The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai reviewed the measures during a Cabinet meeting that also examined preparations for the fifth Make it in the Emirates platform, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi from 4 to 7 May 2026. The decisions mark a sharper policy shift towards strategic self-sufficiency at a time when global trade routes, logistics networks and energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical and commercial disruption.
The new fund will be directed towards priority sectors considered vital to economic security, including food security, manufacturing, primary metals, mechanical and electrical industries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, medical supplies, advanced technology and construction. Its mandate covers localisation of production, development of strategic reserves, continuity of supply and stronger industrial readiness for essential goods.
Sheikh Mohammed said the Cabinet had approved decisions to accelerate the UAE’s industrial growth, expand local production, secure supply chains and scale the use of artificial intelligence across production and operations. The emphasis on AI gives the fund a technology-driven dimension, with applications expected in forecasting, risk management, planning and operational efficiency.
A major part of the package is the move to make the National In-Country Value Programme mandatory across federal entities and companies in which the government holds a stake of 25 per cent or more. That change moves the programme from an incentive-led model to a procurement-driven framework, using government and institutional spending to support UAE-manufactured products and deepen domestic industrial capacity.
The Cabinet also approved a policy to strengthen the presence of national products across retail outlets and digital platforms. The policy aims to improve visibility for UAE-made goods, raise consumer awareness, integrate domestic producers into major supply chains and support market stability during periods of external disruption.
The measures are closely tied to the broader industrial strategy launched in 2021, which set out to raise the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP and build a more advanced manufacturing base. Since then, industrial exports have doubled to AED262 billion in 2025, while medium and high-technology exports reached AED92 billion, exceeding 2031 targets six years ahead of schedule. More than AED473 billion has been redirected into the national economy through the In-Country Value Programme.
Preparations for Make it in the Emirates 2026 suggest the platform has grown from a promotional showcase into a central policy and procurement forum. The fifth edition will be held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and will bring together investors, manufacturers, government entities, financial institutions and global industry leaders. It is being hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and organised by ADNEC Group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Abu Dhabi Investment Office and ADNOC Group.
This year’s edition is expected to be the largest so far, with 1,162 exhibiting companies, a 61 per cent increase over the previous edition. The exhibition area will cover 88,000 square metres, representing annual growth of 30 per cent, while small and medium-sized enterprises will account for 60 per cent of exhibitors. More than 4,800 products have been identified for localisation, giving manufacturers a clearer map of procurement opportunities and import-substitution priorities.
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC, has framed industrial capacity as a pillar of national sovereignty, arguing that countries able to manufacture their own food, medicine and machinery are better placed to withstand market shocks. His comments reflect a broader policy consensus that resilience requires factories, skilled personnel, financing channels and predictable demand rather than slogans alone.
The platform will also introduce new initiatives, including the next generation of the In-Country Value Programme, an upgraded Industrial Technology Transformation Index and additional financing tools. New features such as the Industry Museum, Quality Hub, NextGen Hub, Intelligence Hub and Startup Hub are intended to widen participation across the industrial value chain, from heritage-linked production to advanced technology.
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