ع
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology reported that the four-day summit, which ended on May 7, yielded aggregate deals worth Dh171 billion, including Dh48.5 billion in investments and Dh19.2 billion in financing as well as planned projects valued at Dh200 billion over the next three years. According to the ministry, the expanded offtake pipeline will support localisation of more than 5,000 products to reduce import dependence and enhance economic resilience. The ministry’s figures show the industrial sector now contributes Dh200 billion to GDP with exports reaching Dh262 billion, of which Dh92 billion come from advanced manufacturing. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, stated in his keynote that those who manufacture own their decisions while those who build own their future.
A ministry assessment found the latest commitments build directly on Operation 300bn, the national industrial strategy launched in 2021 that seeks to lift the sector’s GDP contribution from Dh133 billion at the time to Dh300 billion by 2031. The ministry noted that major domestic pacts included a $10 billion capital investment agreement between Abu Dhabi’s Ta’ziz and Alpha Dhabi to develop a chemicals ecosystem together with $28.5 billion in global offtake and feedstock deals from Ta’ziz. International Holding Company signed more than 60 strategic agreements worth over Dh40 billion spanning financial services, space technology, mining, clean energy and artificial intelligence, the ministry said. Mubadala Investment Company announced Dh4.5 billion in investments while Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi concluded Dh2.1 billion in deals.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology highlighted additional accords such as a Dh1 billion desalination plant project from Etihad Water and Electricity, a Dh200 million contract awarded by defence firm Edge to ECCI for high-technology cable harnesses, and six partnerships by Emsteel to advance manufacturing and decarbonise the steel chain. According to the ministry, the summit also unveiled plans to enable Dh2 billion in annual food import substitution by supporting up to 200 factories and targeting a 15 to 30 per cent rise in local production capacity. The ministry added that Adnoc became the first partner in the National Industrial Resilience Fund while PureHealth exceeded Dh6.33 billion in local procurement since joining the In-Country Value programme in 2022.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber told summit delegates that in the UAE authorities do not simply endure hardships but emerge from them stronger, framing the announcements as a response to geopolitical shocks including the Iran war. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology reported that industrial procurement opportunities in the country will increase 7 per cent to Dh180 billion over the next decade under the expanded pipeline. A ministry statement placed the number of exhibitors at a record 1,245 with attendance rising 19 per cent to 146,329 visitors, reflecting growing interest in the UAE’s diversification drive that has seen non-oil sectors reach 70 per cent of GDP according to recent economic assessments.
The ministry outlined priority sectors under Operation 300bn that include chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing, metals and advanced technologies, areas targeted by many of the summit agreements. Emirates Global Aluminium, Adnoc Logistics and Services, M42, GMSC and PepsiCo figured among the entities signing pacts to reinforce supply chains, the ministry said. According to the ministry, an agreement with banks unlocked additional financing while partnerships with Whoop and Dtek.ai advanced health technology and artificial intelligence applications in industrial settings.
Ministry data indicate the summit agreements will deepen local value chains and create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises as the UAE continues implementing its 10-year industrial roadmap. The ministry confirmed that more than 200 accords covered offtakes, investments, financing, projects and enablement programmes with participation from both government entities and private conglomerates. Dr Sultan Al Jaber reiterated that combining manufacturing and construction would secure sovereignty and resilience for the national economy.
