Qatar and Türkiye have officially joined the five existing member states of the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, as announced during the fifth meeting of the group in Doha.
This notable addition enhances the strategic development of the partnership, which was established in Abu Dhabi in 2022, and reflects the shared ambition of member countries to improve industrial integration, strengthen cooperation, and build a resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy.
The inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye marks a significant advancement in regional industrial integration. Their accession supports the partnership’s goals for industrial growth and expansion, bringing fresh momentum due to Qatar’s abundant natural resources and technological advancements, alongside Türkiye’s robust industrial capabilities.
Both nations are recognized for their strengths across various sectors, including manufacturing, renewable energy, textiles and ready-made garments, pharmaceuticals, chemical fertilizers and phosphates, mining and minerals, as well as food industries.
Focus on strengthening supply chains and achieving self-sufficiency
The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development is particularly significant given the rapid global developments. Member countries are focused on boosting supply chains and achieving self-sufficiency in strategic and priority industries. The inclusion of Türkiye and Qatar underscores the partnership’s crucial role in driving sustainable economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness.
Qatar’s entry into the partnership represents a crucial step in promoting regional collaboration across key industries. The Qatari economy exemplifies sustainable growth, with the industrial sector accounting for 25 percent of its GDP, supported by its unique chemicals, metals, and renewable energy industries.
Through its National Strategy for Manufacturing Industries (2024-2030), Qatar aims to elevate the industrial sector’s contribution to QAR 70.5 billion by 2030, thereby reinforcing its status as an industrial powerhouse.
Türkiye: A leading economic force with diversified industries
Türkiye stands as a leading economic force, driven by its diversified industries and economic resilience, with a GDP exceeding $1.1 trillion in 2023. Its strategic location provides access to markets with over 1.3 billion consumers, complemented by free trade agreements with numerous countries, enhancing its global competitiveness. Türkiye serves as a crucial hub for global supply chains, showcasing robust industrial capabilities in sectors such as automotive, food processing, textiles, metals, and advanced technologies.
The inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye in the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development underscores the partnership’s progress in promoting industrial integration and creating new opportunities for all member countries. Their advanced infrastructure, investment incentives, and skilled workforce will significantly enhance the regional industrial base and boost the competitiveness of the seven partner countries. This expansion paves the way toward achieving sustainable economic development goals, with a focus on supply chain resilience, import substitution, and job creation.
Key developments from the fifth meeting of the Higher Committee
The fifth meeting of the Higher Committee for the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development was attended by several key officials, including Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, minister of Commerce and Industry in Qatar; Yarub Falah Al Qudah, minister of Industry, Trade and Supply in Jordan; Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al Wazir, deputy prime minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport in Egypt; Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, minister of Industry and Commerce in Bahrain; Ryad Mezzour, minister of Industry and Trade in Morocco; and Mehmet Fatih Kaçır, minister of Industry and Technology in Türkiye.
This meeting reflects the commitment of member countries to enhance industrial cooperation and boost sustainable economic development in the region.
During the meeting, several agreements were signed, and strategic projects valued at over $2 billion were announced, aimed at enhancing collaboration among member countries in critical sectors such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. These initiatives also prioritize the development of healthy food industries, biotechnology innovation, and advancements in electrical and high-tech industries.
Read more: Industrial partnership links Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, and Jordan
Notable agreements and strategic projects announced
Key announcements included a raw material supply agreement between Bahrain Steel and Qatar, valued at $1.3 billion, facilitating the supply of 5 million metric tons of raw materials over five years. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UAE’s ISC Capital and Bahrain’s Peninsula Farms to establish a sustainable microalgae production facility in Bahrain, with a $10 million investment. This project aims to advance microalgae production technology and provide industrial and medical solutions, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, while also creating job opportunities in research, agriculture, extraction, laboratory work, and production.
Another significant announcement involved Egypt’s Giza Cable Accessories planning to establish a new facility in the UAE dedicated to producing cable accessories and electrical connectors, with an investment of nearly $7 million. Additional agreements were finalized for the supply of PET plastic containers from Jordan’s Exceed Industries and plastic caps from Egypt’s Delta El Nile to UAE’s Hayatna – National Dairy, each valued at $10 million. Furthermore, a $15 million agreement was signed for the supply of animal feed from the UAE’s National Feed Factory (NFFM) to Qatar’s Al Rayyan Horse Essentials.
