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Dr Sultan Al Jaber, the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, delivered the assessment during the inaugural Made in GCC 2026 forum and exhibition held in Manama under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The UAE sent a delegation to the 57th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the Ministerial Committee for Standardisation Affairs, where discussions centred on enhancing industrial integration and supply chain resilience across the bloc. The ministry reported that more than 23 Emirati companies participated, displaying capabilities in basic industries, pharmaceuticals, defence and spare parts.
Al Jaber said the UAE’s industrial exports reached AED260 billion in 2025, with AED92 billion coming from medium- and high-technology products. The National In-Country Value programme has redirected more than AED473 billion into the national economy since its launch, supporting local companies and reinforcing supply chain strength. Ministry figures show the industrial sector now contributes AED200 billion, a 70 per cent increase since 2021.
The minister added that the UAE remains committed to strengthening ties with GCC partners and advancing industrial integration in line with national leadership directives. These efforts aim to develop interconnected supply chains, raise product quality and competitiveness, and accelerate adoption of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and artificial intelligence. Such measures help position the GCC more prominently on the global advanced manufacturing map.
Al Jaber invited GCC industrial companies to take part in the sixth edition of Make it in the Emirates, set for 3-6 May 2027 at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. The platform provides avenues for securing deals, exchanging expertise and capitalising on opportunities available to investors, entrepreneurs and innovators in the UAE. The minister noted that UAE involvement in GCC ministerial meetings converts cooperation into concrete investment openings that promote expansion.
The Made in GCC gathering approved five joint industrial investment opportunities as the initial phase of a project targeting 20 such ventures across the region. A GCC statement referenced the 2025 Competitive Industrial Performance index from the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, in which the UAE ranked 32nd globally while other member states also posted strong positions. The meetings additionally launched the Gulf Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and an associated digital platform to improve factory digital maturity and support sector transformation.
