The UAE ranked fifth in this year’s Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development (QI4SD) Index, climbing six places since the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched the index in June 2022. The index categorized the UAE in the ‘L’ group which includes countries with a GDP between $100 billion and $1 trillion such as Switzerland, South Africa, Singapore and Finland.
The UAE also emerged as the second highest-ranking country in the Middle East, with only Saudi Arabia in the XL group achieving a slightly higher score. In first place on the QI4SD Index came Switzerland then Czechia, South Africa and Slovakia.
“The UAE’s latest ranking in the QI4SD Index reflects the vision of the leadership to make our country’s supply chains stronger and more sustainable while advancing economic diversification. This milestone reaffirms how the UAE’s Quality Infrastructure is harmonized with regional and international standards and follows global best practices,” stated Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology.
Driving industrial sector’s growth
The QI4SD Index serves as a comprehensive framework converging multiple indicators that evaluate the readiness of national QI systems to contribute to sustainable development goals. The rapid ascent of the UAE in this index reflects the exceptional direction of its leaders and highlights the substantial advancements in its quality infrastructure driven by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and its stakeholders.
“The UAE’s ranking further reinforces international confidence in the country’s quality infrastructure, which is driving efficiency, competitiveness and productivity in the industrial sector. Quality infrastructure is one of the pillars of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, Operation 300bn. Robust quality infrastructure is vital for attracting industrial investments and enabling smooth trade by removing technical barriers,” added Al Jaber.
Greater national self-sufficiency
A country’s prosperity is deeply interconnected with its economic development, which is driven by advancements in industry and infrastructure. For developing countries today, industrialization is a vital pathway to economic growth, just as it was for now-developed countries in the past.
In the UAE, the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology supports industrial growth and competitiveness. It is creating an attractive business environment for local and international investors through strengthening the sustainability and resilience of supply chains and enhancing national self-sufficiency, explained Omar Al Suwaidi, undersecretary of MoIAT.
“The results of the QI4SD Index reflect national efforts to create a legislative and technical environment that boosts trust, efficiency, safety, sustainability and innovation. We are working with our strategic partners to continuously update frameworks to empower the industrial sector and support companies to conform with quality and sustainability standards,” he added.
The ministry also works with its strategic partners from the government and the private sector to enhance growth and support the competitiveness of UAE-made products. Among the most notable collaborations is the “Make it in the Emirates Forum”, which will evolve into a global platform when it takes place at ADNEC on May 19-22, 2025.
UAE’s key achievements in quality infrastructure
Meanwhile, Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, assistant undersecretary for standards and regulations of MoIAT and chairman of the National Committee for Quality Infrastructure, said that 2024 has been a year of achievements for quality infrastructure. The UAE recently won the presidency of the Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC) for 2025-2027.
The UAE also became part of the Board of Directors of both the Standardization Council and the Accreditation Council. In addition, the country secured its membership in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Council as well as the Board of Directors of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
“The UAE’s commitment to smart and sustainable quality infrastructure supports its position to drive innovation in the region and shape an environment conducive to business and industry growth. Quality infrastructure is a key pillar and catalyst for industrial development. To date, MoIAT has implemented over 27,000 standards and regulations that boost local industries and facilitate trade,” she added.
