NEWS FROM THE MONTH

VOLKSWAGEN AND FORD UNVEIL HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP / BIG BATTERY DEAL FOR BE’AH CONSTRUCTION WASTE CENTRE OPENS IN SAUDI / OMAN LOGISTICS BOOST NETWORK

Ford to build new Amarok for Volkswagen

AUTO GIANTS REVEAL COMMERCIAL VEHICLES PLANS FOR NEW ALLIANCE INCLUDING A TRADE IN VW’S ELECTRIC EXPERTISE

MANUFACTURERS

VW and Ford have revealed details on how their new strategic alliance will work, including an agreement for the US company to build a new pickup for the Amarok pickup in return for the use of Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB).

The new partners remain competitors in the marketplace but have confirmed that a medium Amarok truck engineered and built by Ford, will be available in 2022. The firms said they will further strengthen the commercialvehicles businesses of both companies as early as 2021, “with a city delivery van based on the latest Caddy model, developed and built by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and later a 1t cargo van created by Ford.”

In a statement they added that a highly differentiated Ford electric vehicle for Europe by 2023 based on Volkswagen’s MEB will expand “on Ford’s zero-emission capabilities.”

Ford and Volkswagen said that signed agreements to develop their global alliance will meet rapidly evolving needs of their respective customers in Europe and other regions “by leveraging complementary strengths in midsize pickup trucks and commercial and electric vehicles.”

With both anticipating continued growth in global industry demand for commercial vehicles and for high-performing electric vehicles, the companies expect to produce up to a combined 8 million of the medium pickup truck and both commercial vans included in the commercial relationships.

“In light of the Covid 19 pandemic and its impacts on the global economy, more than ever it is vital to set up resilient alliances between strong companies,” said Volkswagen Group CEO Dr Herbert Diess. “This collaboration will drive down development costs, allowing broader global distribution of electric and commercial vehicles, and enhance the positions of both companies.”

“This alliance comes at a time of tremendous enthusiasm about the intersection of intelligent, connected vehicles in an eversmarter world,” said Ford CEO Jim Hackett. “This creates a huge opportunity to innovate and solve many of the world’s transportation challenges.”

FORD SAYS IT EXPECTS TO DELIVER 600,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES USING VOLKSWAGEN’S MEB ARCHITECTURE – STARTING FROM 2023

FIRST CDW FACILITY IN SAUDI ARABIA TO OPEN

WASTE MANAGEMENT

The Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced that has marked a major construction milestone at its first Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) recycling plant in Saud Arabia.

Located in Al Khair, north district of Riyadh, SIRC’s new plant covers over 1.3 million square meters of land allocated by Amanat Al Riyadh. Once commissioned, it will treat up to 600 tons of CDW per hour and achieve recycling rates of over 90%, a statement from SIRC said.

The state-of-the-art facility is in the final stages of construction and will be operational by the end of July 2020, signalling the first step towards meeting the Kingdom’s national ambition of diverting 60% of CDW from landfills by 2035 in alignment with efforts to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The facility is the first to be developed under the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in July 2019 between SIRC, the National Centre for Waste Management, and Amanat Al Riyadh for embracing integrated waste management and recycling activities in the capital.

As part of the MoU, Amanat Al Riyadh will organise and direct all CDW collectors and contractors to SIRC’s Al Khair site, the statement said. The CDW will be sorted and processed in a sustainable way to produce recycled aggregates for construction projects and various road development applications, it explained. The new facility will start receiving waste from mid-June and will be fully operational by July-end, recycling 20 million tons of CDW.

KIZAD READIES NEW LOGISTICS PARK

LOGISTICS

Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) has announced that it has broken ground on small-to-medium light-industrial warehousing and industrial units within the Kizad Logistics Park (KLP). The move is said to reflect its efforts to meet the growing and diverse demands of the industry.

The units will be introduced to the market starting by the end of the year; ‘to cater to increasing demands for ready-to-move facilities’.

The launch of the new units is the latest in a series of recent developments at the industrial zone. Earlier in the month, Kizad broke ground on a dedicated Truck Plaza to meet the needs of truck drivers and the zone’s growing industrial community.

