UAE sets the stage for industrial self-sufficiency

Khaleej Times

20-05-2025

As global supply chains face unprecedented shifts and trade dynamics grow more complex, the UAE is stepping forward with a clear vision: to reshape its industrial future from within. At the heart of this transformation is the Make it in the Emirates initiative, led by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT). More than just a campaign, it's a strategic movement aimed at localising production, strengthening economic resilience, and positioning the UAE as the industrial gateway to the wider Middle East.
The event runs until May 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), where the fourth edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum is going to unfold under the theme 'Advanced Industries Accelerated'.
Bringing together over 1,300 delegates, including top government officials, global investors, and industry innovators, the forum is set to spotlight opportunities across 12 priority sectors, driving new partnerships and unlocking long-term industrial growth.
One of the most significant announcements in the lead-up to this year's forum is the UAE's ambitious plan to locally manufacture 2,000 essential products that are currently imported. Announced by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, this move aims to achieve strategic self-sufficiency while supporting high-demand industries such as healthcare, food production, energy, space technology, and construction materials.
'By identifying these 2,000 essential imported products, we are creating a roadmap for businesses and investors to tap into priority sectors with strong domestic demand,' Al Jaber stated during a recent press conference. 'This is not just a call for investment - it's a call to innovate, collaborate and build a future-ready industrial base for the UAE.'
The updated focus goes well beyond traditional sectors. While metals, petrochemicals, and machinery remain vital, the forum will also spotlight fast-growing industries including electrical equipment, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and advanced technologies. The UAE-based manufacturers are encouraged to seize these opportunities, with support from national procurement strategies and long-term government partnerships.
Economic resilience through local production
The shift towards self-reliant manufacturing is more than just a response to global supply chain volatility - it is a strategic economic pivot. In 2024, the UAE recorded a foreign trade volume exceeding Dh5 trillion, with a trade surplus of over Dh490 billion. However, as global geopolitical shifts, protectionist policies, and trade tariffs create uncertainty, the UAE is doubling down on domestic capabilities to ensure uninterrupted access to critical goods and materials.
Al Jaber highlighted how the UAE is leveraging its geographic advantages, strong logistics infrastructure, and regulatory transparency to build bridges with global manufacturers and partners. 'We are distinguished by our adaptability,' he noted. 'The UAE is not just keeping pace with global trends - it is helping to define them.'
The Make it in the Emirates platform is as much about enabling business as it is about building factories. Investors attending the forum are introduced to a suite of competitive incentives — from advanced technology and equipment financing via Emirates Development Bank (EDB), to long-term golden residency visas, and full foreign ownership options across most sectors. The government also offers robust support through export credit insurance, favourable land lease terms, and streamlined licensing procedures. This business-friendly environment is backed by access to global markets through an extensive network of trade agreements, allowing manufacturers to re-export with ease.
Furthermore, the forum provides exceptional visibility into national procurement needs. By aligning industrial priorities with purchasing plans of the UAE's largest companies, the initiative offers unmatched clarity and confidence to investors planning long-term operations.
From platform to national programme
What began as an industrial forum has now evolved into a comprehensive economic programme. The Make it in the Emirates platform has grown to reflect the UAE's overarching industrial strategy: to diversify the economy, increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP, and create a sustainable base of high-value jobs. In fact, 12 of the UAE's largest companies have already identified more than 300 products across 11 sectors for local production. With a combined purchase value of Dh110 billion, these agreements are expected to add Dh6 billion annually to the GDP.
This year's edition will go further, with a focus on product localisation and showcasing over 5,000 goods now made in the UAE. From textiles and crafts to space tech and AI-driven manufacturing, the forum highlights the country's industrial evolution and its readiness to lead in the fourth industrial revolution.
A shared vision
As Al Jaber puts it, Make it in the Emirates is 'more than just an event — it's a movement.' It brings together manufacturers, government agencies, financiers, entrepreneurs, and technology leaders with a shared goal: building an inclusive and sustainable industrial future.
The forum's theme, Invest, Partner, Grow, reflects a broader national ambition — one rooted in economic diversification, regional cooperation, and global competitiveness. It is a signal to the world that the UAE is not just open for business, it is actively shaping the business of tomorrow. With the tools, infrastructure, leadership, and vision in place, the UAE's call to 'make it' is now louder and more compelling than ever. And for those looking to be part of the Middle East's industrial revolution, there may be no better time or place to start.