An image from MIITE 2024 (Image source: MIITE 2024)

On May 19, Abu Dhabi launched the fourth edition of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ Forum, a pivotal platform underscoring the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced industries and innovation.

Official ministerial statements highlighted the forum’s role in advancing economic diversification, fostering public-private partnerships, and enhancing the UAE’s global competitiveness, aligning with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision to double the nation’s GDP to AED 3 trillion by the next decade.

H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, emphasised the UAE’s strides in diversifying its economy, with non-oil sectors now contributing 74.6% to real GDP.

The industrial sector, a cornerstone of this transformation, accounted for 11.3% of real GDP (AED 149.4bn) in the first nine months of 2024, a 2.3% increase from 2023, and over 15% of non-oil GDP.

“The sector is expected to contribute AED 193bn to the national economy in 2024,” H.E. Al Marri noted, adding that it attracted AED 40bn in foreign direct investment (FDI) by 2022, representing 7% of total FDI.

He described the Forum as a catalyst for industrial growth, fostering digital transformation and collaboration to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.

“The UAE boasts an advanced economic legislative framework that fosters an attractive investment environment and stimulates innovation and productivity,” he said, reinforcing the nation’s vision to lead the global new economy by 2031.

H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, praised the Forum’s tangible economic impact, noting its role in integrating economic, industrial, and trade policies.

“Make it in the Emirates is a successful national model…empowering the industrial sector, enhancing national value, and supporting the growth of our industrial exports,” he said.

In 2024, industrial exports reached AED 197bn, driven by quality and innovation.

Through Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) and collaboration, the Ministry is expanding export opportunities, positioning UAE-made products as globally competitive.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi underscored the Forum’s alignment with the UAE’s leadership vision to elevate local industries on the world stage.

A collaborative environment

H.E. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, highlighted the Forum’s role in uniting key sectors, particularly energy, which he described as “a central enabler of industrial development.”

He noted the industrial sector’s contribution to economic competitiveness and sustainability, with energy playing a critical role amid global shifts toward renewable sources like green hydrogen.

“The UAE’s focus on clean energy, artificial intelligence, and Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions meets development needs while ensuring resource sustainability,” he said.

The nation’s advanced infrastructure and energy sector further enhance its appeal for foreign investment, making the Forum a vital platform to explore synergies between energy, industry, and technology.

H.E. Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, Minister of Investment, emphasised the Forum’s strategic importance in expanding investment opportunities and strengthening the UAE’s business-friendly ecosystem.

“Make it in the Emirates directly contributes to economic sustainability and expands the local production base,” he said, noting its role in attracting capital to advanced industries through robust public-private partnerships and cross-border collaboration.

The platform supports FDI inflows and industrial activity, solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading industrial and technological hub amid global economic shifts.

Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. (Image source: MIITE via YouTube)

The fourth edition of Make It In The Emirates opened today in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, officially launched the conference.

“Investing in manufacturing is an investment in an advanced economy,” Al Jaber said, adding that “Every investment in the industrial sector has a multiplier effect, stimulating growth and related sectors.”

During his speech, he underscored the UAE’s success in laying strong foundations for building an effective industrial sector that supports economic diversification, which is also sustainable.

He also highlighted the importance of new technologies, especially AI, in driving industrial growth.

“We do not see artificial intelligence as just a tool or a new technology, but as a complete economic sector expected to generate over US$1.5 trillion globally by 2040,” he said.

During US President Donald Trump’s visit last week, the UAE announced the first phase of an artificial intelligence campus in Abu Dhabi, which will be the largest AI hub outside the United States.

Key statistics

Al Jaber highlighted the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s (MoIAT) technology transformation programme and the advanced technology adoption index, which has supported more than 500 factories with financing facilities totaling AED 4.6bn.

“We are also focusing on future industries such as renewable energy technologies, SMRs, space semiconductors, smart chips, components for AI data centres, energy storage, batteries, autonomous vehicles and equipment and construction materials and equipment.”

“The UAE industrial sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years. Industrial exports in 2024 reached AED 197bn, a 68% increase compared to 2021.”

“The UAE has expanded strategic partnerships through comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) that have enhanced market access for Emirati products and raised the country's foreign trade to over AED 5 trillion through the national in country value programme…Local spending under the programme has reached AED 347bn AED and created over 22,000 jobs for Emiratis.”

