The food manufacturing group 'Solico' in the Middle East region has announced the launch of its new industrial facility 'Sovod', with an investment of up to 130 million dirhams, in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). The initial production capacity of the new facility is 40 tons per day, which will contribute to enhancing the flexibility of the food manufacturing sector in the UAE. The 'Sovod' facility spans an area of 5,000 square meters and is characterized by a flexible design that allows for rapid expansion into new food categories with high efficiency, while minimizing operational downtime. This investment represents a strategic pillar for strengthening the UAE's food security system, by bringing about a qualitative transformation in supply chains from traditional commercial models to an added-value manufacturing infrastructure. Thanks to its scalable vision, the project has promising potential to increase its total investment value by about two to three times its initial level, in line with the pace of operational expansion. The first phase of the project will focus on meat and protein production, while the facility will expand in subsequent phases to include additional categories, including cheese and dairy products production, ready mixes, sauces, as well as co-packing solutions tailored for hotels, airlines, and the food service sector. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Board and CEO of DP World, said: 'JAFZA continues to attract manufacturing companies looking to expand regionally and export to the world, and Solico Group's decision to pump its largest investments into the UAE in JAFZA reflects the strength of Dubai's industrial ecosystem.' He added: 'We look forward to seeing this project as a contributor to enhancing food security, creating quality job opportunities, and supporting the UAE's ambition to build a competitive, value-added manufacturing sector.' In turn, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Solico Group, Gholam Ali Soleimani, said: 'The UAE has succeeded in building one of the world's most dynamic systems in food manufacturing and economic diversification, and this investment allows us to deepen our regional presence, transfer our expertise to the UAE, and build manufacturing capabilities that will support food security for years to come.'
