ABU DHABI: The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has successfully overseen a historic rise in industrial exports from the UAE to foreign markets, which amounted to approximately Dhs120 billion ($32.6 billion) in 2021. This coincided with a major surge in factories commencing production in 2021, with 220 new facilities going into service. Also, the National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme, launched to redirect spending by public entities and major companies under its umbrella to the UAE economy, has succeeded in circulating Dhs41.4 billion ($11.5 billion) back into the local market, further promoting local companies.

Collectively, these factors have helped the UAE achieve a quantum leap in the Competitive Industrial Performance Index issued annually by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), rising five places globally from 35th to 30th in 2021.

MoIAT has been responsible for implementing the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology since its launch by the UAE government in Q1 2021. The results confirm major advances in the national industrial sector, especially in terms of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. This has been attained through accelerating its transformation by integrating advanced technologies and providing financial incentives and solutions through the Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the strategy’s financial enabler, alongside other facilities and initiatives.

Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “In line with the leadership’s directives, MoIAT has achieved several outstanding results within one year of its establishment, which supported the growth of the UAE’s industrial sector by contributing to its capabilities, competitiveness, and attractiveness.” Dr Al Jaber added that the results observed in 2021 reflect the UAE industrial sector’s quantum leap in exports, which totaled around Dhs120 billion - a historic milestone for the industrial sector. This overlapped with the UAE advancing five ranks globally in UNIDO’s 2021 Competitive Industrial Performance Index.

Dr. Al Jaber continued, “The UAE industrial sector witnessed a surge in its number of factories, with 220 new factories licensed in 2021. Moreover, 45 public entities and 13 major national institutions and companies joined the National ICV Programme. In addition to redirecting more than Dhs41 billion into the national economy during 2021, it also aided responding to the increasing demand for efficient and competitive supply chains, the creation of 1,000 high-quality job opportunities for nationals, and the establishment of training programmes to upskill Emiratis. Furthermore, 300 new suppliers obtained the ICV certificate, bringing the total number of certified companies to 5,300.’’ “We announced EDB’s strategy, the financial enabler of MoIAT’s strategy. A competitive financing initiative worth Dhs10 billion ($2.7 billion) was also launched for priority sectors, Dhs5 billion of which is to help deploy advanced technology in the industrial sector, and another Dhs5 billion ($1.36 billion) to support the UAE’s projects in priority sectors,” he added.

For her part, Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, said, “2021 witnessed a number of major initiatives and projects which aim to stimulate innovation in the industrial sector and accelerate the adoption of advanced technology, including the UAE Industry 4.0 programme and the advanced technology financing programme launched in partnership with the Emirates Development Bank.

“The ministry also signed and activated 12 MoUs with leading local and international companies to establish the Champions 4.0 Network and three MoUs with the economic departments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman to support the adoption of 4IR technologies,” she added. “In addition, we entered into a strategic partnership with Siemens to support the digital transformation of the industrial sector, and signed an MoU with Spain to enhance cooperation in science and technology.” Al Amiri noted that the past year also witnessed a number of decisions supporting the performance of the UAE’s industrial sector, such as the establishment of the Emirates Research and Development Council and the launch of the second session of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academy of Scientists.

“As part of the UAE Industry 4.0 programme, the first edition of the Leaders 4.0 initiative was also developed in cooperation with the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, with the aim of training 100 CEOs and leaders from the industrial sector by 2022. The first cohort included 30 participants from the industrial sector,” she added.

National In-Country Value Programme The National In-Country Value Programme was announced as part of “Projects of the 50” and aims to contribute to the growth of national industries and enhance their competitiveness. To coordinate these efforts, a national committee for the management and governance of the programme was formed, and the programme began to apply to federal government procurements in December 2021.

Industries of the Future Technological solutions and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications were a key focus for the Ministry in 2021. The Fourth Industrial Revolution Programme (UAE Industry 4.0), the region’s first integrated programme to support manufacturers in the adoption of 4IR technologies, was launched, and was accompanied by initiatives such as the Smart Industry Readiness Index, the Champions 4.0 Network of 12 national and international companies, and the Leadership 4.0 initiative, which will train more than 100 CEOs and leaders in the industrial sector.

The Ministry signed memoranda of understanding with a number of international companies to promote the deployment of advanced technology, as well as with the governments of Spain, France and Israel.

The Ministry has sought to improve the national R&D ecosystem. In September 2021, the Cabinet approved the research and development governance policy, while the Emirates Research and Development Council was also established, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

In partnership with the Emirates Development Bank, the Ministry launched an Dhs5 billion financing programme for the next five years, to support projects aimed at accelerating advanced technology adoption. During 2021, Dhs248 million ($67.5 million) was granted to finance such projects.

WAM