Make It In The Emirates 2026 Day 1: UAE Launches AED180 Billion Industrial Procurement Drive; Officials Cite Gains From Industrial Sovereignty Push
H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, announced the launch of AED180 billion in industrial procurement opportunities aiming to localize over 5,000 products across sectors tied to economic, food and healthcare security.
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Make it in the Emirates 2026 opened on Monday, with UAE officials and business leaders saying long-term investment in industrial sovereignty is delivering measurable gains in economic resilience and national security despite ongoing global disruption.
On the first day, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, announced the launch of AED180 billion in industrial procurement opportunities aiming to localize over 5,000 products across sectors tied to economic, food and healthcare security.
“We do not wait for transformation; we drive it. We do not simply adapt to the future; we help shape it,” H.E. Al Jaber said.
H.E. Al Jaber added that the industrial sector’s contribution has reached AED200 billion, a 70% increase since 2021; while industrial exports climbed to AED262 billion, including AED92 billion in advanced industrial exports.
He cited the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program as a key driver to this progress, adding that procurement opportunities will increase from AED168 billion to AED180 billion over the next decade.
Al Jaber also said the UAE is reshaping its role in the global energy landscape, describing its decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+ as a strategic move aligned with national interests.
“The UAE’s sovereign decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+ is not directed against anyone, any country, or institution, or partner. It reflects where the UAE is today, and where it is going,” His Excellency said. “It is a carefully considered strategic decision that reflects our capabilities, the diversification of our economy and our ambitions for the future. UAE will remain a reliable and responsible global energy partner following its OPEC and OPEC+ exit.”
High-level discussions on energy, security, trade and investment were also held during the first day, with officials outlining how the UAE’s push for self-reliance is translating into stronger supply chains, growing exports, and wider global influence.
H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, also addressed the UAE’s departure from OPEC and OPEC+, saying the country would continue contributing to global market stability despite operating outside the bloc.
“The UAE has always acted as a responsible producer,” he said. “As an independent producer, we hope to enable growth and contribute to global stability between supply and demand.”
Meanwhile, H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, UAE Presidential Advisor and Chairman of EDGE Group, emphasized that UAE-made technology played a key role in countering attacks from Iran.
“Eighty-five percent of these drones were tackled with jammers developed and produced in the UAE,” he said, adding that foreign orders for UAE defense products have grown from 2% to 70% of total output since EDGE was established.
Trade was also highlighted as a key marker of resilience, as Minister of Foreign Trade H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi said non-oil foreign trade surpassed US$1 trillion in 2025, rising 27% year-on-year, with the UAE now connected to more than 250 ports globally.
In a fireside chat, H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports and Chairman of the Emirates Growth Fund, said the UAE’s ability to remain operational through crises continues to strengthen investor confidence.
The role of family businesses was also discussed, with H.E. Mohamed Al Abbar, Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties, crediting national leadership for helping the country navigate disruption. H.E. Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, Chairman of Abdulla Al Ghurair Group, urged businesses to endure downturns, saying, “Don’t sell, be patient.”
Closing the Vision Stage, H.E. Badr Jafar, Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy, said sovereignty should be measured through essential supply chains, including food, medicine and technology.
The day concluded with remarks from Senator Ahmed Abou Hashima, head of the Egyptian Senate Committee on Financial, Economic and Investment Affairs, who cited the UAE’s growing role as a regional manufacturing base.
Make it in the Emirates 2026 opened on Monday, with UAE officials and business leaders saying long-term investment in industrial sovereignty is delivering measurable gains in economic resilience and national security despite ongoing global disruption.
On the first day, H.E. Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, announced the launch of AED180 billion in industrial procurement opportunities aiming to localize over 5,000 products across sectors tied to economic, food and healthcare security.
“We do not wait for transformation; we drive it. We do not simply adapt to the future; we help shape it,” H.E. Al Jaber said.
Entrepreneur Middle East Staff
Entrepreneur Staff
