Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Olympic Committee, today visited Al Barakah Dates Factory, renowned as the world's first solar-powered dates facility, situated in Dubai Industrial City, part of the TECOM Group.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Mansoor was received by Saleem Mohamed, Chairman of the Board of Al Barakah Dates, and Yousuf Saleem, Managing Director of Al Barakah Dates. During his visit, Sheikh Mansoor emphasized the leadership's focus on Dubai's industrial sector, highlighting its role in diversifying the economy and fostering sustainable growth. He noted that the sector is crucial for enhancing exports, creating jobs, and promoting knowledge localisation, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to expand the sector's contribution with a focus on green and sustainable industries.
Sheikh Mansoor stressed the private sector's essential role in advancing Dubai's industrial capabilities and reiterated the emirate's commitment to providing a range of incentives and support to attract investment. Dubai continues to strengthen its infrastructure and logistics, reinforcing its position as a leading global trade and investment hub.
Accompanying Sheikh Mansoor were Malek Al Malek, Director-General of the Dubai Development Authority and CEO of TECOM Group; Saeed Al Eter, Assistant Secretary-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives Foundation; and Saud Abu Alshawareb, Executive Vice President of Industrial Leasing at TECOM Group. Yousuf Saleem briefed Sheikh Mansoor on the factory's operations, noting its status as the world's largest privately owned date processing facility, spanning 800,000 square feet in Dubai Industrial City.
Saleem highlighted the factory's annual production capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes and its strategic location near Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport, facilitating efficient global market access. Approximately 7,000 containers of dates and related products are exported annually to over 90 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union nations.
During the visit, Sheikh Mansoor praised Al Barakah Dates for its charitable contributions to initiatives such as the 'One Billion Meals' campaign, Emirates Food Bank, Al Jalila Foundation, and Faraj Fund, showcasing the Dubai business community's philanthropic spirit. He also reviewed the factory's clean energy strategy, noting the installation of over 6,500 solar panels which cut carbon emissions by about 3,000 tonnes annually, reflecting Dubai and the UAE's commitment to sustainability and reducing fossil fuel dependency.