UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Shahin, a new company in the process of setting up in Abu Dhabi by NEV Enterprise, in a move towards sustainable industrial development and promoting electric mobility.
The LoI, signed at the Make it in the Emirates Forum, underlines the country’s commitment to decarbonization and increasing the contribution of the industrial sector to climate action and economic growth.
The agreement represents a strategic partnership focused on the development, maintenance, and operation of a charging station factory in the UAE, the first-of-it-kind in the region, catering to the growing demand locally and regionally for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure through pre-negotiated offtake contracts.
Under the LoI, Shahin will also focus on research and development in partnership with local higher education institutions, which will contribute product and software localization and create opportunities for young Emirati talent through apprenticeships and job opportunities, ensuring 20 percent Emiratization within Shahin across UAE operations.
Mr. Tariq Al Hashimi, Director of Technology Adoption and Development, said that this collaboration aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and the 2023 Year of Sustainability.
Mr. Al Hashimi noted that, “By actively contributing to the development of a robust EV ecosystem, this partnership will have a meaningful impact on our sustainability and decarbonization agenda, while at the same time supporting local and advanced technology-driven economic growth.”
Further, the LoI marks a major step towards the future of the UAE’s sustainable transport infrastructure in line with the country’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative with Shahin aiming to meet 40 percent of the UAE’s Direct Current (DC) charging demand by 2030.
Mr. Ramzi Kuhail, Chief Executive of NEV Enterprise, commented that, “This reflects our shared commitment to sustainable mobility and positions the UAE as a key player in the global transition to electric transportation. We look forward to engaging with both the Government and Private sectors to support this initiative, which will act as a great catalyst for our future expansion to produce world-class charging stations locally and regionally.”
