The United Arab Emirates ended its largest-ever Make it in the Emirates event with major industrial deals, investment plans, and manufacturing agreements worth hundreds of billions of dirhams.
The four-day event took place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and brought together investors, manufacturers, government leaders, and technology firms from around the world.
The fifth edition of the event welcomed 146,329 visitors and 1,245 exhibitors across 12 major sectors. Organisers said this was the biggest edition since the platform started. More than 200 agreements were signed during the event, covering industrial investments, financing support, supply chain development, and localisation programmes.
One of the biggest announcements came from Sultan Al Jaber, who revealed cumulative industrial offtakes worth Dh180 billion over the next 10 years.
The figure increased by Dh12 billion compared to the earlier Dh168 billion pipeline. Officials said the programme will help localise the production of more than 5,000 products inside the UAE.
Another major development came from TA’ZIZ, which announced procurement and feedstock agreements worth Dh104.6 billion. The company said the deals will support chemical manufacturing growth and downstream industries in Al Ruwais Industrial City.
TA’ZIZ also partnered with Alpha Dhabi Holding to launch industrial chemicals projects valued at Dh36.7 billion. The projects are expected to become some of the largest industrial investments announced during the event.
Several economic zones and investment authorities also confirmed billion-dirham agreements.
Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi signed agreements worth Dh2.1 billion. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Investment Office announced Dh1.5 billion in support for new and expanding factories.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone also revealed industrial development agreements worth Dh1.59 billion.
Investment activity remained strong across the wider industrial sector.
Mubadala announced Dh4.5 billion in new investments. At the same time, ADNOC unveiled Dh480 million across four industrial facilities designed to support local manufacturing capabilities.
Food production and import substitution were also major themes during the event.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, together with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the National CSR Fund, launched a new policy focused on increasing local food production.
Officials said the programme aims to replace Dh2 billion in food imports every year through domestic manufacturing. The initiative is expected to support as many as 200 food factories while raising local food production capacity by up to 30 per cent.
Al Ain Farms Group used the event to launch Al Ain Taaza, a new brand targeting the UAE fresh juice market. The company said it plans to compete for one-third of the country’s Dh500 million fresh juice segment.
Advanced manufacturing companies also secured important deals during the event.
Pipetec announced agreements worth Dh75 million. Meanwhile, NanoCarbonX and Graphene Star signed a Dh50 million manufacturing agreement linked to advanced materials production.
The government also announced new financial support for industrial companies.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Emirates Development Bank launched the Dh1 billion National Industrial Resilience Fund. The programme aims to support manufacturers and strengthen industrial resilience across the country.
Additional financing support worth Dh18 billion was secured from Mashreq Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Emirates Development Bank.
ADNOC also announced plans for Dh200 billion worth of future industrial projects over the next three years. Officials said the projects will create fresh opportunities for manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers across the UAE industrial sector.
The National In-Country Value Programme expanded further during the event. Du joined the programme as a new participant, while Etihad Airways renewed its commitment.
A dedicated ICV Day hosted more than 260 meetings between manufacturers and suppliers, helping companies build new business partnerships.
Organisers confirmed that the next edition of Make it in the Emirates will take place from May 3 to May 6, 2027, as the UAE continues pushing forward with its industrial growth strategy.
