In a move that’s touted as an industry-first by a private sector developer, Al Hanoo hopes the new facility will boost safety and security to industries, warehouse and save valuable lives. Sheikh Abdullah Al Shakrah, chairman of Al Hanoo Real Estate, expressed his gratitude to Sharjah Civil Defence, commenting: “We are grateful to Sharjah Civil Defence department for their role in maintaining industrial and public safety across the emirate. “The piece of land at Sharjah Auto Park and Warehouse City will help Sharjah Civil Defence to develop a fully-equipped fire station that will ensure prompt response in case of any fire incident in the area,” he said.

Sharjah Auto Park and Warehouse City includes a wide range of light and medium industries, including manufacturing, packaging, distribution, logistics, furniture suppliers, industrial equipment, spare parts, home appliances and construction materials.

The project also has 140,000m2 of open yards, with more planned. Col Sami Al Naqbi, Director-General of Sharjah Civil Defence said: “This is a great example of how businesses can help the public sector in boosting public services – be it fire safety or any other services.

We will develop a state-of-the art fire station at the plot of land that will not only provide industrial safety to all the tenants of the Sharjah Auto Park and Warehouse City – but other assets in the Sajaa Industrial Area – which is thriving with industrial and logistics activities.” Sharjah has long been the UAE’s largest manufacturing base accounting for nearly one-third of total manufacturing production.

The sector currently accounts for 16% of Sharjah’s GDP and the Industrial Affairs Department of the Sharjah Economic Development Department estimates that this could rise to 25% by 2025.