US-based Magna Park starting to take shape

Monday, Sep 06, 2010

Gulf News

Construction of first building underway

Dubai Economic Zones World announced the construction of the first building in Jafza Magna Park, its US-based, 1,324 acre logistics and distribution hub located in Santee, South Carolina.

The 20,000 square feet training centre and office will be a multi-use facility that will consist of shared office facilities, training laboratories and general warehouse space known as Leased Industrial Units.

Economic Zones World acquired over 1,300 acres just outside of the town limits of Santee in Orangeburg County in the fall of 2007.

Since then Jafza has pursued and received all the necessary regulatory requirements to begin development, including site certification from the South Carolina Department of Commerce.

The initial land development will be done in three immediate phases which include the construction of the mixed-use training facility and the development of 42 and 76 acres of plots respectively. The project is expected to attract about $1.2 billion (Dh4.4 billion) in private investment and generate an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 jobs over a decade.

“This building is a significant milestone for us at EZW, especially for the Jafza team on the ground in the United States. We are excited about the project and have spent time laying the ground work for it. This first step towards the realization of all the hard work is very rewarding,” said Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, chief executive officer of Economic Zones World.

“It is, above all, an encouraging sign of the global economic recovery and we hope it’s a stepping stone to many more great things to come at Santee,” he added.

County Council chairman Johnnie Wright said the facility will be a major asset to the region as well as the development of the Industrial Park.

“This is further confirmation of Jafza’s commitment to South Carolina and Orangeburg County. It is indeed a Great Day in Orangeburg County,” Wright said.

In addition to the US Industrial park project, Economic Zones World is currently engaged in numerous development projects across Asia (India, Malaysia and China); Africa (Djibouti); the Middle East (the UAE) and Europe (Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain and France).

This building is a significant milestone for us at EZW, especially for the Jafza team on the ground in the United States. We are excited about the project...”

Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb

CEO, Economic Zones World

Staff Report