Page 274 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/27/25, 8:27 AM 'Make it in the Emirates' concludes with new industrial projects valued over AED11 billion | Emirates News Agency
Winners of the third Make it in the Emirates Startup Pitch Competition were also honored. The competition

received more than 200 applications from over 30 countries, with 43% submitted by international startups

— a testament to the growing interest both locally and globally.
For the first time, the platform featured a dedicated pavilion for Emirati crafts and heritage industries,

organized by the Ministry of Culture as part of the Year of the Community. The pavilion hosted live

demonstrations of 40 traditional crafts across 10 zones, with participation from 216 Emirati artisans. Their
involvement this year enabled them to expand their presence on e-commerce platforms and bring their

products to global markets — turning heritage into economic opportunity.

National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme

The 2025 edition recorded a rise in industrial procurement under the National ICV Program, reaching AED

168 billion — up from AED143 billion in the previous edition. The program now covers 4,800 locally
manufacturable products. This year, new procurement agreements worth AED 1.3 billion were signed.

On Day 2, MoIAT signed MoUs with entities including Emaar, Silal, Calidus, and Modon Holding to join the

National ICV Program. This brings the total number of participating companies and entities to 35.
Launched under the UAE’s Projects of the 50, the program channels procurement by government and

major national companies into the local economy, stimulating industrial and service sectors. By the end of

2024, cumulative local spending under the program reached AED 347 billion.

On the sidelines of the event, the ministry launched the Global Startup Exchange Program, connecting
UAE and international startups to new markets, incubators, and investors. The first pilot, developed in

collaboration with Japan, sets the stage for broader international expansion — opening new pathways for

growth-stage, technology-focused startups.

ADNOC reaffirmed its support for the platform through an ambitious five-year plan to channel up to AED
200 billion into the national economy. This includes purchasing locally manufacturable products valued at

up to AED 90 billion by 2030 — further strengthening the UAE’s industrial base and reinforcing supply

chain resilience.
The “Industrialists” Career Fair, jointly organized by MoIAT, the Ministry of Human Resources and

Emiratization, and the Nafis Program, took place over three days. It aimed to expand private sector

opportunities for Emiratis and highlight career paths within the industrial sector.

More than 3,000 young Emiratis attended the fair, participating in over 10,000 on-the-spot interviews —

including AI-assisted screening — with more than 95 companies. These companies offered 1,200 job
opportunities alongside extensive training and upskilling programs.

MoIAT and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office also announced a strategic partnership to support the

Industrialists Program, intending to deepen Emirati participation in the industrial workforce.

https://www.wam.ae/en/article/bjswsmn-make-the-emirates-concludes-with-new-industrial 5/7