Sultan Al Jaber: The value of our industrial exports in 2025 is 262 billion dirhams, of which 92 billion dirhams are advanced industrial exports.
ABU DHABI, 4th May / WAM / His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, affirmed that the UAE has withstood the challenges witnessed by the region and the world with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” and thanks to the solidarity of the cohesive Emirati community of citizens and residents who stood united behind the leadership and the nation.
He said: As one of the proud sons of the Emirates, I want to highly value the tremendous efforts of our armed forces, which these days celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of their unification, the civil defense teams, the heroes of the front lines, and all the institutions concerned.
This came during his opening speech at the activities of the fifth session of the “Make in the Emirates” platform, which will be held from May 4 to May 7 at the ADNEC Center in Abu Dhabi, and hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, ADNOC, and Al Emad Holding Company, and organized by the ADNEC Group, under the slogan “Advanced Industry: We Emerge Stronger.”
His Excellency touched on the results of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, saying: Through the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” and thanks to the follow-up and supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Head of the Presidential Court, we raised the industrial sector’s contribution to the national economy to 200 billion dirhams, “with a growth of 70%,” and our industrial exports reached 262 billion dirhams, of which 92 billion dirhams are advanced industrial exports. This is not normal growth, but rather a qualitative transformation, and through the “National Content Programme,” we have transformed our spending into investment in our economy, in our factories, in our cadres, and in our future.
Al Jaber announced the increase in the value of procurement opportunities, saying: Thanks to the guidance and support of the wise leadership, and with the blessing of the distinguished Council of Ministers, the value of industrial procurement opportunities will be raised from 168 billion dirhams, to 180 billion dirhams… during the next ten years, and the localization of more than 5,000 products in strategic sectors that enhance economic, food and health security, and enhance business sustainability.
His Excellency explained: With the support and follow-up of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and to contribute to the development of national content, and in preparation for “Made in the Emirates”, we organized yesterday a “Make with ADNOC” forum, to review its projects for the next two years with a value exceeding 200 billion dirhams, and to announce the Local+ initiative, which links engineering, procurement, construction and services contractors with 70 Emirati manufacturers. Qualified, and obliges them to give priority to purchasing products manufactured in the UAE, to enhance the presence of the national industry in ADNOC’s projects and supply chains.
Regarding the flexibility of the UAE and the conditions of the region, His Excellency said that the activities of the “Make in the Emirates” platform today come after an experience that the region went through and whose repercussions affected the world. An experience that the UAE faced, as everyone has always known it, with unwavering determination, firm unity, and a clear, unchanging goal, explaining that history records events and challenges, and also records how countries responded to them, and what they did after them.
He explained that there is a big difference between those who focus on overcoming crises only, and those who consider them to be an opportunity that they seize and turn into a starting point. We in the UAE are not satisfied with just being steadfast, but “we emerge from crises and experiences stronger. We have withstood the attacks and emerged from them stronger and more resilient, our vision is clearer, and we are more confident in our position and our goals.”
He added: We came out with a clearer vision of our future direction, a deeper and clearer evaluation of our partnerships and partners, and with a distinct Emirati model that has proven its success, and proven that everyone in the Emirates is an Emirati, and we have proven to the world, in deed, not in words, who the Emirates is, how it builds, and how it endures, and the Emirates emerged from this experience with lessons learned and solid, priceless facts, the fact that our infrastructure is solid and does not shake, the fact that our true and sincere partnerships are firm and irreversible, and the fact that our principles “Based on reliability, credibility, and flexibility are not just slogans, but rather basic pillars that can be relied upon. There are countries that are affected by crises, and there are countries that exploit crises to learn, adapt, and advance. This experience did not change us, but rather highlighted our resolve. This is the UAE, firm in principle, bold in action, and clear in its direction.”
His Excellency Al Jaber touched on the UAE’s position on closing the Strait of Hormuz, saying: “The strength of countries is measured by the efficiency of their performance and productivity. He who makes owns his decision, whoever builds owns his future, and whoever combines the two guarantees his security and sovereignty. Therefore, we consider industry a sovereign necessity because it gives us flexibility, protects our economy from the fluctuations of global markets, and gives us the ability to withstand when circumstances test us. The lessons are clear: when a vital artery like the Strait of Hormuz is closed, no region alone is affected, but rather shaken.” The entire global economy, supplies are delayed, costs rise, production chains are disrupted, and pressures on economies, especially the least developed, increase, confirming that economic security is not imported, but rather built and protected. Our position on this issue is firm and clear: The Strait must not be held hostage and used for economic threats and blackmail. Freedom of international navigation is not subject to bargaining or negotiation. The legal status of the Strait as an international waterway may not be changed. The stability of markets is a collective responsibility, and any threat to these principles is a threat to the security of the global economy.
Regarding exit from OPEC, His Excellency said: We are now in a new phase in which we are reshaping our position in the global economy with confidence and clarity. The decision to reposition itself in the energy system and to exit OPEC and OPEC+ is not directed against anyone. It is a sovereign and deliberate decision that confirms our confidence in our capabilities and our ambition for a better future. This decision serves our long-term national interests and keeps pace with our industrial, economic and development ambitions, because strength is not in the abundance of resources, but in how Harnessing it to create value and serve the nation, we clearly affirm that the UAE will remain a reliable and responsible partner in global energy markets, and today we have the ability to move at a faster pace and with greater flexibility. This step is not a goal in itself, but rather part of a broader path through which we reshape our economy and industry, through a vision that links energy, technology, and industry, as well as linking our resources to our national priorities, to build a stronger and more flexible economy.”
In his speech, Al Jaber also touched on the path of building the economy of the future, explaining the developments in the path of adopting artificial intelligence. He said: “In line with the government’s direction to apply artificial intelligence agents and models in services and operations, we will begin an unprecedented technical transformation. Artificial intelligence will not be just a tool in our factories, but rather a partner in their decisions, thinking, learning and improving performance continuously. This transformation is not only technical, but reflects an integrated economic model.”
He added: The economies of the future are built on three pillars: energy that operates, technology that thinks, and industry that produces, and the UAE combines these pillars into one integrated system, and this consolidates the country’s position as a major destination for investment and growth. My message to investors and manufacturers is that the UAE is not only an oil-producing country, it provides a global platform for growth, a business environment based on credibility and trust, flexible legislation, disciplined governance, world-class financial services, and an infrastructure. Infrastructure and logistics link the UAE with various parts of the world, and real opportunities for growth and expansion. In the UAE, ideas turn into industries, and investment turns into value.”
His Excellency said: We call on the private industrial sector, the chambers of commerce and industry, and the sovereign investment funds, that today’s stage requires bold decisions, as direct internal investment in the national economy is not an option but a priority, because it is an investment in stability, economic sovereignty, and the future of our generations.
His Excellency concluded his speech by saying: “The equation for success for the next stage is clear. Whoever combines energy, artificial intelligence, and industry will enhance his ability to grow and influence globally, and this system has already begun to take shape here in the UAE. We do not wait for transformations, but rather create them, and we do not keep pace with the future, but rather contribute to shaping it.” He issued an open invitation to construction, investment, and manufacturing in the Emirates and to spread from there to the world.
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