admin The Make it in the Emirates 2026, the fifth and largest edition of the UAE’s flagship industrial platform, concluded, closing a week that demonstrated the UAE is built to keep building.
The four-day event, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the Adnoc Group and L’IMAD, and organised by the Adnec Group, welcomed 146,329 visitors — 19 per cent more than 2025 — and 1,245 exhibitors across 12 sectors and 88,000 square metres at Adnec Centre Abu Dhabi. More than 200 agreements were signed across offtakes, investments, projects, financing and enablement programs.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, set the tone in his opening address, “There is a great difference between those who focus only on surviving crises, and those who seize them as opportunities and turn them into new beginnings. In the UAE, we do not simply endure hardships. We emerge from them stronger.”
Dr Sultan Al Jaber speaks during the Make it in the Emirates exhibition in Abu Dhabi. WAM
Dr Al Jaber announced Dhs180 billion in cumulative offtakes over the next decade — adding Dhs12 billion to an existing Dhs168 billion pipeline — with plans to localise more than 5,000 products. TA’ZIZ announced Dhs104.6 billion in procurement and feedstock deals to support chemicals production.
A new policy activated by MoIAT, the Ministry of Economy and Tourism (MoET), and the National CSR Fund will enable Dhs2 billion in annual food import substitution through local production, supporting up to 200 food factories and targeting a 15-30 percent increase in local production capacity.
Closing his address Dr Al Jaber said, “From the UAE, opportunities begin. And from the UAE, industries launch to the world. Build with us. Invest with us. Make it in the Emirates.”
On the closing day, it was revealed the sixth edition of Make it in the Emirates will take place on May 3-6, 2027.
TA’ZIZ and Alpha Dhabi Holding announced Dhs36.7 billion in capital investment in new industrial chemicals at Al Ruwais Industrial City. Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) signed Dhs2.1 billion in deals while Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) confirmed Dhs1.5 billion in support for new and expanded factories.
A general view of the Make it in the Emirates exhibition at Adence Centre.
Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) signed Dhs1.59b in agreements. Etihad Water and Electricity signed an agreement for an Dhs1 billion desalination plant. Mubadala announced Dhs4.5 billion in investments, while Adnoc announced Dhs480 million across four new industrial facilities.
Al Ain Farms Group launched Al Ain Taaza, targeting one-third of the UAE’s Dhs500 million fresh juice segment. Pipetec secured Dhs75 million, while NanoCarbonX and Graphene Star signed an Dhs50 million manufacturing agreement.
MoIAT and Emirates Development Bank (EDB) launched the Dhs1 billion National Industrial Resilience Fund (NIRF) while MoIAT secured a further Dhs18 billion in competitive financing from Mashreq Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank and EDB. MoET signed an Dhs200 million agreement with Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) on intellectual property in the nuclear energy sector.
Adnoc unveiled Dhs200 billion in planned projects over the next three years. The National ICV Program welcomed new participants including Du, while Etihad Airways renewed its commitment. EGF entered an ICV agreement with MoIAT and ADNOC, aligning investment activity with national supply chain priorities. A dedicated ICV Day brought together 22 partners and more than 260 matchmaking meetings.
WAM
