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The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology signed agreements at the Make it in the Emirates 2026 forum with Mashreq Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates Development Bank that together unlock AED18 billion in competitive financing facilities. Mashreq Bank pledged AED10 billion over five years while Dubai Islamic Bank committed AED2 billion and Emirates Development Bank allocated an additional AED6 billion under its standing partnership with the ministry. These facilities target companies of all sizes seeking to scale output, modernise equipment and strengthen domestic supply chains, according to a ministry announcement. The deals were unveiled on the opening day of the forum, which drew more than 146,000 visitors and 1,245 exhibitors across four days.
Ministry Under-Secretary Hasan Jasem Al Nowais described the partnerships as a practical translation of national industrial policy into tangible support. “These partnerships reflect our approach to translating industrial strategy into action at scale and speed, strengthening collaboration with leading national financial institutions to support sustainable industrial growth and enhance supply chain resilience,” Al Nowais said. He added that the arrangements would enable companies to adopt advanced technologies and contribute directly to the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. Emirates Development Bank chief executive Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi echoed the emphasis on accessibility, noting the AED6 billion tranche would provide competitive funding to drive competitiveness and market expansion.
Mashreq Bank group chief executive Ahmed Abdelaal stated that the AED10 billion deployment would combine direct financing, supply-chain solutions and trade services over the five-year period. The bank will also extend green loans and sustainability-linked facilities alongside advisory support for international market entry. Dubai Islamic Bank head of business banking Saud Al Jassim highlighted the provision of Sharia-compliant products designed to raise operational efficiency across the sector. All three institutions framed their commitments as alignment with national priorities that include localisation and knowledge-based economic development, the ministry reported.
UAE government data places current industrial output at AED133 billion, a baseline the Operation 300Bn strategy seeks to lift to AED300 billion by 2031 through coordinated investment and procurement measures. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has identified manufacturing expansion as central to reducing import dependence in strategic areas such as advanced technology, healthcare and clean energy. A parallel AED1 billion National Industrial Resilience Fund was launched at the same forum to accelerate domestic capacity and secure supply chains, according to official statements. These layered financing and procurement initiatives build on earlier commitments under which Emirates Development Bank has pledged a cumulative AED30 billion to priority industrial segments.
The fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates also produced more than 200 agreements encompassing AED180 billion in cumulative industrial offtakes, AED48.5 billion in fresh investments and additional project commitments valued at AED200 billion over three years, a separate assessment by The National found. Organisers reported that the event generated momentum across localisation of more than 5,000 products in sectors tied to economic, food and healthcare security. Banking and chamber partners signed supplementary SME-focused facilities to improve financing access for smaller manufacturers aligned with national diversification goals. The ministry reiterated that sustained collaboration with financial institutions remains essential to realising long-term industrial growth targets.
