Page 300 - 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 - Business - Economy and Finance - Emir…
technological know-how, vocational training, and Emirati employment — reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to achieving self-sufficiency
in priority sectors. Additionally, new offtake agreements worth AED 7.8 billion were signed during the event.
MoIAT alone signed 24 MoUs and cooperation agreements with government entities and private sector entities. These agreements
reflect a shared commitment to enhancing regulatory cooperation and creating a competitive industrial environment, especially with
leading global manufacturers operating in the UAE.

Strategic Projects
Over its four editions, Make it in the Emirates has firmly established the UAE as a global hub for industrial innovation and excellence.
The event highlighted investment opportunities enabled by the UAE’s competitive advantages and incentives, which continue to attract
capital across priority sectors.

This year’s edition announced new industrial projects valued at AED 11 billion.

More than 720 local and international industrial, technological, financial, and service institutions participated in the exhibition,
showcasing the latest solutions to support industrial growth and enhance the sector’s GDP contribution. Exhibitors also presented
breakthrough technologies aimed at advancing industrial and technological capabilities.
The exhibition spanned 12 strategic industrial sectors: Food, Beverage & Agritech; Pharmaceuticals & Medical Tech; Ship & Maritime
Manufacturing; Metals & Fabrication; Handicrafts; Advanced Manufacturing & AI; Chemicals, Plastics & Sustainable Materials;
Hydrogen & Clean Energy; Electric Equipment & Electronics; Machinery & Equipment; Construction & Materials; and Aerospace,
Automotive & Defense industries.

Impactful Financing Solutions
During the fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates, the MoIAT signed a landmark agreement with national banks to provide over AED
40 billion in competitive financing over five years. This initiative will support small, medium, and emerging enterprises and innovative
projects that strengthen the industrial sector and enhance the competitiveness of locally manufactured products.
Additionally, Emirates Development Bank launched the Emirates Growth Fund — an AED 1 billion investment platform supporting
SMEs in strategic sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, food security, and advanced technology.

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.

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