UAE a launchpad for manufacturers' global growth
SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)The UAE's manufacturing sector has grown by nearly 70 percent over the last four years, contributing Dh210 billion to its GDP in 2024, compared to Dh133 billion in 2021, a top official has said.
Speaking to Aletihad on the sidelines of Make It In the Emirates 2025, Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), said the momentum set since 2021 — with the launch of the UAE's Operational 300bn industrial advancement – is set to continue. 'When it comes to manufacturing value-add to the GDP, we've seen tremendous growth since the launch of our industrial strategy. We've gone from Dh133 billion annually to Dh210 billion: that's 68 percent growth. [We are seeing the growth of the] industry and its impact — not only impact directly on the manufacturers but also on the [entire] supply chain, and the ripple effect on the services that are associated,' Al Suwaidi said.
'From the trajectory we've seen in the first four years — with the interest and the commitment we're seeing from all of our partners, whether it's the producers, manufacturers, or procurers — we see that momentum continuing,' he added.
Make It In the EmiratesThe UAE launched the Operation 300bn strategy in 2021, with the aim of increasing its industrial sector's contribution to the GDP to Dh300 billion by 2031. The Make It In the Emirates (MIITE) effort was launched alongside that vision in a bid to connect investors, innovators, and manufacturers, encouraging them to bolster domestic production and opt for local procurement options.Organised by ADNEC Group and hosted by MoIAT, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and ADNOC, this year's MIITE is running at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi until May 22.Al Suwaidi said the 2025 edition of MIITE is the biggest yet, with over 58,000 visitors attending on the first two days.'We have grown since last year in terms of space, volume, and the number of companies participating. This year, we have more than 720 companies participating with their products, and we have about 3, 800 products on display throughout the event,' Al Suwaidi said.These products have been drawn from a wide variety of sectors, and provide a snapshot of the true breadth of industrial activity in the UAE — from local farming and agricultural products to aircraft engines, armoured vehicles, pharmaceutical items, and even satellites.
Supporting Manufacturer Growth'If you want to grow here and beyond, you need to come and set up in the UAE,' Al Suwaidi said, highlighting the competitive advantages on offer. In 2025, these include an expanded set of financing solutions worth Dh40 billion, following agreements between the MoIAT and five leading national banks designed to stimulate investments in industry and advanced technology, generate tailored financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and strengthen strategic public-private partnership.The MoIAT-led National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme, which redirects government procurement expenditure to local products and services, has also grown substantially.'We have had four major partners joining us: Modon, Emaar, Silal, and Calidus. These are significant, large entities in the UAE and they will definitely provide additional offtake and additional ICV scope for manufacturers and service providers in UAE,' Al Suwaidi said.In keeping with the Operation 300bn strategy, the UAE is continuing to strengthen manufacturing across 11 priority sectors, including established sectors like food, beverages and agritech to sectors reliant on next-generation technologies, such as hydrogen and space.Al Suwaidi emphasised the UAE's focus on supporting local industry.'The UAE offers clarity in terms of the priority [manufacturing] sectors. We also have alignment across all government entities, local or federal, and the supporting ecosystem — the infrastructure, the logistics, the financing, the land, and the specialised industrial zones.'Our [growing list of] Comprehensive Economic Agreements (CEPAs) provide [manufacturers with] additional market access to almost 3 billion [people globally]…There's also the very stable and very supportive legislative system that's pro-business growth, and [geared to enhance the] quality of life of the people living here.'All of these enablers — this whole ecosystem — is what enables manufacturers to grow.'
MIITE 2025 has seen a host of key announcements in its first two days, including agreements between UAE-based entities and global industrial leaders like Airbus and Schneider Electric.
Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
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