Partnership for Compiling Official Statistics About Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Abstract

To reduce the dependence on oil resources and implement economic reform, the Government of Abu Dhabi implemented a wide range of plans, including initiatives to encourage and facilitate foreign investment into the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Many initiatives were implemented to accomplish these objectives, including establishing Free Zones (FZ), which offers businesses some flexibility regarding ownership rights while they are exempt from taxes on inputs and outputs of their production activities. The success of FZ in attracting businesses to implement new technologies and create job opportunities in the local economy is an important element in efforts to create new industrial infrastructure and employment opportunities in the Emirate.  Measuring the success of FZ in attracting foreign investments that contribute to the economic diversification efforts, requires accurate statistical information about all business operations in these areas.   To support government decision makers in their effort to measure the contribution and success of FZ in the economy, Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD) started conducting surveys of all businesses in the Emirate’s FZ.  The Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp) requested SCAD to conduct a comprehensive statistical survey of its foreign investment establishments. The survey project was initiated and completed within 18 months while financial and logistical data were collected from all economic establishments under their management. This paper will discuss aspects of cooperation between ZonesCorp and SCAD while producing new statistical outputs. Keywords: Statistical Centre of Abu Dhabi (SCAD); Free Zones (FZ); Higher Corporation for Specialized Economic Zones (ZonesCorp); New Statistical Outputs; Logistical Data DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-18-10 Publication date:September 30th 201