‘Valor International FZC’, a Hamriyah Free Zone-based company specialising in trading and handling of downstream refined oil by-products, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) to expand its regional operations and increase its production capacity.

Initially ‘Valor International FZC’, invested more than Dhs100 million into the logistics and handling by acquiring a 115,000 CBM oil storage facility in Hamriyah Free Zone going by the trade name “Valor International Terminal FZE”.

The Facility is a liquid bulk storage facility providing full range of oil logistics operations.

Under the new MoU, “Valor International FZC” will invest another Dhs77 million to build a multifunctional Mini Refinery over an area of 193,750 sq. ft Leased from the free zone. The new facility will have an estimated production capacity of 10,000 barrels per day and be designed to refine multiple commodities such as Crude Oil, Fuel oil, Gasoil, Naphtha among others.

With the new expansion plans, the total value of Valor’s investments in the free zone will reach close to Dhs200 million. This comes in line with its strategic plans to expand its Regional and Global presence from its head quarters in Emirate of Sharjah.

The agreement was signed by Saud Salem Al Mazrouei, Director of the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, and Nimar Nikx , Managing Director of Valor International FZC, at HFZA headquarters in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

“Valor’s expansion plan is a significant step in the right direction. In addition to enhancing the growth of oil trade between manufacturers and users, the new facility will help the company better meet the increasing demand for energy and oil derivatives, in light of the rapid economic growth witnessed by the Emirate of Sharjah,” Al Mazrouei said.

“The petrochemical industry has become a major part of the free zone’s vital industrial sectors in the Hamriyah Free Zone, and with that in mind, we are making every possible effort to create a stimulating environment for companies operating in this sector and are therefore providing a package of integrated and sophisticated facilities and services to encourage companies to expand in regional and global markets starting from the Hamriyah Free Zone,” he added.

For his part, Nimar Nikx expressed his happiness with the new step taken by Valor, emphasizing that it was driven by the unique facilities and exceptional support provided by the free zone to all investors. “We had such a great experience with HFZA since our incorporation in 2019”, Nikx said.

“The new plant will be dedicated to refining many commodities such as fuel oil, gasoil, naphtha, and kerosene for local and global use. Our target market other than Local UAE markets includes India and Fareast and some African Nations.

We are currently exporting to over 10 countries around the world and we are growing daily. We have close to 40 People working at our Terminal and we estimate that within 1 year we shall have another 30 to 40 employees for the Plant and around 10 more to our Administration and Trading Teams,” Nikx added.

2021 was a very successful year for the Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (HFZA) in Sharjah, where it has continued to consolidate its position as a favoured investment destination for various types of businesses, besides its role in supporting the economic growth in the Emirate of Sharjah.

During the last year, the Authority has attracted 9 international companies from the USA, African countries, India, and others.

These investments are spreading out over an area of 850,000 sq ft ranging from warehouses and plots of land, with a total investment value of about Dhs271 million. “Such figures clearly reflect the outstanding facilities, incentives, and advantages provided by HFZA to further strengthen its attraction to investors,” the Authority recently.

Last January, HFZA has inked an investment deal with two giant African petrochemicals companies (Global Vision Specialty Chemicals & Proud Lubricants and Grease IND). The first company is specialised in Blending, Packaging & Drumming of Drilling Upstream & Downstream Petrochemicals and Chemical Additives, while the activity of latter is the manufacturing of Lubricants, Grease, Plastic Products & Tins.

The two companies have leased over 1,076,391 sq. ft. plots of land to establish world-class petrochemicals factories and warehouses for export to local, regional, and global markets.

In February 2021, Medtra, one of the world’s major companies in the production and manufacturing of healthcare equipment and products, has inaugurated its new headquarters in the Hamriyah Free Zone in order to expand its activities in MENA markets.