Arabian Post Staff -Dubai
The EDGE Group’s Learning & Innovation Factory and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology have formalised a partnership to accelerate the UAE’s industrial evolution. This collaboration, sealed during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, aims to advance the nation’s Industry 4.0 agenda under the Operation 300bn strategy.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Fatma Essa Al Mheiri, Acting Director of the Technology Adoption and Development Department at MoIAT, and Ahmed Al Khoori, EDGE’s Senior Vice President of Strategy & Excellence. The ceremony was attended by Salama Alawadhi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Industrial Development Sector at MoIAT, and Hamad Al Marar, EDGE’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Under this agreement, LIF will serve as the strategic partner and executor of MoIAT’s Transform 4.0 programme. This initiative is designed to promote the adoption of advanced technologies and establish cutting-edge smart manufacturing facilities across the UAE. The programme’s objective is to support 100 high-potential manufacturers in their digitalisation efforts, fostering a network of Industry 4.0 lighthouses that exemplify excellence in smart manufacturing.
This partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader vision to enhance industrial competitiveness through technological innovation. Launched in 2021, Operation 300bn is a comprehensive 10-year strategy aiming to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031. The strategy focuses on creating an attractive business environment for investors, supporting the growth of national industries, and stimulating innovation through the adoption of advanced technologies.
The collaboration between EDGE and MoIAT is not their first joint endeavour. In August 2022, both entities signed an MoU to establish the UAE’s first Industry 4.0 Enablement Centre. This centre focuses on raising awareness about Industry 4.0 technologies, upskilling manufacturers through specialised training, and providing a testbed for piloting innovative solutions. The centre’s initiatives aim to enhance factory processes and operations, empowering industry leaders to leverage Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies for improved efficiency and competitiveness.
The UAE’s commitment to industrial advancement is further demonstrated by the Emirates Development Bank’s role in Operation 300bn. EDB has allocated AED 30 billion to support priority industrial sectors over five years, aiming to finance 13,500 small and medium-sized enterprises and create thousands of job opportunities. This financial support underscores the nation’s dedication to fostering a robust and sustainable industrial ecosystem.
The EDGE Group, a prominent technology conglomerate, continues to play a pivotal role in the UAE’s industrial transformation. By collaborating with MoIAT, EDGE leverages its expertise in advanced technology and innovation to drive the nation’s Industry 4.0 agenda forward. The Learning & Innovation Factory serves as a hub for advanced upskilling and technology-driven solutions, enhancing manufacturing excellence and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The International Defence Exhibition and Conference 2025 provided an ideal platform for this significant partnership. As one of the largest defence exhibitions globally, IDEX showcases the latest innovations and technologies, facilitating collaborations that drive industrial and technological advancements. The signing of the MoU at this event highlights the strategic importance of the defence sector in the UAE’s broader industrial strategy.
The UAE’s industrial strategy, Operation 300bn, is built upon six primary objectives: creating an attractive business environment for investors, supporting the growth of national industries, stimulating innovation through advanced technology adoption, enhancing the competitiveness of UAE products, ensuring sustainable economic growth, and promoting responsible consumption and production. The partnership between EDGE and MoIAT directly contributes to these objectives by facilitating the digital transformation of the manufacturing sector and promoting the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.
