Amid rapid transformations in the mining sector regionally, the Emirate of Fujairah showcases an economic model that leverages its natural resources to drive growth within a comprehensive development vision. In an interview, Engineer Ali Qasem, Director General of the Fujairah Natural Resources Corporation, revealed that the mining industry in the emirate has recently experienced significant expansion, highlighted by the establishment of four new factories and the awarding of fifteen mining contracts. This development has provided a direct boost to the local economy and has enhanced the industrial investment environment.
Qasem noted that this expansion was not purely quantitative but resulted from economic planning aimed at increasing the efficiency of operations and boosting production capacity. He pointed out that the commencement of new factories has invigorated economic activity and opened broader avenues for related mining and industrial investments, thereby enhancing the sector’s contribution to the emirate’s gross domestic product.
Regarding the impact of institutional transformation, he confirmed that the adoption of advanced digital measures significantly reduced operational costs for stakeholders and expedited business processes. This improvement has positively influenced the emirate’s competitiveness and investment appeal. Qasem emphasized that the digitization progress within the corporation has been impressive, with approximately 92% of transactions automated digitally, alongside the introduction of 12 digital services that cover sector-related transactions, creating a more efficient and flexible work environment aligned with sustainable economic growth requirements in the emirate.
On the compliance and governance framework, he explained that the corporation achieved high compliance rates with regulatory and environmental requirements at 96%, and a 95% adherence to occupational safety standards. He highlighted that this performance reflects the maturity of the regulatory framework and boosts investor confidence, while the emirate has solidified its regional and international presence through the success of ten consecutive editions of the Fujairah International Mining Conference.
The Economic Impact
Discussing the economic impact, Ali Qasem noted that organizational and developmental efforts in the mining sector have generated new investment opportunities, enhanced facility efficiency, and increased industrial production volumes. He affirmed that a stable regulatory environment and effective environmental oversight have become crucial factors in attracting quality projects that add value to the local economy. The growth in the number of factories and mining contracts is a fundamental pillar supporting the emirate’s economy, reinforcing its status as a significant center for mining activities both nationally and regionally.
As for new industrial projects, Qasem revealed that 2025 will see the inauguration of strategic factories, including the “Asia White” factory for the production of clinker and white cement with a capacity of 265,000 tons annually, and the “Apex Chemical Industries” factory specializing in calcium carbonate with a production capacity of 200,000 tons per year. Additionally, the “Power International” factory will be the emirate’s first facility to produce quicklime with an annual output of 240,000 tons, along with the opening of the Arab company for basalt fibers, which stands as the largest facility of its kind in the Middle East.