The UAE’s industrial sector plays a key role in strengthening the country’s competitiveness, attracting GCC investment and enabling partnerships, said Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Managing Director and Group CEO of Adnoc, at the inaugural edition of Made in GCC 2026 expo held in Bahrain.
The emirate’s industrial exports hit AED260 billion ($71 billion) in 2025, including AED92 billion in medium- and high-technology exports, stated Al Jaber.
The National In-Country Value (ICV) Program has also redirected more than AED 473 billion into the UAE economy since its launch. This supports the growth of local companies, strengthens supply chain resilience, and reinforces the UAE’s position as a GCC and global manufacturing hub, with benefits for investment and opportunities for further expansion, he added.
The UAE was out in full force at the four-day event held at Exhibition World Bahrain under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The debut Made in GCC 2026 expo saw 23 of UAE's leading companies showcasing their industrial and technological capabilities and forging new partnerships in the GCC industrial ecosystem with focus on advanced manufacturing.
The Emirati delegation, represented by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, concluded its participation in the 57th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the 12th meeting of the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
GCC industrial integration boost
The Kingdom of Bahrain hosted these meetings, which formed part of the UAE’s efforts to strengthen GCC industrial integration, build supply chains, improve the competitiveness of Gulf industries, and support the use of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in industry.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, visited the UAE pavilion, where he viewed national industrial products and capabilities that reflect the growth, diversity and technological advancement of the UAE’s industrial sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Al Jaber said that, in line with the directives of the UAE’s leadership, the country is committed to strengthening relations with GCC countries and supporting GCC industrial integration.
The aim is to build more interconnected and resilient supply chains and improve product quality and competitiveness.
These efforts support the GCC’s position on the global advanced manufacturing map and the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions and artificial intelligence across industries, particularly as the global industrial sector transforms.
The UAE’s participation in the GCC ministerial committee meetings reflects a national approach that strengthens integration and co-operation and turns them into investment opportunities that support growth and expansion, stated Al Jaber.
Forging new partnerships
Made in GCC 2026 gave more than 23 UAE companies the opportunity to showcase their industrial and technological capabilities, form new partnerships in the GCC industrial ecosystem, he added.
Al Jaber said the UAE national industrial companies stand out for their technological capabilities and are supported by the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the Make it in the Emirates platform.
That support includes enablers, incentives, financial solutions and a supportive business environment, and positions the UAE as a regional and global hub for advanced technology industries.
He invited GCC industrial companies to take part in the sixth edition of Make it in the Emirates, which runs from May 3 to 6, 2027 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
He highlighted opportunities for GCC companies to secure deals and partnerships, exchange expertise, and benefit from the industrial opportunities the UAE offers investors, entrepreneurs and innovators.
Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Undersecretary of the Ministry, and senior Ministry officials took part in the GCC ministerial committee meetings and the inaugural Made in GCC Forum & Exhibition 2026.
More than 23 UAE companies from a range of industrial and technology sectors took part in the exhibition, and three were honored with the GCC Industrial Excellence Award.
Supply chain resilience
The UAE’s participation in the GCC meetings and exhibition formed part of the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen GCC industrial integration and supply chain resilience, and to support the role of advanced technology and artificial intelligence in making Gulf industry more competitive regionally and globally.
UAE and GCC entities announced several partnership agreements and memoranda of understanding at the forum. These included a UAE-Saudi partnership between Enercap by Apex Energy in the UAE and Al Sharif Group in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership aims to expand energy storage and management solutions in Saudi Arabia, supporting energy applications across power grids, commercial and industrial sectors, data centers, the residential sector and electric vehicle charging stations.
