Page 324 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/27/25, 8:30 AM Make It In The Emirates Concludes With New Industrial Projects Valued Over AED 11 Billion | Pakistan Point
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
-Sector Enabling Partner: Tawazun Council

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