Abu Dhabi Investment Office accelerates Al Ain expansion with strategic industrial growth plan
ADIO's dedicated Al Ain office is channelling significant foreign direct investment into the city, driving an ambitious manufacturing and employment strategy that targets AED172 billion in sector growth by 2031.
The Abu Dhabi Investment Office continues to strengthen the emirate’s competitive position through targeted investment initiatives centred on Al Ain, according to Hashem AlKaabi, Head of ADIO’s Al Ain Office. Speaking at the Al Ain Future Business Forum 2026, AlKaabi outlined how the office, established in May 2025, has already secured major projects that align with the emirate’s broader economic ambitions.
The Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy represents a transformative economic blueprint, aiming to expand the manufacturing sector to AED172 billion—more than double its current scale. The strategy also targets non-oil exports of AED178.8 billion and the creation of 13,600 skilled jobs by 2031, reflecting the leadership’s commitment to economic diversification and sustainable growth.
Among the notable investments attracted to Al Ain is Archer Aviation, a pioneering developer of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and air taxi technology. This venture underscores Abu Dhabi’s positioning at the forefront of advanced air mobility innovation, complementing the wider ecosystem being cultivated across the emirate.
State Street Corporation’s establishment of an operations centre in the Al Ain Region represents another significant milestone, expected to generate more than 300 employment opportunities in financial services, further diversifying the city’s economic base.
ADIO’s investment strategy encompasses more than 13 economic clusters, with four principal clusters currently operational: Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI), AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA), Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine (HELM), and FinTech, Insurance, Digital and Alternative Assets (FIDA). This cluster-based approach enables focused development across high-growth sectors.
Al Ain’s strategic advantages extend beyond its current capabilities. The city benefits from advanced infrastructure and sophisticated logistics facilities, complemented by key investment zones including Al Ain Industrial City, KEZAD and the Al Ain Airport vicinity. The forthcoming Hafeet Rail project promises to enhance connectivity further, with the UAE-Oman railway initiative strengthening logistics and export pathways across the UAE, GCC and beyond.
Source: WAM