Page 96 - MINISTRY OF CULTURE PR REPORT - MAY 2025 (ENGLISH)

5/21/25, 3:58 PM New heritage sector takes spotlight at Make it in the Emirates

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ABU DHABI, 20th May, 2025 (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.

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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.

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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

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