ADNOC has signed a strategic collaboration agreement (SCA) with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADDCI), aimed at boosting local manufacturing capabilities.
The SCA, which was signed at Abu Dhabi Business Week, builds on ADNOC’s successful In-Country Value (ICV) programme, which is driving industrial growth and diversification while strengthening the UAE’s manufacturing capacity.
The agreement will strengthen the UAE’s industrial ecosystem and explore opportunities to support local manufacturers by leveraging key incentives, ensuring alignment with national strategic objectives, and fostering compliance with UAE regulations.
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Empowering SMEs
A core focus of the agreement is empowering small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by integrating them into ADNOC’s supply chain, fostering innovation, enhancing competitiveness, and contributing to the UAE’s broader economic diversification goals.
The signing of the agreement was witnessed by Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC managing director and group CEO, and His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of ADDED and ADDCI.
Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, under-secretary, MoIAT, Badr Al Olama, director-general of ADIO, Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, the second vice chairman of ADDCI, and Yaser Saeed Almazrouei, ADNOC executive director, People, Commercial and Corporate Support, signed the agreement.
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Omar Al Suwaidi said: “This collaboration embodies the UAE’s commitment to sustainable economic development. The programme is in line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, Operation 300bn, to make supply chains more sustainable and achieve self-sufficiency in critical areas. At the same time, the initiative helps businesses to grow by providing incentives and enablers, ultimately enhancing the competitiveness of national products and reducing the country’s dependency on imports.”
“The partnership between MoIAT, Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ADNOC and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office reflects a shared commitment to supporting the industrial sector and developing an attractive investment environment. Under this strategic cooperation, the ministry will continue supporting manufacturers to meet the requirements of ADNOC’s procurement teams to help local businesses secure manufacturing contracts. This cooperation will ultimately create new investment opportunities while enhancing supply chains in vital areas such as energy. The ministry remains focused on promoting the adoption of advanced technology, encouraging innovation, supporting SMEs to grow, and increasing national productivity through introducing incentives and enablers,” he added.
Collaboration for diversification
Badr Al Olama said, “This MoU reflects the power of collaboration in driving Abu Dhabi’s industrial growth and economic diversification. By joining forces with ADNOC and ADCCI, we are creating a unified platform to empower local manufacturers and SMEs, ensuring they have the resources, support, and opportunities to thrive. Together, we are paving the way for a stronger, more innovative, and globally competitive industrial ecosystem.”
The agreement reflects a UAE-wide effort to strengthen the industrial ecosystem by exploring opportunities to empower local manufacturers, improve competitiveness, and enable SMEs to thrive. Recently, ADNOC announced its target to drive AED200 billion ($54.5 billion) into the UAE economy over the next five years, building on the AED55 billion delivered this year through its ICV programme.
