ABU DHABI, 1st June, 2023 (WAM) -- More than AED100 billion has been redirected to the local economy since the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and ADNOC launched major in-country value programmes to support domestic industries.
Speaking at the 'Make in the Emirates Forum' today, Abdulla Al Shamsi, Assistant Under-Secretary of MoIAT, said more than AED53 billion of investment was redirected to the local economy last year alone, an increase of 25 percent year-on-year.
He noted that the National ICV Programme began with three entities but has now grown to include 26. “The National In-Country Value Programme is a nationwide programme that speaks one language across many different sectors. It is one methodology and this is something we’re very proud of because it benefits the private sector and when the private sector sees this it helps them prepare, invest, and spend.”
The programme’s achievement builds on ADNOC’s in-country value programme, which MoIAT took nationwide in 2021. According to Dr. Saleh Al Hashmi, Director of Commercial & ICV at ADNOC, at least AED 145 billion has been diverted to local industries since 2018. Additionally, ADNOC's procurement from local manufacturers has tripled compared to last year, he added.
The ICV programme is “functionating well and accelerating”, he said, noting that ADNOC plans to provide another 5,000 jobs through the program in the coming years, building on the 5,000 already created.
The duo joined a panel which also heard from Ahmed Rahma Al Masaood, Vice Chairman of Al Masaood Energy, and Arafat Al Yafei, Executive Director, Industrial Development Bureau.
To boost the competitiveness of locally made goods, Arafat Al Yafei revealed plans to focus on enhancing the quality, cost and processing procedures for UAE-made products.
He said the Industrial Development Bureau signed 10 memoranda of understanding with financial institutions on 31st May to ensure banks support the industrial sector. The Bureau is also working with MoIAT to drive manufacturing towards Industry 4.0 and digitisation to enhance productivity, improve traceability and reduce operational costs.
“The objective is to really ensure that our products are very competitive, not only in the local arena but on the global level, to achieve [Abu Dhabi’s] 143 percent target of increasing non-oil exports,” Al Yafei added. He also noted that the National ICV Programme is an important factor in attracting investment.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Rahma Al Masaood, Vice Chairman of Al Masaood Energy, said Emiratisation remained a “key component” of the National ICV Programme, describing how the programme enables local talents in the private sector.
“The current leadership under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with his fellow Rulers of the Emirates, continues to prioritise investment in Emiratis and the development of their skills through education and by providing them endless opportunities," he stated.