“Industrial activity and warehousing demand has been quite resilient, and we are confident that launching these ultra-modern units will propel tremendous growth in Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing

base. Customers are looking for flexible and asset-light options, and we address these needs through the launching of a new modular, pre-built units,” said Abdullah Al Hameli, acting head of Industrial Zones Cluster at Abu Dhabi Ports, the parent company behind Kizad.

MAZOON ELECTRICITY AND BE’AH INK LAB DEAL

WASTE MANAGEMENT supports Mazoon Electricity and secure the wellness, health An agreement has been in ensuring its work processes and operational safety of its signed between Mazoon are in accordance with the employees and community. Electricity Company and stipulated environmental laws The firm also says that it Oman Environmental Services of the sultanate, says the pursues business activities Holding Company (Be’ah) for statement from Mazoon. The that promote environmental the safe collection and disposal Oman environmental services protection and conservation. of lead acid batteries (LAB), company will also provide The company says it recognises in line with environmental Mazoon Electricity with approved that acts such as the safe sustainability practices. LAB waste collection pallets that disposal of LAB contributes

As per the terms of the deal, help hinder acids from leaking. to preserving biodiversity Be’ah will be responsible for Mazoon Electricity states that and creating a healthy global collecting and transporting LAB it is devoted to work processes environment. It also plans from the Mazoon Electricity and products, which has to support Be’ah’s long-term plant to a certified processing enabled it to help protect and objective to create infrastructure and recycling facility. The move reduce environmental impact which is sustainable.

PAT FALLON STEPS DOWN AS COO OF BYRNE

RENTAL

Pat Fallon, the chief operation officer of Byrne Equipment Rental is stepping down on June 10 after 26 years with the UAE-based rental company.

Fallon, who became COO of Byrne in 2008, joined the company in a business development role, rising to general management positions before heading its operations. According to Byrne, he has expanded the company’s offering and managed its geographical expansion first into Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, and most recently into Oman and Kuwait, giving it a

presence throughout the GCC.

“I will reflect on my time at Byrne with tremendous pride on what we achieved, along with my sincere thanks and respect to its team of people across the region who I was privileged to work with on the journey to deliver its enviable growth and success. I hope to see that journey continue in the same vein and I wish everyone at the Byrne Group the very best going forward,” said Falon.

Hamad Al Sulaiman, CEO of the group, said: “Pat, as a friend and a pillar of Byrne, will be missed by all of us, and his previous responsibilities will be spread to other members of senior management in a way that will reflect amicable continuity of the excellent job he was doing.”

TRANSPORTER BOOST AS AJMAN BRIDGE OPENS

ROAD NETWORK

Ajman’s Etihad Road Bridge project is now open as per the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MOID).

The first phase of the project is valued at $14.1mn and is part of the ministry’s efforts to fulfill the needs of people and achieve the happiness of road users, a statement from MOID said.

Engineer Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, deputy director of the Southern Region at the Ministry said the project will help reduce traffic jams by 75%. The project is located at the intersection of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.

Phase One of the project will increase the length of Etihad Road from the intersection of Sheikh Zayed Mosque and Al Jamaa Road up to the Al Zawra Roundabout by approximately 2.5km, resulting in three traffic lanes in each direction, explained Al Mahmoud.

The launch of a series of projects by the MOID reflects the keenness of the UAE’s leadership to achieve prosperity and provide decent lives for Emirati citizens, by

constructing vital roads around the country that will solve traffic problems and prevent traffic jams, said Al Mahmoud.

Al Mahmoud pointed out that the ministry was using quality construction materials and creating green roads systems to achieve sustainable development and protect the environment. He added that this is part of the MOID’s strategy to reduce emissions by 30%, leveling operations by 45%, electricity consumption by 50%, wasteful building materials by 70% and construction times by 10%.

H&G ADDS NEW MAINTENANCE TRACKING APP

ON-DEMAND SERVICES

Owners and tenants at MAG5 Boulevard in Dubai South can now order home maintenance services from Hitches and Glitches via a new Uber-style tracking app, called MAG FM. The MAG-branded smart technology grants users the ability to browse a wide range of home maintenance packages or ‘customise their own package’ specific to their needs.

Hitches & Glitches covers a comprehensive range of maintenance requests and repairs, from electrical and plumbing works to water tank cleaning, air conditioning and swimming pool maintenance, smart home product repairs and updates, gardening, cleaning, and general handyman jobs.

