TLDR:
• UAE hosts industry investment forum
• Public-private partnership enhances manufacturing
• Local crafts, tech, green industry featured
ABU DHABI (The Thursday Times) — The Make it in the Emirates Forum is returning to Abu Dhabi for its fourth edition, promising a dynamic push for the UAE’s burgeoning industrial sector. In collaboration with ADNEC Group, the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) is set to host this fourth edition, running from 19 to 22 May 2025. This event has grown in significance, symbolising a fusion of industrial innovation and international investment, showcasing a comprehensive strategy that is reshaping the region’s industrial landscape.
Driving economic diversification
At the heart of this strategic forum is the UAE’s bid to amplify its industrial might, with MoIAT partnering with ADNEC Group to create an unparalleled platform for growth. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, has articulated a vision aligned with national economic diversification goals. By strengthening supply chains and promoting sustainable practices, the UAE has crafted an industrial ecosystem that now contributes a substantial figure to its GDP. The emphasis is on transforming the nation into a hub for manufacturing, smart tech, and investment, setting ambitious targets that have drawn interest from a wide array of stakeholders.
A global platform for investment
The forum’s format extends beyond typical exhibitions, evolving into a global platform where industrial opportunities are showcased. Through extensive investment outreach and the promotion of smart manufacturing, the UAE continues to attract top-tier companies. Since the launch of Operation 300bn, the focus has been on sustainability, smart technologies, and building resilient supply chains. This year’s iteration of the forum promises to transcend borders, underpinned by strategic agreements that aim to further integrate the UAE into the global manufacturing sphere.
Public-private collaboration
Public-private partnerships remain central to this forum’s ethos. This synergy is exemplified by MoIAT’s collaboration with ADNEC, pooling resources and incentives to boost the forum’s reach and impact. The integration of financial solutions from UAE banks is also a highlight, with previous editions already having secured billions of dirhams in commitments for manufacturing projects. The continued expansion of the forum’s influence suggests a long-term approach that has redefined investment paradigms, inviting global participation while ensuring local talent and innovation play a key role.
Showcasing Emirati heritage
Among the forum’s new features is a dedicated pavilion for Emirati handicrafts, a nod to cultural preservation alongside industrial advancement. Traditional crafts will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with sectors such as AI-driven manufacturing, medtech, agritech, and energy solutions. This blend of heritage and cutting-edge technology embodies the UAE’s unique approach to industrialisation, where past meets future in a unified economic vision. The integration of cultural and creative industries into the industrial strategy speaks volumes about the UAE’s holistic view of economic growth.
Economic impact and growth
The economic impact of the Make it in the Emirates Forum is undeniable. Figures from previous events reveal a steady increase in manufacturing output and investment, boosted by government-led initiatives and a robust framework of incentives. Abu Dhabi’s industrial value continues to soar, reflecting the emirate’s industrial strategy and a renewed commitment to achieving a net-zero economy. The forum serves as a vehicle for Abu Dhabi’s vision, strengthening the UAE’s position as a competitive global industrial hub and spotlighting its ambitious targets under the Operation 300bn initiative.
Focus on local manufacturing
As a central feature, the event will also unveil significant purchasing agreements for locally manufactured products, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to self-sufficiency and economic independence. This extends to the energy sector, where ADNOC, through its In-Country Value (ICV) program, is on track to pump billions back into the national economy. The strategic alignment between ADNOC and MoIAT has generated tangible outcomes, such as the local manufacturing of essential goods, ensuring supply chain robustness while promoting technological innovation.
Abu Dhabi’s industrial strategy
Abu Dhabi’s ambitious economic diversification is supported by data that highlights its growing industrial sector. This includes a noteworthy rise in the manufacturing value add, an indicator of the emirate’s strategic focus on industrialisation. The Make it in the Emirates Forum has played a pivotal role in this transformation, and upcoming editions will only expand this influence further, fostering investment and spurring dialogue among global leaders. It is not just about scaling up; it’s about setting the stage for a future-ready industrial ecosystem, underpinned by an unwavering commitment to sustainability and innovation.
