The fourth edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum will take place in partnership with the ADNEC Group in Abu Dhabi from May 19 to 22, 2025.
The forum aims to significantly enhance the UAE’s industrial sector, which currently contributes AED205 billion ($55.8 billion) to the national GDP by end of 2023.
The upcoming edition is expected to unveil several agreements for UAE-based industrial companies, building on the current AED 143 billion, comprising 2,000 products for local manufacturing, already announced through previous editions.
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In addition, the previous editions witnessed the announcement of new enablers and incentives, including competitive financing solutions for industrial companies worth AED16 billion via Emirates Development Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Mashreq Bank, including AED3.1 billion in technology financing. In 2025, exhibition space is likely to grow to more than 50,000 square meters, and over 20,000 visitors are likely to visit compared to 6,100 in 2024.
Driving industrial growth
“Aligned with our leadership’s vision to drive industrial growth, supply chain resilience, enhance economic diversification, MoIAT is committed to empowering the industrial sector and increasing its resilience. The industrial sector contributed significantly to the national economy, which reached an impressive AED205 billion by end of 2023,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
“The fourth edition of the Make it in the Emirates Forum will be characterized by collaboration between the public and private sectors, including the partnership between MoIAT and ADNEC, benefitting from both sectors’ logistical capabilities, financial solutions, and incentives to enhance the forum’s impact. This edition will create promising opportunities for investors to establish and expand their businesses, helping them to access key markets and boost their products’ competitiveness regionally and globally. It contributed in increasing the growth of manufacturing facilities within the country by 10 percent annually. The forum will transcend borders, unveiling international agreements and opportunities worth billions of dirhams, offering diverse job opportunities, showcasing success stories from international companies operating in the UAE, and emphasizing innovation and manufacturing,” he added.
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Impact of productivity
Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, Minister of Culture, said: “We recognize the profound impact of productive nations on the journey of humanity and the achievements they bring to life. We take pride in the efforts that position the UAE as a leader in industry, driven by skilled national talent equipped with world-class knowledge, expertise, and science. These individuals work tirelessly to raise the UAE’s flag high across various fields, fueled by unwavering determination to fulfill national ambitions and embody the vision of our wise leadership, which has invested in their capabilities and provided them with comprehensive support to excel.”
The statements were made during a signing ceremony in the presence of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Sheikh Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
Pavilion for Emirati handicraft
A highlight of this edition will be the introduction of a dedicated pavilion for Emirati handicrafts, showcasing local talent and the cultural heritage of the UAE. It will be presented alongside cutting-edge sectors such as advanced manufacturing food and beverage, agritech, pharmaceuticals, medtech, shipbuilding, metals and fabrication, handicrafts, AI and Industry 4.0, chemicals, plastics and sustainable materials, oil and gas, hydrogen and energy, electrical equipment, machinery and construction material, aerospace, automotive and defense. Reinforcing the forum’s focus on innovation and sustainability. The collaborative efforts aim to build upon the success of past editions, which saw significant engagement from both local and international entities.
Sustainable partnerships
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, chairman of the UAE Chambers, said: “We have been collaborating with MoIAT to organize the Make it in the Emirates Forum since its inception, as part of our commitment to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as the region’s most competitive industrial hub”. This collaboration reflects ADDED’s commitment to contributing to Operation 300bn as well as the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.”
“There are a large number of promising opportunities in Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector that can be discovered at the upcoming Make it in the Emirates Forum, which provides a platform forbuilding partnerships and engaging in discussions to address the needs of the industrial sector. Industry plays a key role in economic diversification. In Q2 2024, Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing value add rose to a record high of AED26.8 billion, accounting for 16.3 percent of the emirate’s non-oil GDP. Since the launch of ADIS in 2022, Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector has grown by 21.7 percent.”
Make it in the Emirates Awards
As part of the forum, the Make in the Emirates Awards will continue to commend excellence in the industrial sector, featuring 10 categories across fields such as sustainability, innovation, and leadership. The Make it in the Emirates Startup Competition will also return, providing startups with significant opportunities to develop technologies aligned with UAE’s industrial growth.
Through these initiatives, the forum represents a concerted effort to enhance collaboration between local and international investors, fostering the UAE’s economic diversification and solidifying its position as a global industrial hub.
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