Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, inaugurated a Dh50 million industrial complex and warehouse unit at Technopark in Jebel Ali on Thursday.

She was accompanied by Rizwan Sajan, Founder and Chairman of Danube Group and other officials.

The industrial complex has an investment of Dh50 million that will help create at least 100 direct jobs and support hundreds in indirect employment.

The industrial unit will help reduce UAE construction industry's dependence on imported finished products as these will be custom-manufactured in the complex.

The industrial complex in UAE is spread across a total area of 450,000 square metres.

The industrial complex facility has four value addition units measuring 150,000 square meters. This comprises of Melamine Pressing Unit, Steel Cut and Bend Unit, Decor Unit (Veneer Pressing Unit), Development Unit, Ceiling Tiles Manufacturing Unit, and Distribution Unit in addition to a Warehouse Unit measuring 300,000 square meters.

"Since establishing its presence here in Dubai nearly 20 years ago, Danube has grown into one of the largest building materials companies in the region. By positioning its manufacturing and logistics activities at the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Danube will be able to tap the strategic location, business amenities and resources of this industrial community," said Sheikha Lubna.

The inauguration takes place at a time, when the UAE's real estate and construction sectors have begun to bounce back.

In the GCC region, $489.39 billion (Dh1.79 trillion) worth of projects are currently under construction while $81.45 billion (Dh299.1 billion) worth of projects are in the tendering phase, according to a latest report by online project tracker BNC Networks.

$125.12 billion (Dh459.58 billion) worth of projects are in design phase while $265.25 billion (Dh974.29 billion) worth of projects are in the initial planning and concept phase, the report said.