Jafza and Eaton partner for advanced manufacturing Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) and Eaton have signed an agreement to build a new sustainable campus. It aims to boost Dubai's capabilities in the advanced manufacturing of electrical and electronic components to serve industries including data centres, buildings, and solar energy. The construction of the 153,000 sqm facility will begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed in 2026. It will include a state-of- the-art R&D centre dedicated to sustainable manufacturing, power management, machine learning, AI, and other related fields. The project will create approximately 700 jobs. The campus will leverage sustainable technology and demonstrate how commercial and industrial buildings can play an important role in the energy transition. The manufacturing centre will be fully digitally enabled, using automation, analytics, and advanced robotics to enhance production processes. It will set a benchmark for sustainable buildings and advanced manufacturing in the region. Speaking at the signing ceremony, H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World said, “This strategic partnership with Eaton is a significant advancement in our efforts to develop smart manufacturing facilities in Jafza, directly supporting Dubai's D33 strategy. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate a substantial impact on the UAE’s economy, contribute towards the transition to sustainable energy and provide valuable opportunities for young Emiratis.” The agreement signing ceremony. 3 Annual Construction Review 2024 | www.technicalreviewmiddleeast.com News Image Credits: Jafza (top left); DAMAC Group (top right); ABB (bottom)