Make it in the Emirates: The UAE's bold blueprint for industrial reinvention
As the UAE accelerates its transition toward a knowledge- and innovation-driven economy, a defining initiative is reshaping its industrial landscape — Make it in the Emirates. Launched in 2021 under the umbrella of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology's (MoIAT) Operation 300bn strategy, this initiative aims to amplify the manufacturing sector's contribution to the national GDP from Dh133 billion to Dh300 billion by 2031. Through innovation, foreign investment, and local production, the UAE is charting a bold course toward becoming a global hub for advanced industries.
Held under the patronage of MoIAT in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and Adnoc, the Make it in the Emirates Forum has become a key platform aligning national ambition with international opportunity. The 2025 edition — hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) from May 19 to 22 — marked a significant evolution. What began at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre has now expanded across 50,000 sqm, drawing over 20,000 visitors — up from 13,000 across its first three editions — alongside 1,300 delegates, 150 local artisans, and 20 high-profile speakers from sectors including energy, telecom, healthcare, defense, and AI.
Scaling with the Nation's Ambitions
The UAE presents a compelling case for industrial investment: a stable regulatory framework, 100% foreign ownership across most sectors, long-term residency for investors, and globally ranked infrastructure — including top-tier logistics and ICT systems. Coupled with its geographic advantage connecting East and West, the country offers an unmatched value proposition.
Acknowledging global shifts in trade, energy, and supply chains, the UAE is strategically repositioning itself to attract industrial capital aligned with national priorities. According to Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, the initiative is 'more than a forum — it's a comprehensive economic programme to build a resilient, inclusive, and innovative industrial base.'
'This is not just a platform,' Al Jaber stated. 'It is a catalyst for sustainable economic development. It allows us to spotlight local manufacturers, promote national products, and cultivate an ecosystem of innovation and investment.'
The 2025 forum saw record-breaking momentum: Dh20 billion in procurement announcements were made during the event, bringing the cumulative value to Dh165 billion, a notable increase from Dh120 billion in 2024. Over 2,000 industrial products were earmarked for local manufacturing — from advanced pharmaceuticals to precision aerospace components — reflecting the UAE's pivot from consumer economy to industrial powerhouse.
A Strategic Framework for Diversified Growth
At the heart of Make it in the Emirates lies a transformative blueprint:
Economic Diversification: Reducing reliance on oil by channeling investment into non-oil sectors such as advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, agri-tech, and healthcare.
Technology and Innovation: Embracing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies — including AI, robotics, and additive manufacturing — to enhance competitiveness.
SME Empowerment: With SMEs forming 95% of the UAE's industrial base, the initiative integrates them into global value chains while providing access to training, finance, and incentives.
In-Country Value (ICV): The National ICV Programme has redirected more than Dh73 billion into the local economy and created over 19,000 jobs as of Q3 2024.
Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency: Emphasising green manufacturing and local production of critical goods to support climate goals and boost resilience.
The strategy is delivering tangible results. In 2024, the industrial sector contributed Dh210 billion to GDP and recorded Dh197 billion in exports —progress that underscores momentum toward the 2031 goal.
Forging a Future-Ready Industrial Ecosystem
The forum's 2025 edition reaffirmed the UAE's aspiration to become a global leader in smart and sustainable manufacturing. Plans were unveiled to localize the production of 2,000 in-demand products across sectors like pharmaceuticals, aerospace, electronics, agri-tech, and food and beverage —efforts designed to reinforce supply chain security and enhance self-sufficiency.
Moreover, the forum has attracted over Dh143 billion in off-take agreements since its launch — offering manufacturers guaranteed demand and long-term revenue pipelines. Key participants this year included Adnoc, EGA, Edge, etisalat, PureHealth, Strata, and Mubadala, with strategic guidance from ADDED and Adnoc ensuring alignment with economic and energy objectives.
Foreign investor interest continues to rise, supported by the UAE's investor-friendly policies, advanced infrastructure, and regulatory efficiency.
Empowering Emiratis and Elevating Women in Industry
Over 22,000 jobs for Emiratis have been created through the initiative, including 2,500 under the Industrialists Programme, which links academia with industry and equips young nationals with future-focused skills in manufacturing.
Women, too, are reshaping industrial leadership. From Dr Alyazia Al Kuwaiti at Mubadala championing gender inclusion in heavy industry to Mariam Al Jaberi at Strata Manufacturing producing aircraft components for Boeing and Airbus, Emirati women are breaking barriers and building legacies.
