Gulf Contracting & Landscaping (GCL), an Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) company, has unveiled one of the UAE’s largest horticulture nurseries in a move to further optimise local natural resources while serving its customers across the UAE and the GCC region. The expanded nursery is located in Al Rahba, Abu Dhabi, covering 1.25 million sq ft and holding more than a million plants that thrive in the local climate.

In addition, GCL is enlarging its nurseries across the UAE and GCC, and is planning to build a new facility – set for completion in 2025 – that will span more than 1.5 million sq ft.

The move is in line with the UAE’s focus on its outdoor spaces and green developments, embodied in recent plans such as the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which includes developing over 200 parks in the emirate alone, and the Abu Dhabi 2030 Urban Structure Framework Plan, which aims to improve the liveability of the capital’s residents.

“At GCL, we are committed to playing an integral role in making the UAE greener in line with the leadership’s vision for enhancing the quality of life,” says Rami Hamad, CEO of GCL. “Moreover, we see great potential to provide local, sustainable solutions for such projects, using the latest engineering technologies to maximise efficiencies and preserve natural ecosystems.”

Since its establishment in 2007, GCL has undergone remarkable growth, having steadily acquired adjacent nurseries in Abu Dhabi as well as developing sites in other emirates.  Today, its nurseries are home to more than 300 varieties of plants, shrubs, trees, and ground cover for use in GCL’s landscaping projects as well as for external developments. These varieties of plant life are already being seeded in public parks, communities, and private spaces, using advanced agritech to support the UAE’s greening plans.

GCL provides end-to-end expertise in site preparation, landscaping, infrastructure, civil works, aquatic works, design and fit-out, allowing the company to create everything from manicured greens to strikingly designed public and private spaces. Its design and turnkey implementation capabilities span parks, streetscapes, public realms, residential community areas, as well as golf courses, sports fields, and cycling and jogging tracks.

Founded in 1982 in Dubai, Al Khayyat Investments (AKI) is an Emirati family-owned conglomerate regarded as a pioneer in several industries in the Middle East, operating across multiple sectors, spanning pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, retail, food and non-food consumer goods, fitness, automotive, environmental services, and contracting.