Recently, Geltec Group celebrated the opening of its new US$ 30 million manufacturing plant at National Industries Park (NIP). This plant will be used to manufacture dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations in soft-gelatine capsules and gelatine-enrobed tablet forms.
NIP is a part of DP World, UAE, falling under the global trade enabler’s Parks and Zones portfolio, which includes Jebel Ali Free Zone and Dubai Auto Zone. It covers an area of 21 square kilometres. While Geltec is an Indian company with a global presence, specialising in the manufacturing of softgel capsules and gelatine enrobed tablet products comprising of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.
Rewarding Relationship
Their association began in 2000, when Geltec first set up shop in the UAE at NIP’s sister concern, Jafza. This initial venture served as a marketing and distribution arm of the group that sought to expand Geltec products in the region.
“Through this entity, we managed to establish several mutually rewarding business relationships in this market,” said Vikram Tannan, Director, Geltec Group. “With the continuously emerging opportunities here, we were motivated to have a manufacturing base in the UAE, which is why we built the Geltec Healthcare FZE facility.”
Key Objectives
The new facility’s opening also serves to further the goals of the Dubai government. The pharmaceutical segment is one of the key objectives of 2030 Dubai Industrial Strategy, which was launched in June 2016 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The strategy will have a significant impact on Dubai’s economy by 2030, leading to an expected AED 160 billion increase forecast in Dubai’s total GDP, an AED 18 billion increase in GDP for the industrial sector, creating more than 27,000 jobs, and boosting research and development expenditures by about AED 700 million.
“We are a global trade enabler, and that means our goal is to provide support to our customers all across the supply chain,” said Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director of DP World, UAE Region. “Through this holistic solution, we are able to mitigate many issues that businesses face when entering the GCC market, such as high start-up costs or – in the case of manufacturing – availability or accessibility to raw materials.”
The strategy will have a significant impact on Dubai’s economy by 2030, leading to an expected AED 160 billion increase forecast in Dubai’s total GDP, an AED 18 billion increase in GDP for the industrial sector