Aligned with Global Trends and Climate Goals
The UAE's strategy mirrors global imperatives: digital transformation, sustainable growth, and economic resilience. The focus on green manufacturing and renewable-powered industrial zones contributes to both national and global climate objectives, including the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy.
Initiatives like the Emirates Development Bank's Dh30 billion financing package — supporting 13,500 companies across key sectors like renewables, advanced tech, and healthcare — highlight the nation's long-term commitment to industrial growth.
AI, Automation, and the Rise of Future Industries
This year's forum spotlighted transformative technologies. UAE-based AM Industries introduced AI-powered defense and civil solutions, while Maxbyte Technologies launched its 3D AI Project — blending robotics with machine learning.
Digital transformation is further accelerated by the Technology Transformation Programme (TTP), which helps businesses implement AI, IoT, and cloud computing for enhanced productivity and reduced operational costs — key to achieving global competitiveness.
SMEs, Startups, and Real-World Impact
Nearly 68% of forum funding has gone to startups and SMEs, nurturing local innovation. Trux, a logistics and recovery app that featured at the 2025 edition, has served over 1,200 clients, recorded 8,000 downloads, and onboarded 1,000 drivers — expecting a 200% revenue increase post-forum.
Even fashion is embracing industrial reinvention. The UAE-based Carter & White reports that 60% of its Italian customers now request apparel labeled Made in the UAE—a testament to the growing global prestige of Emirati products.
Sustainability as a Growth Engine
Sustainability isn't just a principle — it's a performance metric. The UAE is investing significantly in
green manufacturing, electrification, and clean energy-driven industrial zones. As MoIAT Undersecretary Omar Al Suwaidi noted: 'With over 2,000 identified products and a procurement value of Dh143 billion, we're building a competitive, diversified industrial base that empowers citizens and secures our future.'
Make it in the Emirates has evolved into a beacon of cultural and economic diplomacy. More than 5,000 UAE-made products, from advanced tech to traditional crafts, were showcased in 2025. Policies supporting full foreign ownership further reflect the country's commitment to international partnerships.
As Omar Al Suwaidi emphasised: 'The forum has proven its industrial influence, generating billions in procurement opportunities. We are constantly on the rise.' That rise is now evident on the global stage. Ahmed Al Serkal of Carter & White shared that a growing number of European customers are actively seeking UAE-made products — marking a milestone in industrial brand building.
The Road to 2031
Despite remarkable progress, challenges remain — chief among them is cultivating a workforce ready for rapid technological change, sustaining innovation, and balancing growth with environmental stewardship. However, with its strategic clarity, robust investment plans, and future-focused policies, the UAE is well-equipped to turn these challenges into opportunities. As global manufacturing paradigms shift toward regionalised production and supply chain resilience, the Emirates stands poised to become a preferred industrial hub.
Make it in the Emirates is no longer just a slogan — it's a national movement redefining economic identity. With Dh165 billion in procurement, 22,000+ jobs created, and surging international interest, the future of global manufacturing may very well be spelled in bold letters: Made in the Emirates.
Strategic Outcomes of the Initiative
> Major shift towards AI, robotics, and smart industry
> 68% of funding directed to SMEs and startups
> Empowering women: From factory floors to boardrooms
> University partnerships fuelling a high-skill talent pipeline
> Success stories like Trux growing 200% post-forum
The UAE is transforming from consumer to global producer — with a tech-driven, sustainable industrial future.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
20 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Ethara's Danny Klima on project management and its role in global sporting events
Image: Gareth Harford / Motorsport Images Photographer) courtesy E1/ For illustrative purposes In the high-stakes world of international events, delivering flawless execution while juggling complex logistics, tight timelines, and diverse stakeholders is no small feat. Danny Klima, venue portfolio director at Ethara, shares how project management principles are at the heart of the success of iconic events like the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year. With over two decades of global experience and 18 years in the UAE, Klima reflects on how certifications from the Project Management Institute ( Danny Klima/ Image: Supplied How has your project management training supported the successful delivery of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix? Live events have their own set of inherent uncertainties and risks involved with anything from weather conditions, logistical issues and last-minute changes impacting deliverables.. We need to be agile and quick to adapt and turn things around whatever the disruptions as the event has to go live. My Project Management Professional (PMP) and Program Management Professional (PgMP) certifications gave me the tools to lead cross-functional teams with a leadership style that balances decisiveness and collaboration. These qualifications also helped me foster synergy across technical teams and international stakeholders while embedding a culture of accountability. In the end, the outcome is the most crucial part of it all, and if we are able to navigate the challenges and have a process-driven approach while remaining quick on our feet to counter unexpected challenges on the way, we