The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF), has recently launched the Dubai In-Country Value (ICV) Program, aimed at strengthening the local manufacturing sector by directing more government spending toward domestic suppliers.
The initiative will be implemented through TASHAROK, the Government of Dubai’s shared procurement program. Managed by the Support Services Center (SSC) at Dubai Finance, TASHAROK enables government entities to benefit from preferential rates through pre-approved supplier agreements.
“The Dubai In-Country Value Program marks a strategic shift in government procurement, aligned with the objectives of the D33 Agenda, to strengthen the emirate’s industrial base and advance sustainable economic growth. In collaboration with the Department of Finance and the TASHAROK lead buyers, the initiative demonstrates the power of unified government procurement in supporting local manufacturers and SMEs to scale up with purpose,” stated Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET.
Program to support GDP growth
The Dubai In-Country Value Program is set to create substantial opportunities for local manufacturers and Emirati-owned businesses, reinforcing sustainable and inclusive economic growth. The initiative forms part of DET’s broader strategy to position Dubai as a global center for trade, investment and innovation.
By encouraging government entities to prioritize products with higher local content, the program empowers businesses to play a greater role in achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033 and strengthen its status as a leading global destination for business and leisure.
The program will also help retain a larger share of government expenditure within Dubai’s economy, further supporting GDP growth.
“By placing greater emphasis on in-country value, we are enhancing supply chain resilience, promoting self-sufficiency and reinforcing Dubai’s global competitiveness as a center for high-value production and innovation. Initiatives such as this are key to building a more agile and future-ready economy, in line with the vision of Dubai’s leadership,” added Badri.
Program to involve seven key government entities
The TASHAROK program covers 42 general product categories, including items such as office supplies and medical consumables. Under its enhanced model, the program will continue to operate through a hybrid framework involving seven key government entities—Dubai Municipality, Dubai Health, Dubai Police, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Customs, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Dubai Airports.
These entities will incorporate the Dubai In-Country Value Program criteria into their procurement strategies and establish framework agreements with approved suppliers. The agreements will also be accessible to all participating government entities, ensuring a unified approach to In-Country Value implementation across the public sector. DET will also provide technical support and actively promote the program to drive adoption across government procurement channels.
“This initiative underscores our commitment to supporting the local manufacturing sector and enhancing long-term economic sustainability. We remain focused on enabling government entities to streamline their procurement processes and take full advantage of the preferential pricing available through the TASHAROK program,” stated Hamed Al Awadhi, executive director of the shared services sector at Dubai Finance.
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Initiative to ensure seamless access for lead buyers
The Dubai In-Country Value Program aims to encourage government entities to prioritize suppliers with strong local capabilities, ranging from manufacturers based in Dubai and Emirati-owned businesses to firms employing local talent and operating within the emirate.
By integrating the ICV framework into the TASHAROK platform, the initiative ensures seamless access for lead buyers and participating entities, further streamlining the procurement process and reinforcing alignment with Dubai’s economic priorities.
To ensure effective implementation, DET and DOF have also organized a series of workshops to strengthen the capacity of lead buyers. The sessions have provided detailed guidance on assessing local manufacturing content in procurement decisions, integrating ICV criteria into TASHAROK sourcing strategies, and measuring the economic impact to ensure tangible outcomes across the government procurement ecosystem.
