E-Paper
Sign In
'Make it in Emirates': 2,000 essential products to be manufactured locally, minister says
The UAE’s premier manufacturing event will take place from May 19 to 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
- PUBLISHED: Thu 8 May 2025, 4:27 PM
A strategic initiative to identify 2,000 essential products currently imported into the UAE aims to transform these items into locally manufactured goods, bolstering the nation's economy and achieving self-sufficiency. This was announced by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, during his keynote at the fourth edition of the "Make It in the Emirates" platform press conference.
By identifying these 2,000 essential imported products, the UAE is opening the door for entrepreneurs and investors to step forward and manufacture them locally. Al Jaber explained that this move not only supports self-sufficiency but also creates a clear roadmap for businesses to tap into priority sectors with strong domestic demand.
Recommended For You
“This is where the role of the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ platform becomes crucial,” he added. “It allows us to spotlight local manufacturers, promote national products, and create a thriving environment for industrial investment and innovation.” In October, Khaleej Times reported that the platform will showcase more than 5,000 locally produced products. The forum will also feature crafts and textiles, aiming to expand national industry across various sectors.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
As the UAE’s premier manufacturing event, Make it in the Emirates 2025 will take place from May 19 to 22 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). The four-day forum unites innovators, investors, and policymakers to shape the future of industry across 12 key sectors.
Al Jaber described the platform as "more than just a platform or event. More than a catalyst for an initiative. It is a comprehensive, diverse, and inclusive economic program whose goal is sustainable economic development in the country."
During the press conference, Al Jaber highlighted the UAE's achievements, noting that the country's foreign trade volume reached more than Dh5 trillion in 2024, with a trade surplus exceeding Dh490 billion. He emphasised the importance of sustaining supply chains, particularly in vital industries such as medicine, food, chemical products, plastics, electrical equipment, space technology, and building materials.
He also acknowledged the global challenges impacting supply chains, including policy shifts, trade regulations, and customs tariffs. He emphasised the UAE's adaptability, stating, "We are distinguished by our flexibility, our ability to adapt to changes, and our ability to continue using tools within the economic sphere."
Global challenges
Al Jaber also addressed the broader global context, noting how shifting trade policies, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions have placed pressure on international supply chains.
“These global challenges present an opportunity for countries like the UAE,” the minister said. “Even changes in oil prices which are traditionally seen as a risk, can be transformed into opportunities.”
The minister reiterated the UAE’s many advantages as an industrial and investment hub, including its geographic positioning, world-class logistics infrastructure, and forward-thinking governance.
“Our strategic location, low customs duties, modern infrastructure, and stable financial system all make the UAE an ideal destination for global manufacturers and investors,” Al Jaber explained. “We are a bridge between East and West, North and South and we are using that position to our advantage.”
He also highlighted the UAE’s partnerships with other countries, stating, “Nations that form comprehensive partnerships with us benefit from our open market policies, advanced infrastructure, and regulatory clarity, enabling them to produce and re-export more efficiently.”
Al Jaber concluded by reinforcing the UAE’s vision for an inclusive and open economy: “We are committed to fair, transparent trade and continue to build bridges of cooperation across the globe. Our industrial achievements are based on actual results, not ambitions.”
Waad Barakat is a Special Correspondent covering security topics, from law enforcement to local courts. With a keen eye for human interest stories, she hopes to blend it all with unique Gen Z-inspired content.