In the pharmaceutical sector, key agreements included a collaboration between the UAE’s Globalpharma and Morocco’s Zenith Pharma to manufacture, license, and transfer technology in areas such as injectable medications, biologics, and treatments for cholesterol and diabetes. This partnership, with an investment exceeding $50 million, aims to strengthen regional pharmaceutical security and enhance local production capacity for medical solutions.
To boost regional investments, the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company announced the acquisition of two factories—Adwia Pharmaceuticals in Egypt and PHI in Morocco—significantly driving Mubadala’s pharmaceutical investments on both regional and global scales. Additionally, a MoU was signed between Morocco’s Dolidol and the UAE’s Intercoil to expand manufacturing capabilities for mattresses and foam production in the UAE.
Accelerating economic growth
These new projects underscore the commitment of the member countries of the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development to achieving sustainable economic development. They aim to accelerate economic growth, support sustainability, and enhance collaboration in economic and investment initiatives. The initiatives are expected to create new job opportunities, strengthen food and industrial security, and promote innovation across crucial and advanced industries. Collectively, these efforts represent significant strides toward establishing the region as a leading global hub for industrial investment.
During the Higher Committee meetings, a comprehensive review of the partnership’s achievements was conducted. His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the tripartite higher committee and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the UAE, presented a detailed report outlining the outcomes, including the successful implementation of strategic projects and support for vital sectors across member countries. The meeting also provided updates on ongoing projects and discussed the future work plan, aimed at further enhancing regional cooperation and contributing to sustainable development.
Member countries reviewed their competitive advantages, which include advanced infrastructure, supportive policies, and investment incentives designed for investors. They highlighted promising investment opportunities in strategic sectors, demonstrating the commitment of the partnership’s countries to attract industrial investments and create a favorable investment environment that drives regional economic integration.
Recognition of outstanding contributions
Four industrial companies were honored by the attending ministers for their significant contributions in supporting the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development: The UAE’s Global Pharma and Jordan’s Savvy Pharma were recognized for their outstanding efforts in pharmaceutical research and development among member countries. Emirates Steel and Bahrain Steel were acknowledged for their essential role in the supply of raw materials, as agreed in the previous Higher Committee meeting held in Bahrain in January 2024.
The ministers encouraged other participating private sector companies present to follow the example set by these distinguished organizations. They emphasized the importance of enhancing contributions to partnership projects and leveraging the competitive advantages provided by this initiative to promote sustainable development and advance vital sectors that benefit the member countries.
Unified vision achieved
Dr. Al Jaber began his speech by extending greetings from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and conveying his wishes for continued success in achieving the shared goals of the partnership’s countries. He emphasized that this partnership embodies a unified vision focused on enhancing sustainable economic development and strengthening complementary relations among member countries by leveraging their competitive advantages and the significant potential of the partnership.
Dr. Al Jaber also expressed gratitude to Qatar for hosting the fifth Higher Committee meeting and welcomed the inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye into the partnership, highlighting their roles in advancing the collective goals of the initiative. He stated, “We welcome the inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye in the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, and we are confident that this step will bolster the common interests of all members, especially considering the industrial and economic standing of both countries. Their extensive track record of success across various sectors, particularly in the industrial field, plays a crucial role in supporting investment opportunities both regionally and globally.”
He also expressed gratitude to the Executive Committee and the working teams from the member countries for their dedicated efforts in overseeing the implementation of work plans, reviewing the latest project developments, and organizing workshops for the private sector. He noted that these efforts have led to tangible progress in achieving the partnership’s objectives and promoting cooperation among member countries.
Driving sustainable development
Dr. Al Jaber added, “The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development is a remarkable success story that began in Abu Dhabi in May 2022. It has already transformed several agreements signed during previous meetings into tangible projects that we are now witnessing come to fruition. We are pleased to observe today the announcement of several new projects and agreements in key priority sectors, valued at over $2 billion.”
He emphasized that these projects contribute to the integration of expertise and capabilities among the partnership’s countries, helping to build a sustainable common industrial base by leveraging each country’s competitive advantages. Furthermore, these initiatives support supply chain resilience, reduce production costs, boost research and development, enhance the qualification of national competencies, and create thousands of job opportunities. Ultimately, they contribute to achieving the strategic goals of the partnership while promoting industrial growth and regional cooperation.
