The Swiss zone in Masdar
The Swiss Village is to be located between the Institute of Science and Technology and the central administration building in the heart of Masdar. The Swiss Village is to offer a balanced mix of uses with offices, research labs and light manufacturing facilities, restaurants and shops, a Swiss business hub, a Swiss private school, apartments as well as the Swiss Embassy and an embassy residence. And everything is “Made in Switzerland” – designed by Swiss architects and designers, built by Swiss companies to Swiss quality and Minergie standards. The Swiss Village is supported at the highest political level in the UAE and Switzerland.
Being located in the Swiss Village offers Swiss companies several advantages: they gain an ideal business hub for opening up the UAE and other Gulf regions. At the same time, they benefit from a gain in reputation by participating in a pioneering project in the field of sustainability and they benefit from the know-how and from the publicity that will result from this leading location for Clean Tech & Services. The government of Abu Dhabi has also declared Masdar to be a “Free Zone”. This guarantees exemption from taxation as well as absolutely no restrictions on foreign ownership or on the repatriation of profits and capital.
The Swiss Village is being realised in the first construction phase of Masdar – the opening is scheduled for 2011. As it is to be built by Swiss companies, it represents a significant order volume for Swiss industry. Contracts will be awarded for procurement and realisation in the fields of preliminary building structures, building technology, installations, equipment, surrounding area as well as furnishings. In addition, there is significant potential for Swiss companies in the other construction zones in Masdar scheduled for implementation later on. And, last but not least, participation in Masdar – a showcase for the entire Gulf region - opens up opportunities for follow-uporders throughout the region. Swiss companies that lease surface areas in the “Swiss Village” are ideally positioned for the award of orders for product supplies and services.
|
