Technology

The UAE has announced an additional commitment of $6.26 billion to local manufacturing during the Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) Forum, which concluded on Tuesday. Organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the forum showcased a series of significant announcements, including a $820 million commitment to procure locally produced medical equipment. This latest round of local procurement pledges raises the total value of offtakes generated by the forum’s three editions to $38.93 billion, encompassing 2,000 products for local manufacturing.

These commitments are part of a series of multi-billion-dollar agreements and initiatives unveiled at MIITE, aimed at promoting economic self-sufficiency and attracting investment to the UAE. A total of 82 agreements were signed during the forum, supporting the national strategy, Operation 300bn, which aims to increase the manufacturing value added to $81 billion by 2031.

Among the key announcements were industrial projects and investments worth more than $5.44 billion. Notably, a $12 million investment was announced to launch the UAE’s first microalgae producer. UK-based Levidian also announced a $100 million investment in a new Regional Delivery Centre in Abu Dhabi, targeting $2 billion in revenues by 2030 and promising to create hundreds of jobs.

MoIAT also launched the AI Innovation Program to help industrial companies integrate artificial intelligence into their operations. The program is backed by $100 million in financing from Emirates Development Bank (EDB). Additionally, EDB partnered with commercial banks to provide $272 million in co-lending to support industrial companies. Another initiative, Transform 4.0, was introduced with the goal of creating 100 Industry 4.0 lighthouses over the next three to five years.

His Excellency Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, stated: “The third edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum marks significant progress for the UAE’s industrial sector. In just three years since the establishment of the ministry, the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP has grown by 49% to AED 197 billion ($53.64 billion). The country has emerged as a global hub for industrial investment and innovation, attracting some of the world’s biggest names and best talents.”

Dr. Al Jaber added, “The announcements made this week will enhance national resilience in key sectors such as energy, healthcare, and food, while also creating strong investment opportunities for companies seeking to unlock the new wave of value being created by Operation 300bn.”

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