Abu Dhabi: The third edition of the Make It in the Emirates Forum, organized by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and ADNOC Group, will commence on Monday at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre.

The forum will be hosted from 27th to 28th May under the theme “Invest. Innovate. Grow.”, featuring both local and international attendees, including senior government decision-makers and officials, as well as CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, industrialists, experts, innovators, and representatives of financial institutions.

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This edition of the forum builds on the success of the previous two, which generated AED 121 billion worth of local procurement opportunities in sectors of high priority such as pharmaceuticals, energy, telecommunications, space, healthcare, and food and beverages. These opportunities include 1,400 products available for local manufacturing, aimed at enhancing industrial resilience and self-sufficiency by supporting import substitutions.

The Make it in the Emirates initiative is in line with the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, promoting national economic diversification. In the last two editions, over 100 agreements were signed for investments in energy, defense, aviation, pharmaceuticals, space, and other crucial sectors.

Along with presenting new investment and local procurement opportunities under the National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme, the upcoming forum will discuss trends in innovation and AI.

The agenda will allow stakeholders to uncover more growth and competitive opportunities, reinforcing the UAE’s position as a prime place for industry and advanced technologies. The forum will also focus on developing Emirati talents to encourage the sustainability of local labor markets.

The forum will consist of a series of panel discussions. The first day will comprise of sessions focusing on the UAE’s industrial strategy, Operation 300bn, as well as AI integration in industry and opportunities related to the National ICV Programme. The first day will also feature the Make it in the Emirates Awards ceremony, in honour of the companies and individuals building the future of industry.

Sessions on the second day will focus on the UAE’s aima to attract investments in the space sector and how green technology can be used to decarbonize industry. There will also be sessions on sustainable manufacturing and the merging of industries to advance smart mobility. A special session on inspiring youth to participate in the industry, arranged by MoIAT’s Youth Council, aims to prepare a new generation of people, entrepreneurs, and talented persons to drive the sector forward. Several breakout sessions will take place simultaneously.

As one of the most prominent industrial platforms in the UAE and the region, the annual event showcases progress in the development of advanced industries, the utilization of clean energy, the growth of food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, the boost in technological investments, and the accelerating digital transformation. The forum also emphasizes on future trends influencing the industrial sector, exploring growth opportunities, forming partnerships and investments, exchanging expertise, and exploring solutions to increase the competitiveness of industrial companies. Moreover, it showcases the competitive advantages, incentives, and enablers issued by the ministry and its strategic partners.

New partnerships worth billions of dirhams will be announced during the forum. Attendees will discover the major economic and social impact of the first and second editions of the forum. They will also have the chance to tour an additional exhibition, featuring significant industrial opportunities and locally manufactured products with participation from 44 major industrial companies.

The Make it in the Emirates Forum is a hub for industrial advancement and investment in the UAE. It offers several investment opportunities promoted by a business-friendly environment, including advanced legislative frameworks and laws, and competitive advantages made to attract local and foreign industrial investments.

The forum re-establishes MoIAT’s commitment to empowering national and international industrial companies. Apart from supporting national resilience and self-sufficiency amid global challenges, the forum aids in closing supply gaps through enhanced local industry capabilities. It also offers a platform for Emirati youth, entrepreneurs, and startups to display their products, capabilities, and success stories.