A regional industrial partnership for sustainable economic development was launched with the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Qatar, and Turkey, advancing supply chain integration through US$5bn in joint projects across key sectors. Following directives from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the "Make it in the Emirates" platform was enhanced to support the National Industrial Sector. This year's edition includes major projects, increasing industrial procurement opportunities from AED 143bn AED to AED 168bn over the next decade, a AED25bn rise from the previous year.

“This year's edition will feature major projects and initiatives, including first raising the value of industrial procurement opportunities from AED 143bn to AED 168bn over the next 10 years, a AED 25bn increase over last year,” Al Jaber said.

Gallium plays a vital role in numerous industries. (Image source: EGA)

Tawazun Council, aerospace and defence company RTX, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have signed an MoU to establish EGA as a new producer of gallium, a critical mineral essential to global supply chains.

The agreement will enable the extraction and refining of gallium at EGA’s alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi, elevating the UAE to the position of the world’s second-largest gallium producer.

Gallium plays a vital role in numerous industries, from semiconductors and electric vehicles to medical devices and telecom infrastructure. In the defence sector, it is particularly significant due to its use in advanced radar systems.

The new partnership will ensure a stable and secure supply of gallium for companies such as RTX.

Tawazun Council is leading this initiative through its Tawazun Economic Programme, a national strategy focused on attracting advanced technologies, promoting knowledge transfer, and building resilient industrial capabilities.

The programme underpins the UAE’s industrial security and ensures the defence sector’s competitiveness on a global scale.

Operation 300bn

H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Council’s new 2025–2028 strategy, which emphasises strengthening the national industrial base and developing state-of-the-art infrastructure to secure technological and industrial self-sufficiency. He noted the importance of attracting high-quality investments, broadening international and local partnerships, and empowering Emirati talent.

He described the project as a key milestone in advancing the UAE’s strategic industries, and a major step in positioning the country as a global hub for gallium production a rare and strategically vital metal. Dr. Al Nuaimi underscored the project’s role in enhancing production and export capabilities, supporting the creation of a sovereign national supply base, and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in industrial innovation.

“The aerospace and defence industry relies on stable access to rare earth elements,” said Paolo Dal Cin, senior vice president for operations and supply chain at RTX. “Today’s agreement puts us on a path towards a reliable supply of gallium, needed for production of critical aerospace and defence solutions.”

As part of the agreement, EGA and RTX plan to conduct a feasibility study for a high-purity gallium facility at EGA’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery.

This refinery converts bauxite into alumina, which is the essential raw material for aluminium production.

Gallium is naturally present in bauxite in trace amounts, and while it is considered an impurity in aluminium, it must be carefully managed to meet stringent quality requirements for advanced applications.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of EGA, said, “Gallium is an important metal for the most advanced electronics systems but remains commercially challenging to produce. This agreement between Tawazun Council, EGA, and RTX makes the development of a new source of gallium in the UAE feasible, creating an additional revenue stream for EGA and a new industrial capability for the UAE in line with our nation’s industrial growth strategy Operation 300bn. We look forward to making progress on this project with our partners.”

The visit offered a first-hand look at innovations in material science. (Image source: DAW)

The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance infrastructure during a strategic visit to a Polymer Resin Concrete (PRC) manufacturing facility in Qatar.

The visit offered a first-hand look at innovations in material science, quality control, and sustainable manufacturing, further highlighting DAW’s role in advancing PRC solutions within the UAE’s infrastructure landscape.

Known for their exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion, and lower environmental impact, PRC technologies are playing a growing role in raising infrastructure standards across the region.

This collaboration between MOEI and DAW underlines a joint ambition to build more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems, aligning with national development goals and broader regional sustainability targets.

“We are committed to integrating innovative, sustainable technologies into our infrastructure projects. Our engagement with advanced materials like PRC reflects our strategic focus o building resilient, future-ready assets that meet the UAE’s long-term development visio,” the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure stated. 

Tarek Musbah Abdulrahman, General Manager of Dar Alwd Construction (DAW), added: “At Dar Alwd Construction, we remain deeply committed to supporting the UAE’s vision for sustainable infrastructure by delivering innovative, high-performance solutions. We are proud to contribute our expertise toward building resilient, future-ready developments that align with the nation’s growth objectives”.