The event welcomed more than 122,000 visitors — a 20-fold increase over its previous edition — and drew participation from over 720 local and international industrial, financial, and technology entities.
The fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates, the UAE’s flagship industrial platform, wrapped up this week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, marking a milestone for the country’s ambitious drive to become a global industrial and technological hub. Spanning four packed days under the theme “Advanced Industries. Accelerated,” the event welcomed more than 122,000 visitors — a 20-fold increase over its previous edition — and drew participation from over 720 local and international industrial, financial, and technology entities.
Hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and organised by Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company Group (ADNEC), the platform was backed by strategic partners including the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and ADNOC. Across 68,000 square metres of exhibition space, participants showcased innovations ranging from AI-driven manufacturing to clean energy, advanced machinery, and Emirati heritage crafts.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, credited the UAE’s leadership for enabling a “true transformation” in the nation’s industrial landscape. “The world is entering a new industrial era,” he said, “and the UAE is well-positioned at its forefront — driven by ideas, technology, and agility.” Al Jaber emphasised the strategic value of manufacturing to GDP growth, export capability, job creation, and national resilience, adding that every dirham invested in the sector delivers a “multiplier effect.”
The event offered a thematic structure across its four days, reflecting the sector’s expanding ambitions. Sessions focused on the UAE’s manufacturing vision, national value creation, Industry 4.0, and the role of youth and exports in shaping future industries. Discussions featured ministers, global executives, technology leaders, and young Emirati entrepreneurs — all contributing to a diverse industrial dialogue.
Notably, more than 187 agreements and MoUs were signed during the event, worth billions in localised procurement, knowledge transfer, and Emirati employment. MoIAT alone inked 24 cooperation deals, and new offtake contracts valued at AED 7.8 billion were announced. Meanwhile, industrial project announcements topped AED 11 billion, underlining the country’s appeal as an investment destination.
A major highlight was the AED 40 billion financing pledge over five years from national banks to support industrial SMEs and startups. In parallel, Emirates Development Bank launched the AED 1 billion Emirates Growth Fund to further stimulate innovation in key sectors.
The platform also celebrated the third Make it in the Emirates Awards and recognised contributors to the National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme, which now covers 4,800 products and has generated AED 347 billion in local spending since launch. This year’s ICV-related procurement rose to AED 168 billion, and new contracts worth AED 1.3 billion were signed during the exhibition.
In a first, the Ministry of Culture curated a pavilion for traditional Emirati crafts, drawing participation from 216 artisans and giving heritage industries an economic boost through e-commerce and export exposure. The event also served as a platform for the Made in the Arab World – UAE Edition, a youth-led initiative promoting industrial startups across the region.
One of the showpieces of the event was the “Industrialists” Career Fair, which attracted over 3,000 young Emiratis. More than 10,000 interviews were conducted — including AI-assisted screenings — resulting in 2,500 new job placements. More than 22,000 UAE nationals have now entered the industrial workforce since the ICV Programme began.
Looking ahead, Dr Al Jaber announced that preparations are already under way for the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates, set for May 2026. “This platform is a gateway,” he said, “to a globally competitive, knowledge-based industrial base — one that empowers talent, fosters innovation, and reinforces the UAE’s standing as a future-shaping industrial nation.”
