UAE: China to help convert desert into arable lands

China’s Chongqing Earthskin Eco-technology will turn vast areas of the desert in Abu Dhabi into agriculture farms with soilization techniques. 

Under an agreement signed with Abu Dhabi’s Mawarid Holding, the Chinese company will “select one or more sites from the existing desert lands to plant grass, trees or vegetables in the first year of cooperation,” Emirati state-run news agency WAM reports.  

“Today, at Mawarid Holding, we are proud to sign the agreement with Chongqing Earthskin, which will contribute to desert soilization using the latest technologies that have been tested in similar environments. This will benefit future generations and improve the quality of life depending on new and diverse sources and conserve water resources in UAE,” said Abdul Jalil Albluki, Chairman of Mawarid Holding Company.  

Desert areas to be transformed into arable land will be used for various agriculture industries.  

Mawarid Holding is committed to provide desert land and funds whereas Chongqing Earthskin should provide desert soilization technologies and specialists, WAM notes.  

Under the agreement, Chongqing Earthskin will also build an application research center of desert soilization technologies in Abu Dhabi to analyze the soilization process.

The agreement is part of inter-governmental economic cooperation between the two countries in line with China’s “Belt and Road” initiative.

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