Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, confirmed that the ministry has launched strategic initiatives and programs since its establishment. He stated that these initiatives and programs support the empowerment of the industrial sector in the UAE, enhance the business environment and industrial competitiveness, and strengthen integration and partnerships with major national companies, particularly in priority vital sectors. This has contributed to efforts to achieve national industrial security and self-sufficiency, as well as enhance local supply chains, resulting in an increase in the replacement of industrial imports valued at 9.3 billion dirhams.
In an interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Jaber indicated that the enablers adopted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology represent one of the key components supporting business growth and sustainability, as well as reducing financial burdens and risks on industrial companies, reaching a role in financing that supports innovation and industrial technological transformation. He emphasized that enabling manufacturers to access facilitated financing enhances their business growth and contributes to creating more job opportunities for Emirati citizens in the industrial and technological sectors.
He added, "If we look at the key indicators of the sector and speak in numbers, we will see that the industrial sector's contribution to the national economy increased by 49%. In 2020, prior to the establishment of the ministry, the sector's contribution to GDP was 132 billion dirhams, and today it has reached approximately 197 billion dirhams, with an increase of 65 billion dirhams over 3 years. As for industrial exports, we are talking about a growth of 60%, as the UAE achieved a qualitative leap in its industrial exports last year, reaching approximately 187 billion dirhams compared to 117 billion dirhams in 2020, recording an increase of 70 billion dirhams over 3 years. Industrial productivity also increased by 18% compared to 2020. Regarding the industrial performance index issued by UNIDO, the UAE advanced 7 positions since 2020, reaching 29th globally and 1st regionally."
He continued, "We have launched strategic initiatives and programs to support the empowerment of the industrial sector in the UAE, enhancing the business environment and industrial competitiveness, focusing on two main axes. The first is to enhance and increase the national content in the industrial sector and raise the added value of manufacturing to cover our basic needs and localize supply chains to enhance national security while increasing our economic competitiveness in a way that boosts confidence and demand for Emirati products globally. The second is to provide larger and more valuable opportunities for the industrial sector, whether through investment opportunities or opening global markets and facilitating access to them, as well as attracting foreign investments in advanced manufacturing."
He pointed out that "on this basis, we have launched several key initiatives and programs, such as the 'National Content Program,' through which more than 237 billion dirhams, previously spent outside the UAE, were redirected into the national economy, contributing to enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the sector, and leaving a direct impact on achieving self-sufficiency targets. Additionally, 16,000 Emiratis were employed through the program's companies working in the private sector compared to 6,180 jobs in 2020, with an increase of up to 10,000 new jobs over 3 years."