have a win-win situation in hand. Sustainability is another key focus. I used my training to embed sustainability within every phase of the project — from work breakdown structures and programme architecture to delivery and post-event evaluation. This structured approach helped us integrate innovations like renewable energy and waste-reduction strategies into the planning and execution process. What are some of the key sustainability initiatives at the Grand Prix? Sustainability is a fundamental part of our event blueprint. The Grand Prix operations teams are quite process-driven to ensure efficiency and they are already dialed into sustainability. Our sustainability initiatives, be it around advanced technology to reduce our energy consumption — all of our track lights are LED so it reduced our electricity demands — or our renewable project, where we commissioned a one-megawatt solar car park, are really a fundamental part of the business. F1 has a sustainability steering committee that ensures sustainability is embedded into department objectives. For a massive event like this where we have 70,000 spectators coming to an event for a 10-hour day, the impact can be huge. We focus on plastic and waste, wellbeing, energy use, fan travel, how fans get to the venue, how the event impacts the local community, and, of course, carbon. And we think about air quality. We think about noise. We think about groundwater pollution. We initiated a shift to e-tickets as part of our waste management agenda a few years ago. We didn't have to produce the plastic cards, or the lanyards. We didn't need planes and trains and buses to ship the tickets all around the world. So we eliminated all of that waste and logistics from the event, which we're really proud of. We're an old venue. Yas Marina Circuit has been operating since 2009, so we have a lot of old technology. Converting everything to LED lighting has definitely helped. Even simple solutions like having water diffusers on the bottom of taps has helped to reduce wastage especially when we have 70,000 people using the venue. We work with suppliers with sustainability strategies, who have frameworks and net-zero ambitions, and help us deliver our objectives as well. As for how we measure the success of our sustainability drive, we have a robust customer feedback survey which enables us to work around our limitations and scale up our success. We also ensure we are up to date with our certifications which showcases our adherence to sustainable measures. We also get scored by Formula 1 for our sustainability plan around plastic and waste, well-being and nature, energy, fan travel, local community and carbon. Formula 1 sets some stringent guidelines and their feedback mechanism through scoring and awards enable us to ensure we are on the right path. Looking back at the 2024 Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — what was a key learning from this edition? The 2024 edition marked the culmination of a high-stakes season, and delivering such a multifaceted event reinforced the importance of stakeholder alignment and agile planning. Whether coordinating race-day operations or managing back-to-back headline concerts, the key learning was the need for real-time responsiveness grounded in a robust project framework. These insights will help us elevate future editions even further. How has technology — especially AI and data analytics — changed how you plan and execute events? Adaptability is key to success in this field. Data analytics has helped us optimise resource allocation, forecast demand, and reduce waste. For Formula 1, we often need to know attendee needs before they do — and AI is helping us do just that. Emerging tools are improving our ability to anticipate issues and personalise experiences, and I'm excited about the continued role of AI in shaping how events evolve in the coming years. You've lived in the UAE for nearly two decades. How has the local culture influenced your approach to event management? The UAE's emphasis on hospitality and inclusivity aligns beautifully with our goals in event delivery. Working in Abu Dhabi has taught me the value of adaptability and cultural sensitivity. The local tradition of blending innovation with heritage has helped shape my approach — whether it's integrating advanced technology or meeting global standards while honouring local customs. What does the future look like for Abu Dhabi as a global events destination? Abu Dhabi's transformation into a holistic world-class leisure and lifestyle destination is purely a byproduct of the leadership's ambitious vision backed by heavy investment into innovation that marries technology with sustainability. There are of course challenges with regards to climate and logistics and navigating permits, regulations and legal requirements. But at the end of the day, the steadfast vision to offer a memorable experience for all visitors backed by best-in-class practices and world-class infrastructure along with a robust investment into skilled workforce has ensured the emirate has been able to attract a diverse range of footfall. There is huge potential here for the global events industry and what makes the venue truly unique is the adherence to local culture while not compromising on offering the very best of services to guests. An international event like the Formula 1 Grand Prix draws its own unique crowd – from spectators to vendors to the real heroes on track. The emirate has proved over the years that it can host world class events where technology, innovation and creativity come together intricately to offer a truly memorable experience for all involved. And the cred
Al Etihad
44 minutes ago
- Al Etihad
FNC discusses cooperation with Brazilian, Belarusian parliaments
