Page 88 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/21/25, 3:56 PM New heritage sector takes spotlight at Make it in the Emirates – The Gulf Time Newspaper

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New heritage sector takes spotlight at Make it in
the Emirates

ABU DHABI/ WAM

For the first time, Make it in the Emirates features a dedicated handcrafts sector, celebrating the UAE’s
artisanal heritage and its role in the creative economy.
Around 50 craftspeople and heritage-based businesses are participating daily with workshops, cultural talks
and live demonstrations.
Organised by ADNEC Group and hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in
partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office and ADNOC, the fourth and largest
edition of Make it in the Emirates is being held from 19th to 22nd May at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi. The
event brings together industry leaders, investors and policymakers in a global hub for innovation and
advanced manufacturing.
The Ministry of Culture signed a series of memoranda of understanding with national partners to establish a
unified National Registry for Craftspeople. These agreements aim to promote local crafts, encourage artisan
registration, provide accurate data and market insights, and foster a supportive ecosystem for sustainable
growth.
The agreements involved entities including the General Women’s Union, Al Ghadeer Emirati Crafts under
the Emirates Red Crescent, Ghars Centre for Social Empowerment under Fujairah Charity Association, and
the Department of Antiquities and Museums – Ras Al Khaimah.
Al Ghadeer Emirati Crafts, a non-profit that trains women in handcrafting using techniques like Talli, Khous,
Sadu and pottery, is among the exhibitors. The organisation has trained over 470 women, transforming
traditional crafts into contemporary products such as handbags and home décor. Their work has been
showcased at international exhibitions in the UK, Italy, China and beyond.
Also exhibiting is Khunair, the heritage brand of Beit Al Khunair, which produces handcrafted Emirati
daggers, coffee pots and ceremonial artefacts using traditional methods passed down through generations.
The brand seeks to revitalise interest in heritage crafts and position them as valuable, commercially viable
products.
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority is also participating to raise awareness about the value of traditional crafts
and their relevance in modern life. Their exhibit highlights how techniques like palm weaving vary by region
and family, reflecting the diversity within Emirati heritage. By incorporating traditional patterns into modern

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