Make it in the Emirates takes off with top decision-makers

Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, attended the opening of the fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates, taking place until May 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre under the theme “Advanced Industries. Accelerated.” The event is hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company Group, and held alongside strategic partners the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Adnoc Group.

The fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates is drawing broad local and international participation, bringing together top decision-makers from both the public and private sectors, as well as entrepreneurs, investors, industrialists, experts, innovators, and financial institutions. More than 700 companies are showcasing their innovative products at Make it in the Emirates 2025.

The fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates spans 68,000 square meters of exhibition space and anticipating over 30,000 visitors.

The event plays a pivotal role in empowering the industrial sector, accelerating technological transformation, and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global hub for industry and investment. It also contributes to the UAE’s comprehensive economic development in line with the goals of National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology.

Make it in the Emirates serves as a platform to facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange, foster partnerships, enhance self-sufficiency, localize supply chains, and strengthen industrial resilience. It empowers Emirati talent in the industrial sector by introducing them to key opportunities in industry and advanced technology, while also supporting startups and driving the growth and competitiveness of the UAE industries, particularly through advanced technology, Industry 4.0 solutions, and AI applications.

Solid Industrial Base In his opening address at the event, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “Today, we meet amidst rapid economic and geopolitical transformations, which have brought forth unprecedented opportunities across various sectors and fields. Thanks to the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE — may God protect him — and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai — may God protect him — and under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE has laid firm foundations for a robust industrial sector that contributes to economic diversification. This nation has proven its resilience and ability to adapt to change.” Dr Sultan added: “Industry plays a vital role in creating added economic value, improving productivity, generating employment opportunities, building advanced and resilient infrastructure, developing an export-oriented production base, and boosting the GDP. Countries with a strong industrial foundation enjoy sustainable economic growth, ensure a prosperous and bright future, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of societies. Investing in manufacturing is investing in an advanced economy. Every investment in this sector creates a multiplier effect by stimulating the growth of related sectors.

“Amid the shift toward advanced industries that rely heavily on cutting-edge technologies in production processes such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced materials, the world is now witnessing the dawn of a new industrial era — one led by ideas, accelerated by technology, and shaped by agility and adaptability to evolving changes. Guided by the vision of our leadership, innovation, determination, and perseverance form the foundation of our progress, while flexibility, agility and productivity define our approach. We launched the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP, support national products, enhance supply chains, and accelerate the adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, and artificial intelligence.

“In the UAE, we don’t see AI as merely a tool or a new technology — we recognize it as a fully-fledged economic sector. Globally, AI revenues are expected to exceed $1.5 trillion by 2040. As witnessed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the UAE last week, the first phase of the UAE-US AI data centre was launched in Abu Dhabi and it is set to become the largest AI campus outside the United States.

“I take this opportunity to congratulate our leadership, His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and to all those involved in such strategic projects that strengthens the UAE’s position in AI and the new economy.

“To support this direction toward adopting advanced technology and AI, the MoIAT launched the Technology Transformation programme and the Industrial Technology Transformation Index, which have supported over 500 factories with financing facilities worth Dhs 4.6 billion. We also focus on enabling future industries — including renewable energy technologies, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), space, semiconductors, smart chips, AI data centre components, energy storage batteries, autonomous equipment, and advanced construction materials.