Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Chamber Align Efforts to Enhance Data Collaboration in Construction Sector
23 Jun 2025
The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), hosted a workshop on Public-Private Data Collaboration and the Construction Cost Index (CCI).
The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), hosted a workshop on Public-Private Data Collaboration and the Construction Cost Index (CCI).
As part of the Data for Good Initiative, the workshop convened key stakeholders from the construction, real estate, and consulting sectors to discuss how data collaboration can enhance the quality and accuracy of economic indicators, providing businesses with reliable insights for strategic planning and investment.
During the event, representatives from leading engineering and consulting firms, real estate developers, and industry working groups engaged in discussions that reflect the breadth and depth of Abu Dhabi’s evolving construction ecosystem.
The Role of CCI in Abu Dhabi’s Business Landscape
The Construction Cost Index (CCI) is a key economic indicator that supports financial planning, cost forecasting, and risk mitigation across Abu Dhabi’s construction sector. By tracking fluctuations in construction material costs, labour, and associated expenses, the CCI provides businesses, developers, and policymakers with critical insights to make informed decisions and optimize cost efficiency in large-scale projects.
Leadership Insights on Public-Private Data Collaboration
H.E. Abdulla Alqemzi, Director General of SCAD, emphasised the importance of data collaboration in fostering transparency and supporting Abu Dhabi’s economic growth: “The Construction Cost Index is an essential tool for ensuring cost predictability and market efficiency. Through business-to-government data collaboration, we have created a robust framework for businesses to contribute to the accuracy of economic data while benefiting from high-quality insights for strategic planning.”
“Through business-to-government data collaboration, a robust framework is created to ensure businesses are benefiting from high-quality insights for strategic planning. The construction sector remains a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s economic growth, having achieved a record high value added of AED 107.4 billion in 2024, contributing 9.1% to the Emirate’s total GDP with an impressive growth rate of 11.3%. This strong performance reflects continued investment in urban infrastructure projects, which in turn supports job creation and sustained momentum across the sector.”
“These figures highlight the strategic importance of accurate cost data to support sustainable growth in these vital industries. The private sector is a key partner in this effort, and we remain committed to working together to build a comprehensive, data-driven economy for Abu Dhabi.”
In this context, H.E. Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s economic landscape. He said: “Effective collaboration between the public and private sectors is fundamental to fostering a transparent and well-informed business environment.
“The Construction Cost Index is a key economic indicator that plays a vital role in cost forecasting, investment planning, and market stability. By working together under the Data for Good Initiative, we are ensuring that businesses have access to high-quality economic insights while contributing valuable industry data. This exchange of information enhances decision-making processes and supports sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi’s construction and real estate sectors.”
Industry Experts’ Perspectives
The workshop featured presentations and discussions on the enhancement of the statistical insight dashboards, the role of data in economic forecasting, and opportunities for businesses to engage with SCAD’s statistical programs. Industry leaders emphasised the importance of leveraging accurate data to drive efficiency, investment, and growth within Abu Dhabi’s construction sector.
Andrew Thrower, Executive Director - Commercial & Contracts, Lead Development, said: “The CCI workshop is a great initiative to engage with the construction industry and obtain qualitative data upon which to both benchmark databases and establish solid industry standards. These efforts will result in a well-defined index that helps developers, contractors, and policymakers make informed decisions, improving cost estimates as part of the development process.”
On the same topic, Nizam Abdul Baki, the General Manager of Sultaco General Trading said: “The CCI workshop provided a valuable platform for industry leaders to come together and refine a crucial economic indicator. The collaborative effort was instrumental in enhancing the transparency and accuracy of the CCI, which will play a key role in improving cost tracking, supporting more effective planning, and enabling smarter decision-making throughout the sector. It was a great opportunity for forward-thinking professionals to align on best practices and drive meaningful progress.”
Hamad Ahmed Al Ali, Founder of Build Hub Building Materials LLC, said "The CCI workshop was a great opportunity for industry leaders to collaborate on refining a key economic indicator. A transparent and accurate CCI will improve cost tracking, support better planning, and drive smarter decision-making across the sector."
Advancing Abu Dhabi’s Data-Driven Economy
SCAD’s Data for Good Initiative, launched in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Chamber, is designed to bridge the gap between public and private sectors in a systematic, sustainable, and responsible manner. By ensuring that real-time private sector insights contribute to more accurate economic policymaking and investment strategies, the initiative provides businesses with a structured framework for secure data collaboration.
As part of this initiative, SCAD and ADCCI will continue to engage businesses in structured data-sharing agreements that protect confidentiality while enhancing the quality of economic statistics. With over 70 organisations already onboard, the initiative serves as a secure and structured platform for businesses to access exclusive economic insights while contributing valuable industry data.
Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Chamber Align Efforts to Enhance Data Collaboration in Construction Sector
23 Jun 2025
The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), hosted a workshop on Public-Private Data Collaboration and the Construction Cost Index (CCI).
The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI), hosted a workshop on Public-Private Data Collaboration and the Construction Cost Index (CCI).
As part of the Data for Good Initiative, the workshop convened key stakeholders from the construction, real estate, and consulting sectors to discuss how data collaboration can enhance the quality and accuracy of economic indicators, providing businesses with reliable insights for strategic planning and investment.
During the event, representatives from leading engineering and consulting firms, real estate developers, and industry working groups engaged in discussions that reflect the breadth and depth of Abu Dhabi’s evolving construction ecosystem.
The Role of CCI in Abu Dhabi’s Business Landscape
The Construction Cost Index (CCI) is a key economic indicator that supports financial planning, cost forecasting, and risk mitigation across Abu Dhabi’s construction sector. By tracking fluctuations in construction material costs, labour, and associated expenses, the CCI provides businesses, developers, and policymakers with critical insights to make informed decisions and optimize cost efficiency in large-scale projects.
Leadership Insights on Public-Private Data Collaboration
H.E. Abdulla Alqemzi, Director General of SCAD, emphasised the importance of data collaboration in fostering transparency and supporting Abu Dhabi’s economic growth: “The Construction Cost Index is an essential tool for ensuring cost predictability and market efficiency. Through business-to-government data collaboration, we have created a robust framework for businesses to contribute to the accuracy of economic data while benefiting from high-quality insights for strategic planning.”
“Through business-to-government data collaboration, a robust framework is created to ensure businesses are benefiting from high-quality insights for strategic planning. The construction sector remains a cornerstone of Abu Dhabi’s economic growth, having achieved a record high value added of AED 107.4 billion in 2024, contributing 9.1% to the Emirate’s total GDP with an impressive growth rate of 11.3%. This strong performance reflects continued investment in urban infrastructure projects, which in turn supports job creation and sustained momentum across the sector.”
“These figures highlight the strategic importance of accurate cost data to support sustainable growth in these vital industries. The private sector is a key partner in this effort, and we remain committed to working together to build a comprehensive, data-driven economy for Abu Dhabi.”
In this context, H.E. Shamis Ali Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Second Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the private and public sectors in strengthening Abu Dhabi’s economic landscape. He said: “Effective collaboration between the public and private sectors is fundamental to fostering a transparent and well-informed business environment.
“The Construction Cost Index is a key economic indicator that plays a vital role in cost forecasting, investment planning, and market stability. By working together under the Data for Good Initiative, we are ensuring that businesses have access to high-quality economic insights while contributing valuable industry data. This exchange of information enhances decision-making processes and supports sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi’s construction and real estate sectors.”
Industry Experts’ Perspectives
The workshop featured presentations and discussions on the enhancement of the statistical insight dashboards, the role of data in economic forecasting, and opportunities for businesses to engage with SCAD’s statistical programs. Industry leaders emphasised the importance of leveraging accurate data to drive efficiency, investment, and growth within Abu Dhabi’s construction sector.
Andrew Thrower, Executive Director - Commercial & Contracts, Lead Development, said: “The CCI workshop is a great initiative to engage with the construction industry and obtain qualitative data upon which to both benchmark databases and establish solid industry standards. These efforts will result in a well-defined index that helps developers, contractors, and policymakers make informed decisions, improving cost estimates as part of the development process.”
On the same topic, Nizam Abdul Baki, the General Manager of Sultaco General Trading said: “The CCI workshop provided a valuable platform for industry leaders to come together and refine a crucial economic indicator. The collaborative effort was instrumental in enhancing the transparency and accuracy of the CCI, which will play a key role in improving cost tracking, supporting more effective planning, and enabling smarter decision-making throughout the sector. It was a great opportunity for forward-thinking professionals to align on best practices and drive meaningful progress.”
Hamad Ahmed Al Ali, Founder of Build Hub Building Materials LLC, said "The CCI workshop was a great opportunity for industry leaders to collaborate on refining a key economic indicator. A transparent and accurate CCI will improve cost tracking, support better planning, and drive smarter decision-making across the sector."
Advancing Abu Dhabi’s Data-Driven Economy
SCAD’s Data for Good Initiative, launched in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Chamber, is designed to bridge the gap between public and private sectors in a systematic, sustainable, and responsible manner. By ensuring that real-time private sector insights contribute to more accurate economic policymaking and investment strategies, the initiative provides businesses with a structured framework for secure data collaboration.
As part of this initiative, SCAD and ADCCI will continue to engage businesses in structured data-sharing agreements that protect confidentiality while enhancing the quality of economic statistics. With over 70 organisations already onboard, the initiative serves as a secure and structured platform for businesses to access exclusive economic insights while contributing valuable industry data.