Sheikh Al Thani said, “The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development represents a strategic step towards enhancing industrial collaboration and integration among our countries by aligning key industrial sectors and establishing joint initiatives that contribute to improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the industrial sector.”
He added, “Qatar joining the partnership is a significant leap that reflects our strong commitment to enhancing industrial cooperation within the region. We are confident that this partnership will play a fundamental role in supporting sustainable development efforts by providing outstanding investment opportunities and driving cooperation within the private sector. Moreover, Qatar’s substantial economic potential and smart infrastructure will be instrumental in achieving the partnership’s objectives and accelerating economic growth.”
Catalyzing industrial innovation
Kacır stated, “For Türkiye, strategic synergy between industrial innovation accumulated by national technology initiatives and effective global cooperation is among the key priorities. To this end, joining this partnership will not only provide strategic collaboration opportunities for our industries but also promote technological advancement and create new endeavors for sustainable economic development in our region. I believe this partnership will serve as a catalyst for enhancing regional collaboration by improving industrial capabilities and building greater value-chain resilience.”
Fakhro expressed his gratitude to Qatar for the warm welcome and organization of the meetings. He welcomed the inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye into this industrial alliance, which has evolved into a regional economic center that enhances industrial integration, particularly in advanced sectors such as petrochemicals, automotive, aviation, and electronics. Fakhro emphasized the Bahrain government’s commitment to support manufacturers participating in this partnership by providing the necessary facilities, aligning with the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-2026) aimed at enhancing regional industrial integration.
He added, “The commitment of countries in the alliance and the quality projects developed in cooperation with the private sector reflect our firm belief in the importance of industrial integration and the development of supply chains to achieve economic diversification and increase the competitiveness of the industrial sector in the region. We encourage the private sector to seize these opportunities to expand production lines, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of supply chains.”
Building economic resilience
Al-Qudah stated, “We are delighted with today’s meeting as parties to an industrial partnership that was launched as a tripartite initiative in 2022 and has now expanded to a seven-party partnership with the accession of Qatar and Türkiye. These two enriching members add diversity in natural resources and capabilities, as well as richer ideas and strategic directions, which will allow us to come together to build a more prosperous region.”
Al-Qudah added that the current challenge is to sustain and institutionalize the measures taken by member countries to recover. He outlined two crucial levels for action: first, at the national level, through economic and administrative legislation, enabling tools, and supportive regulatory structures; and second, at the regional level, by promoting economic integration that harnesses benefits to establish joint projects and facilitate trade exchange without obstacles. He concluded that these measures will contribute to a proactive approach based on strengthening economic and social resilience through both internal and external strategies.
Al-Qudah mentioned that the Jordanian government, under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and in partnership with the private sector, is working to empower Jordanian manufacturers. The goal is to enable them to play a more significant role in the partnership alongside their counterparts in member countries.
He stated, “Our economic policies and legislation are focused on fostering collaboration with regional states. This includes the Investment Environment Law, which offers incentives and exemptions to investors, supports energy costs, accelerates procedures, and ensures equal treatment for both Jordanian and non-Jordanian investors.”
Industrial integration is no longer an option
Lieutenant General Al Wazir remarked, “Partnership and industrial integration between our countries is no longer an option, but rather an urgent necessity to enhance our competitiveness in global markets and achieve comprehensive development.”
He added, “In a world characterized by accelerating economic, technological, and geopolitical changes, cooperation among our countries is the most effective way to overcome challenges and capitalize on available opportunities in sustainable industries. These industries align with global trends and aim to reduce carbon emissions and preserve natural resources. This approach will help maximize the benefits derived from available resources and create new job opportunities, in line with each country’s strategy and goals.”
Mezzour stated, “The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development embodies the ambition of our countries to enhance integration and collaboration with the goal of building a strong economic alliance. This alliance aims to ensure the security of supply chains and enhance value chains between our nations, as well as to launch industrial partnership projects with high added value.”
He added, “By unifying our efforts and investing in the potential of integration between our resources and industries, we are working to enhance competitiveness and innovation in our industrial sectors, ultimately achieving sustainable industrial growth.”
Doha hosted the meetings of the Executive Committee of the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, where participants discussed the latest developments in ongoing projects and proposals for new projects. These discussions included collaborations with companies in various sectors, such as food, agricultural technology, minerals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, sustainability, and more.