7 June 2025 14:10 BRASÍLIA (WAM)Dr. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs in the UAE Federal National Council (FNC), met with Senator Davi Alcolumbre, President of the Senate of the Federative Republic of Brazil, on the sidelines of the 11th BRICS Parliamentary Forum held at the National Congress in Brasí meeting was attended by Sara Falaknaz, FNC member, and Saleh Ahmed Al Suwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Alcolumbre praised the active participation of the UAE parliamentary delegation in the forum, and stressed the importance of strengthening parliamentary ties, which serve as a vital channel for broadening avenues of expressed appreciation for the UAE's role in promoting transparency and advancing economic development at both regional and international Al Nuaimi affirmed the depth of bilateral relations between the UAE and Brazil, noting the UAE considers Brazil a strategic partner across various sectors. He emphasised the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation in development projects that benefit both countries and their two sides explored ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, highlighting promising opportunities in key sectors such as advanced technology, energy and economic investment, all contributing to broader and more sustainable strategic the meeting, Dr. Al Nuaimi delivered an official letter from Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council, addressed to the President of the Brazilian Senate, extending a formal invitation to visit the a separate meeting, Dr. Al Nuaimi also held talks with Sergei Rachkov, Chairman of the Standing Commission for Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of parties affirmed the strength of UAE-Belarus relations and stressed the importance of enhancing parliamentary cooperation, maintaining ongoing dialogue and coordination on matters of mutual interest to strengthen shared strategic objectives and mutual the meeting, attended by FNC member Sara Falkanaz, Dr. Al Nuaimi highlighted the rapid growth of UAE-Belarus relations, noting the significant opportunities for further collaboration across sectors, and stressing that current global challenges require the establishment of effective partnerships and the adoption of flexible and innovative models for international cooperation.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
'Inspired by eagle shape': How 20cm-long F1 car hit 80kmph on Yas Marina track
A group of students from a Dubai school are making waves ahead of the F1 in Schools™ UAE National Finals with a miniature racing machine that blends smart engineering with real-world racing inspiration. Their car, designed and built entirely by the student team known as Team Founders, is a sleek aerodynamic marvel and it's built for one thing — speed, reaching up to 80kmph. The team's entry, developed under the rigorous guidelines of the F1 in Schools™ competition, is powered by a single 8-gram CO₂ cartridge. When launched, it sprints down a 20m track in just over a second. Hannan Ali, head of enterprise at Team Founders, a six-member team, shared insights into the team's design process, as they gear up for the international STEM competition. He said, 'The dimensions of the car are about 209mm long, 61mm wide and 70mm tall in accordance with the regulations. Additionally, the car weighs 50.1g which is just above the minimum weight,' said the Year 12 student at GEMS Founders School - Al Barsha. 'The key factors that influenced our car's design were the minimisation of drag, reduction of friction in the wheel system, and overall stability. We took inspiration from nature — specifically the streamlined shape of an eagle — as well as winning F1 in Schools teams and real-world motorsports like F1 and NASCAR.' To bring their concept to life, the team turned to professional-grade tools. The car was fully designed in Fusion 360, a powerful 3D CAD/CAM software platform widely used in the engineering industry. They then ran simulations in Ansys CFD, a leading computational fluid dynamics tool that helped them fine-tune the car's aerodynamic profile. 'Ansys gave us incredibly realistic data,' said Hannan. 'With guidance from NIO engineers, we were able to navigate complex simulations and refine our design to a professional standard.' For fabrication, the team followed competition regulations by machining the car body out of polyurethane modeling foam. To further enhance performance, they used ceramic bearings, which offered lower rolling resistance compared to traditional options. But it's their 'Dual Bearing System' that truly sets this car apart. 'We use two different bearings per wheel — one between the axle and wheel, and another between the axle and support,' said Hannan. 'This dramatically reduces energy loss and improves race time. It's our most innovative feature to date.' Assembly was just as meticulous as the design and fabrication stages. The team employed custom 3D-printed alignment jigs to ensure everything was perfectly placed. They also went through multiple rounds of sanding, painting, and bonding to create a car that looks as fast as it moves. 'Each step took days of refinement,' Hannan said. 'Achieving the required balance, smoothness, and regulatory compliance isn't just about aesthetics; it directly affects speed and performance.' Testing at Yas Marina Circuit Testing their car at the Yas Marina Circuit, the team had the rare opportunity to trial their creation on an official F1 in Schools™ racetrack. The experience not only validated their engineering work but also connected them with local experts and officials. 'Testing at Yas Marina was a highlight, not just for performance validation, but for the incredible feedback and encouragement we received.' The journey hasn't been without its challenges. Mastering industry-standard tools, ensuring millimeter-precision, and innovating within strict competition rules demanded relentless effort and adaptability. 'Every fraction of a millimeter counts,' said Hannan. 'We had to innovate constantly to remain compliant and competitive.'
