More than AED100 billion ($27 billion) has been redirected to the economy since the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Adnoc launched major in-country value programmes to back indigenous industries.

 

Speaking at the Make in the Emirates Forum, Abdulla Al Shamsi, Assistant Undersecretary of MoIAT, said more than AED53 billion of investment was redirected to the local economy last year alone, an increase of 25% year-on-year. He noted that the National ICV Programme began with three entities but has now grown to include 26.

 

“The National In-Country Value Programme is a nationwide programme that speaks one language across many different sectors,” he said. “It’s one methodology and this is something we’re very proud of because it benefits the private sector and when the private sector sees this it helps them prepare, invest, and spend.”

 

Local industries

The programme’s achievement builds on Adnoc’s in-country value programme, which MoIAT took nationwide in 2021. According to Dr Saleh Al Hashmi, Director of Commercial & ICV at Adnoc, at least AED145 billion has been diverted to local industries since 2018. Additionally, Adnoc's procurement from local manufacturers has tripled compared to last year, he added.

 

The ICV programme is “functionating well and accelerating”, he said, noting that Adnoc plans to provide another 5,000 jobs through the programme in the coming years, building on the 5,000 already created.

 

The duo joined a panel which also heard from Ahmed Rahma Al Masaood, Vice Chairman of Al Masaood Energy, and Eng Arafat Al Yafei, Executive Director, Industrial Development Bureau.

 

To boost the competitiveness of locally made goods, Al Yafei revealed plans to focus on enhancing the quality, cost and processing procedures for UAE-made products.

 

10 MoUs

He said the Industrial Development Bureau signed 10 memoranda of understanding with financial institutions on May 31 to ensure banks support the industrial sector. The Bureau is also working with MoIAT to drive manufacturing towards Industry 4.0 and digitisation to enhance productivity, improve traceability and reduce operational costs.  

 

“The objective is to really ensure that our products are very competitive, not only in the local arena but on the global level, to achieve [Abu Dhabi’s] 143% target of increasing non-oil exports,” Al Yafei added.

 

He also noted that the National ICV Programme is an important factor in attracting investment.

 

Meanwhile, Ahmed Rahma Al Masaood, Vice Chairman of Al Masaood Energy, said Emiratisation remained a “key component” of the National ICV Programme, describing how the programme enables local talents in the private sector.

 

Prioritising investment

“The current leadership under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with his fellow rulers of the Emirates, continues to prioritise investment in Emiratis and the development of their skills through education and by providing them endless opportunities.”

 

The second edition is jointly organised by MoIAT in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and Adnoc.

 

The forum has numerous corporate sponsors, including Diamond Sponsors such as Mubadala Investment Company, Emirates Steel Arkan, and Emirates Development Bank (EDB), as well as Gold Sponsors such as Aldar, Tawazun Council, KEZAD Group, Agthia, Edge, and PureHealth.

 

The event’s Silver Sponsors include First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Dubai Investments, Al Masaood Energy, Emirates Global Aluminum, and Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), while the Bronze Sponsors are Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI), Dubai Industrial City, Electro Mechanical Company, Mashreq Bank, Baker Hughes, National Oilwell Varco (NOV), Control Contracting and Trading (CCTC), Weatherford International, and Schlumberger.-- TradeArabia News Service