Attracting international capital into advanced manufacturing is central to the UAE's long-term economic vision, said Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi, UAE Minister of Investment.
He was taking part in a fireside chat at Make it in the Emirates, where the Ministry of Investment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, launched a new whitepaper titled "UAE: A snapshot of manufacturing excellence – Advancing into future industries".
“The UAE's manufacturing landscape today is defined by technology, innovation, and a relentless focus on high-value production. Attracting international capital into advanced manufacturing is central to our long-term economic vision; it strengthens industrial capacity, accelerates the diversification of our economy, develops national talent, and deepens our integration into global value chains," he said.
$33bn FDI into manufacturing
"In the decade leading to 2024, international investors committed close to $33 billion in manufacturing-related FDI into the UAE, and today manufacturing stands as the fifth-largest sector for FDI into the country, representing 7% of our total FDI stock. These are clear signals that global manufacturers recognise the depth of opportunity, the quality of talent, and the pace of innovation that define the UAE's investment and manufacturing ecosystems.”
The whitepaper offers an in-depth perspective on the UAE’s manufacturing landscape as one of the world's most advanced, innovation-driven, and investment-ready industrial ecosystems.
The event was hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, ADNOC and L’IMAD Holding Company, and organised by ADNEC Group.
The whitepaper reflects on the UAE’s evolution from a traditional, resource-based industrial base into a diversified, high-value manufacturing hub spanning heavy industries, chemicals, machinery and equipment, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, space sector, hydrogen and renewable energy, and extending to advanced and future industries, powered by Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies . It outlines how an ambitious government vision, deliberate policy choices, world-class infrastructure, and a forward-looking investment ecosystem have positioned the UAE as a strategic destination for international manufacturers seeking scale, innovation, and access to global markets.
Strategic necessity
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, added: “Guided by the vision and directives of the UAE’s wise leadership, our country has entered a new phase of sustainable industrial transformation, transitioning towards a model focused on manufacturing, exports, value creation, and strengthening industrial and technological competitiveness in global markets.”
He added: “Driven by a clear national vision, industry is no longer solely an economic option, but a strategic necessity to strengthen economic resilience, support supply chains, and drive sustainable growth. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology continues to work towards developing an integrated national ecosystem in collaboration with strategic partners across government entities and the private sector. The launch of the whitepaper on advanced manufacturing in the UAE reflects a collaborative approach built on coordination, unified national efforts, and the deployment of advanced technologies to provide investors with a comprehensive and clear view of the opportunities available, while connecting global capital with opportunities in the UAE, enhancing economic integration and accelerating growth and investment. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend the role of the Ministry of Investment in strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading global destination for investment and attracting foreign investment flows that support the national economy.”
Industrial exports jump 25%
The UAE’s industrial exports increased by 25% in 2025, reaching AED262 billion (71.34 billion), while medium- and high-tech industrial exports increased to AED92 billion, surpassing the country’s 2031 target six years ahead of schedule. This reflects the UAE’s commitment to reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most competitive and future-ready destinations for investment in advanced manufacturing.
The report highlights the central role of foreign direct investment in the UAE's industrial transformation. Between 2015 and 2024, the UAE attracted 251 manufacturing-related FDI projects, representing total capital investment commitments of $32.7 billion and generating an estimated 38,684 jobs.
The United States, the United Kingdom, and India emerged as the top source countries by number of projects over the decade, followed by Germany and China, reflecting the growing confidence of investors from across mature and emerging markets in the UAE's industrial proposition. Advanced manufacturing is one of the priority investment sectors identified under the UAE’s National Investment Strategy 2031 – positioning it a core pillar of the UAE’s long-term economic diversification agenda.
Operation 300 Billion
The whitepaper also underscores the scale of the UAE's industrial ambition. Under Operation 300 Billion, the UAE aims to raise the manufacturing sector's GDP contribution to AED 300 billion by 2031 – a target that is already 63% achieved. Complementary national programmes, including Make it in the Emirates, the National In-Country Value Program, and the Technology Transformation Program, are accelerating the localization of high-value production, the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, and the integration of UAE manufacturers into global value chains.
Alongside the whitepaper, the Ministry of Investment also unveiled Atlas, a dynamic geospatial platform designed to unlock investment insights across the UAE. Atlas gives global investors real-time access to the UAE's investment landscape through an interactive map and powerful analytics, enabling users to visualise investment projects, explore sectors and regions, apply filters by source country, project type, and free zone, and generate custom reports by country or sector. -TradeArabia News Service
