UAE’s industrial exports reached approximately AED120 billion ($32.6 billion) in 2021, according to the annual report for 2021, released by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
The rise in exports coincided with a major surge in factories commencing production in 2021, with 220 new facilities going into service.
Also, the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program
, launched to redirect spending by public entities and major companies under its umbrella to the UAE economy, has succeeded in circulating AED41.4 billion ($11.5 billion) back into the local market, further promoting local companies.
Collectively, the report said, these factors have helped the UAE rise five places—from 35 to 30– in the Competitive Industrial Performance Index issued annually by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
The report said MoIAT has been responsible for implementing the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology since its launch by the UAE government in Q1 2021.
“The results confirm major advances in the national industrial sector, especially in terms of productivity, efficiency and competitiveness. This has been attained through accelerating its transformation by integrating advanced technologies and providing financial incentives and solutions through the Emirates Development Bank (EDB), the strategy’s financial enabler, alongside other facilities and initiatives,” it reads.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said, “In line with the leadership’s directives, MoIAT has achieved several outstanding results within one year of its establishment, which supported the growth of the UAE’s industrial sector by contributing to its capabilities, competitiveness, and attractiveness.”
In 2021, 220 new factories were licensed, and 45 public entities and 13 major national institutions and companies joined the National ICV Program.
In addition to redirecting more than AED41 billion into the national economy during 2021, it also aided responding to the increasing demand for efficient and competitive supply chains, the creation of 1,000 high-quality job opportunities for nationals, and the establishment of training program to upskill Emiratis, Al Jaber said.
Furthermore
, 300 new suppliers obtained the ICV certificate, bringing the total number of certified companies to 5,300.
“We announced EDB’s strategy, the financial enabler of MoIAT’s strategy. A competitive financing initiative worth AED10 billion (US$2.7 billion) was also launched for priority sectors, AED5 billion of which is to help deploy advanced technology in the industrial sector, and another AED5 billion (US$1.36 billion) to support the UAE’s projects in priority sectors,” he added.
Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology, said the ministry also signed and activated 12 MoUs with leading local and international companies to establish the Champions 4.0 Network and three MoUs with the economic departments of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman to support the adoption of 4IR technologies.
“In addition, we entered into a strategic partnership with Siemens to support the digital transformation of the industrial sector, and signed an MoU with Spain to enhance cooperation in science and technology,” she said.
In partnership with the Emirates Development Bank, the Ministry launched an AED5 billion financing program for the next five years, to support projects aimed at accelerating advanced technology adoption. During 2021, AED248 million (US$67.5 million) was granted to finance such projects.
Internationally, the Ministry’s leading role in advanced technology was highlighted through its organization of the second Islamic Summit on Science and Technology, which was attended by 57 countries and resulted in the adoption of the Abu Dhabi Declaration.
The UAE also joined as an observer member of the International Center for Synchrotron Beam.
The report said the Quality Infrastructure the Standardization and Regulations Sector in the Ministry achieved many goals during 2021, including the adoption of 616 specifications and technical regulations compatible with the best international and regional specifications in priority sectors, with another 75 specifications and regulations under approval.
Efforts also included the adoption of specifications in sectors like vehicles, advanced technology, novel food, and sustainable management of hydroponics.
The Ministry also reviewed the food labeling policy, which resulted in the Cabinet approving amendments to the procedures for implementing the policy on labeling nutritional values for food products.
The amendments seek to reduce the cost of implementing technical specifications, saving food and beverage manufacturers approximately AED1.4 billion over the coming five years.
Internationally, the UAE’s invitation to host the meetings of the General Assembly of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 2022 in Abu Dhabi has been accepted.
The Ministry also won membership of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC), in addition to the membership of both Standardization Management Council (SMC) and Management of Accreditation Council (MAC) in OIC’s Standards and Metrology Institute 2022-2024 session.
The Ministry also operates the Emirates National Accreditation System (ENAS), which is responsible for supporting the sectors related to the various quality infrastructure activities in the country.
In 2021, the System oversaw a 64.5 percent increase in the number of Conformity Assessment Bodies registered in the country from 2020, and a 43.3 percent increase in the number of Halal Certification Bodies registered.
The scope of accreditation of Biogenix Lab – a unit of G42 – has also been expanded in genome tests that are done as part of the Emirati Genome project.