export to markets around the globe.

 

Competitive advantages

For her part, Tarannum Malik, CEO of Al Aliyo Hydrofarms, said that the company’s decision to launch its unique project in the free zone was made for several considerations including HFZA’s growth-stimulating environment and unparalleled facilities that live up to our aspirations and serves our goals and strategic plans. We are looking forward to making the most of the free zone’s competitive advantages to serve our customers locally and globally and enhance our access to various world markets starting from Sharjah.

 

Malik added that Al Aliyo’s revolutionary hydroponic methods offer a long-term solution to the challenges of the agricultural industry. With minimal carbon emissions and reduced energy consumption, Al Aliyo is economical, sustainable, green and environmentally friendly. With enhanced nutritional content and hygienic-sanitary growing processes, our fodder is an excellent addition or replacement to synthetic feeds, which will reduce feeding costs by 20%- 45%.

The Hamriyah Free Zone is the UAE's second-largest industrial free zone, offering customizable industrial and commercial lands, state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern facilities that support the investors’ expansion plans, especially in import and re-export to world markets.

It also provides countless competitive advantages, most notably a single-window operation that boosts the efficiency of performance and eases procedures of doing business, along with multiple tax exemptions, repatriation of capital and profits, full foreign ownership of the business, and quick access to regional and global markets.