The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) backs leveraging the competitive advantages of UAE to achieve growth in all sectors thereby pitching the country as a global destination for industries of the future.

 

“The UAE’s commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business by leveraging the competitive advantages of the country and lowering costs aims to empower the national industrial sector, attract industrial investment, and create commercially viable opportunities for national products. 

 

“It also aligns with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology by boosting the contribution of the industrial sector to the national economy and increasing industrial exports, while also helping to boost National In-Country Value (ICV) by supporting local industries by redirecting higher portions of public spending into the national economy,” said Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, who has led a joint delegation by MoIAT and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to the Tawazun Industrial Park and the Tawazun Economic Council (Tawazun), the integrated national centre for defence, security and aviation industries.

 

Dynamic role

Praising the commitment of government entities, large national companies, investors and manufacturers, including MoD, Dr Al Jaber commended the dynamic role played by Edge and Tawazun in meeting national objectives. 

 

“From what we have seen of the advanced development and high-level national competencies and human capabilities today, we should be proud of our defence and technological industries. The UAE defence sector has been able to create opportunities that are contributing to national economic growth and supporting the UAE's efforts to become a global hub for innovation and advanced industries.”

 

Dr Al Jaber also met with senior leadership of the Edge Group, one of the world’s leading advanced technology conglomerates.

 

The visit came as part of a series of tours conducted by to review the performance of industrial facilities in the UAE and discuss ways to further attract global investors and industrialists to the country. 

 

Make it in the Emirates

This is in line with the Ministry’s Make it in the Emirates initiative, which seeks to catalyse the development of a dynamic, supportive, and globally competitive industrial ecosystem by fostering closer collaboration with key industry stakeholders and creating procedures and incentives that encourage the establishment of pioneering industrial projects in the UAE.

 

Dr Al Jaber was accompanied on the tour by Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology; Director General Dr Mubarak Saeed bin Ghafan Al Jabri, Assistant Undersecretary for Support and Defence Industries at MoD; Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary for the Industrial Accelerators Sector, and Mohammed Al Qasim, Director of the Technology Development and Adoption at MoIAT, and Ali Al Hashemi, Director of Science and Technology Policies and Programmes at MoIAT.

 

The delegation was welcomed by Tariq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council; Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Edge; Mansour Al Mulla, CEO of Edge Group; Matar Ali Al Romaithi, Chief Economic Development Unit at Tawazun Economic Council; and Faiz Saleh Al Nahdi, CEO of Tawazun Industrial Park, in addition to a number of officials of companies and factories operating within the facility.

 

Develop defence projects

The joint delegation was briefed on plans to develop and expand defence projects at Tawazun Park, including a presentation on the work of Halcon, a regional leader in precision-guided munitions. 

 

The group also met EPI, housed within Edge Group’s Platforms and Systems cluster, and discussed the production of parts for the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, in addition to the manufacture of high-performance equipment and parts for the oil and gas industry.

 

During the tour, Edge Group also showcased its role as one of the prominent national institutions in the Champions Network 4.0, through which it is elevating the capabilities of the UAE defence industry, increasing the value of local manufacturing output, enhancing product quality and improving operational efficiencies through the integration of advanced technologies. It is also supporting the Make it in the Emirates initiative by empowering manufacturers across the sector’s value chain.

 

Necessary strategies

Major General Dr Al Jabri, said: “MoD pays great attention to defence industries, as has developed the necessary strategies and enacted policies that support this vital national sector while working directly and effectively with its strategic partners at the national and sector levels. The Ministry will continue to push ahead with initiatives and plans that will achieve these strategic goals. The defence industry, therefore, plays a key role in strengthening and supporting the UAE economy.”

 

Al Hosani welcomed the visit of Dr Al Jaber and said this was an opportunity to highlight Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) and its support of investors, manufacturers, suppliers, and entrepreneurs.

 

The work that both Tawazun and TIP is undertaking enhances the UAE’s standing as an attractive destination for investment and lays the foundation for sustainable partnerships within the industrial sector.

 

Future plans

“Tawazun and TIP are highly supportive of the Ministry's Make it in the Emirates campaign, and this includes future plans for the additional encouragement and development of SMEs and national businesses,” he added.

 

Al Bannai said: “The visit comes as part of a comprehensive strategy recently put place between MoIAT and Edge to accelerate the adoption of 4IR technologies across our product development roadmap to boost advanced manufacturing in the UAE’s defence sector for global export. Today’s visit further underscores the important role Edge is playing as a national Industry 4.0 Champion, fully aligned to the ministry’s Operation 300 billion strategy and objectives.”

 

It was explained to the delegation that Tawazun Industrial Park, home of Tawazun Economic Council, which aims to empower the defence, security, and aviation industries in the UAE, offers an integrated package of incentives for the provision of industrial real estate, including specialised facilities for the various specialties in defence and aviation. It features workshops, warehouses, showrooms, fully equipped offices and various types of housing for employees, in a supportive atmosphere that contributes to promoting growth and expansion for investors, whether in the Al-Ajban area or in the Nibras Al-Ain complex in the city of Al-Ain.

 

Beneficial ecosystem

It is now home to dozens of companies specialising in technology, innovation, and research and development in the defence, security, aerospace and accessories industries, with additional capabilities in communication systems and education. It provides a beneficial ecosystem for investors and entrepreneurs seeking to develop innovative, competitive, developmental industrial solutions according to international specifications in a sector that will promote economic growth in the UAE.

 

The Tawazun Economic Council has recently joined the National In-Country Value Programme, supervised by MoIAT. The programme succeeded in redirecting nearly AED41 billion ($11.16 billion) to the national economy during 2021.

 

Edge Group now ranks among the 25 largest defence companies in the world, and works to bring to market innovative technologies and service with greater speed and efficiency. Anticipating the risk scenarios of tomorrow, Edge Group is one of the leading providers of applications, and initiatives of the Fourth Industrial Revolution at the level of the UAE.-- TradeArabia News Service