MAG’s partnership agreement with the leading UAE home maintenance company also means app users can pay for any repairs or services carried out in their home via Google and Apple Pay for any parts or service carried out in their home.

“MAG 5 Boulevard is an affordable, contemporary development with a real community feel and an accent on the modern lifestyle. Therefore, it seemed only natural for us to launch a reliable, convenient, and efficient, technologyled home maintenance solution for the residents there, before expanding the maintenance service to our other developments,”said Talal Al Gaddah, senior executive vice chairman, MAG Lifestyle Development.

The service is initially being launched at MAG5 Boulevard but is planned to be then rolled-out across Dubai.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: A LOOK AT WHY AFM’S NEW HINO 500 REFLECTS A CHANGING UAE MARKET, THE GCC POST-COVID-19, AND MUCH MORE!

JAFZA REVEALS NEW INCENTIVES FOR FIRMS

DELIVERIES

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone ( JAFZA) has announced a range of incentives to support its customers and new companies affected by the Covid-19 situation to resume activities at the free zone.

A statement from the authority said that among the new measures, JAFZA now offers on-demand warehouses on short-term lease with multi-functional storage options, competitive rates and no VAT or customs duties. Warehouses are available from 300sqm to 15,000sqm in size, with water and electricity at no charge. The facilities are also backed up by easier rental terms, such as monthly rentals and deferred rental payments.

In-house logistics solutions are also available for cost reduction, with these service including clearing and document processing, 24/7 lease issuance and fast-track EHS approval.

Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO, JAFZA, said: “Challenging times call for competitive solutions. At DP World, UAE Region and JAFZA, we’re working on customised solutions for a postpandemic trading world in which our customers pay less for more value-added service support across the board. New business and existing companies will find our investor-friendly, back-to-business ecosystem built around the emerging needs of the markers in a growth climate beyond the pandemic. Being a part of the UAE economy, we assure our customers that we will ensure the continuity of their business in the most uncertain of times by connecting them to new opportunities.”

The new incentives come on the back of the 70% reduction in registration, licensing and administrative fees announced since the pandemic lockdown began in mid-March.

OPEC’S LANDMARK LOGISTICS PLAN FOR OMAN

LOGISTICS

The OPEC Fund for International Development has signed a strategic partnership with Oman to drive development in line with the country’s ambitions to become a major regional logistics hub.

The first joint project, the Alsharqiya Expressway Tunnels Project, is already underway to improve connectivity between the north and eastern regions of the country, the OPEC Fund said in a statement.

The $130 million project is co-financed by an OPEC Fund public sector loan and the Omani government.

The fund said that the project aligns with the Sultanate’s plans to strengthen the transportation sector to reinforce its credentials as a regional logistics hub.

“The Alsharqiya Expressway Tunnels Project is one of a series of investments with this goal in mind, and the OPEC Fund stands ready to provide further support,” the statement added.

As part of the project, two ‘twin-tube’ tunnels have been constructed with a combined length of four kilometres.

The tunnels safely bypass a critical floodplain, a major town and an area prone to landslides. The ultimate

objective is to provide better access to jobs, markets and public services.

OPEC Fund Director-General Dr Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “We are delighted to launch a major development partnership with Oman. It is befitting to mark the beginning of our cooperation with such a landmark project that includes the first-ever tunnels in the country and provides safer travel for over one million people.

He added: “We look forward to building our partnership and working on many more development projects together.”

NEW RENAULT IS A ‘SYMBOL’ FOR A NEW AGE

CARS

The latest model of Renault’s subcompact Symbol car has been launched in the region. Announcing its debut in the UAE, Arabian Automobiles, the exclusive dealer for Renault in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, said it was “excited to present a reflection of automotive convenience and comfort.”

Subcompact cars are regarded as fuel efficient and suitable for urban use. The Symbol has an impressive 510-litre luggage compartment for its class, and features front C-shape LED daytime running lights and rear-end lighting signature. The exterior comes with a glossy black and chrome grille, fog lamp embellishers, side mouldings and strips, a b-pillar with shiny black striping, and a new boot door with chrome.

It also utilises Renault’s new Media Nav 2.0 multimedia system, an integrated rear-view camera and parking sensors, driver’s side one-touch electric window.