Page 296 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/27/25, 8:29 AM ‘Make it in the Emirates’ concludes with new industrial projects valued over AED11 billion – UAE Business and Travel Insights – Tot…
On opening day, MoIAT recognized the winners of the third Make it in the Emirates Awards. This year’s nine award categories spanned five
pillars: Factory of the Future, In-Country Value, Industry Enablers and Strategic Partners, Leadership and Talent, and UAE Traditional Crafts
for Individual and Companies. For the first time, an Emirati Handicrafts Award was introduced to honor individuals and companies in this
sector.

The ministry also marked National ICV Day by celebrating the contributions of companies and individuals supporting the National In-
Country Value Program, recognizing their role in driving local competitiveness, productivity, and supply chain sustainability.
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.

Thanks to the National ICV Program, the industrial sector created over 22,000 jobs for UAE nationals by the end of 2024. The Industrialists
Career Fair alone helped place 2,500 Emiratis in private sector roles.

Young Emiratis actively participated throughout the fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates, presenting breakthrough ideas, SME projects,
and AI-powered technologies to support industrial transformation. Youth-led exhibitions highlighted the intersection of entrepreneurship,
national development, and smart manufacturing.

The event also saw the announcement of Made in the Arab World – UAE Edition, part of the seventh cycle of the Youth Solutions initiative
by the Arab Youth Center. The initiative promotes youth-led industrial startups, scalable innovation, and sustainable development across the
Arab region.

Throughout the platform, young entrepreneurs shared experiences and advice — inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders and
building momentum for the UAE’s startup ecosystem.

Success Partners
A wide range of partners supported this year’s edition:
-Investment Partners: IHC, Mubadala
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