Al Gharbia

Accounting for the majority of the emirate’s oil and gas reserves, Al Gharbia generates more than 44% of Abu Dhabi’s GDP, with economic output exceeding $31bn per year. In the coming years, it is set for substantial investment as the government looks to rejuvenate the region and ensure that local talent is retained and plays an integral role in development. As such, over the next two decades, a host of opportunities are expected to materialise for savvy investors, and the Western Region Development Council is on the lookout to attract the best of these to the region. Some $65bn in investment projects are anticipated for the coming years, covering oil and gas, power generation, infrastructure and transport, and tourism. This chapter contains an interview with Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region.