Sharjah Unveils Billion-Dirham 'Al Qasimia Gateway' Development Project

Sharjah Launches $272 Million Industrial Hub to Challenge Dubai's Manufacturing Dominance

Sharjah has unveiled the ambitious Al Qasimia Gateway Lands project, a $272 million integrated industrial and commercial city spanning 9.6 million square feet. Positioned strategically along the Dubai-Hatta road, the development signals the emirate's bold push to capture a larger share of the UAE's light and medium manufacturing sector, directly competing with Dubai's established industrial zones.

Strategic Location Drives Investment Appeal

The project's location in Al Qasimia Industrial City, near the Al Madam area, represents more than geographic convenience—it's a calculated move to intercept trade flows between the northern and southern emirates. This positioning gives manufacturers and logistics companies direct access to multiple emirates while potentially offering lower operational costs than Dubai's premium industrial locations.

Khalifa Sultan bin Hareb Al Muhairi, General Manager of Al Rasikhoon Real Estate, the project's developer, emphasized that "land investment remains the safest and most effective option," reflecting growing investor confidence in Sharjah's industrial real estate sector amid regional economic diversification efforts.

Timing Aligns with UAE's Manufacturing Push

The launch comes as the UAE accelerates its "Make it in the Emirates" initiative, aiming to increase the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP from 9% to 20% by 2031. Sharjah's move positions the emirate to capture businesses seeking alternatives to Dubai's increasingly expensive industrial real estate, where prime manufacturing land commands premium prices.

Competitive Advantage Through Cost and Flexibility

Unlike Dubai's established but saturated industrial zones like Jebel Ali, Al Qasimia Gateway Lands offers greenfield opportunities with modern infrastructure at potentially lower entry costs. The project's "Land of Opportunities" branding directly targets small and medium enterprises that may find Dubai's industrial zones cost-prohibitive.

Market Implications for Regional Manufacturing

This development reflects broader competition among GCC states to attract manufacturing investment. While Saudi Arabia pursues massive industrial cities like NEOM, and Qatar focuses on petrochemicals, the UAE's emirates are now competing internally for manufacturing supremacy.

For investors, the project represents a hedge against Dubai's rising industrial real estate costs while maintaining access to the UAE's business-friendly environment. The flexible legislative framework mentioned by developers suggests potential regulatory incentives that could make Sharjah more attractive than established alternatives.

Long-term Growth Catalyst

The 9.6 million square foot scale indicates serious ambition—roughly equivalent to 170 football fields of industrial space. This capacity could accommodate hundreds of manufacturing operations, potentially creating thousands of jobs and establishing Sharjah as a legitimate industrial alternative to Dubai.

The project's emphasis on sustainable development policies also aligns with global ESG investment trends, potentially attracting international manufacturers seeking environmentally conscious operational bases in the Middle East.