The success of the plans to localize strategic industries in the UAE 2024

The UAE continued its journey during 2024 towards the localization of a group of strategic industries with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on imports, based on a future vision, solid strategies and an advanced infrastructure to strengthen the national economy, most notably: defense and space industries, aircraft components, medicine, food, renewable energy, petrochemicals and construction, as well as technological industries. Including electric cars and self-driving vehicles.
The UAE has put in place many mechanisms to localize these industries, including: Industrial free zones: such as Khalifa Industrial City (KIZAD), “Jebel Ali” and dozens of other areas in the country, in addition to government incentives by providing tax exemptions and incentives for investors and local companies, and focusing on national competencies through… Providing training and qualification programs to employ local competencies in these industries. Through these efforts, the UAE seeks to achieve economic security, enhance innovation, and develop a strong industrial infrastructure to support sustainable development.
The Abu Dhabi-based Interregional Center for Strategic Analysis said: “During 2024, the UAE witnessed remarkable progress in the localization and development of strategic industries, supported by a future vision and solid strategies to strengthen the national economy, while the work teams approved during the annual meetings of the UAE government integrated systems to accelerate achievement in strategic files. “This reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening national capabilities.”
The center added that the UAE has achieved many achievements in many fields during the year 2024, the most important of which is: enhancing future technologies, especially in artificial intelligence, as the country continues to pump large investments into the sector, especially in research and in the space sector, with the launch of projects aimed at localizing advanced industries and integrating them into the economy. National, within the “National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology”.
Reports indicated that the industrial sector currently contributes 17% of the non-oil domestic product and 9% of the gross domestic product, which reflects the success of the initiatives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology. These achievements highlight the UAE’s commitment to promoting and localizing strategic industries, which contributes to achieving sustainable development. And enhance its position as a global center for innovation and technology.
Interregional confirmed that the UAE’s renaissance in developing strategic industries came as a result of an ambitious vision and comprehensive strategic planning aimed at diversifying the economy and enhancing its global position in accordance with the UAE Vision 2021 and the “300 Billion Project,” which aims to raise the contribution of the industrial sector to 300 billion dirhams by 2031.
The Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 and Dubai Industrial City 2030 focused on diversifying the economy by supporting sectors such as aviation, defence, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical industries by developing industrial infrastructure, creating specialized industrial zones, developing transportation and logistics networks, investing in innovation and technology, and integrating artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and robotics into… Manufacturing processes and other factors that made the UAE a role model in developing strategic industries.
Interregional said that the UAE has clear government policies and programs to attract the private sector, especially international multinational companies, which encourage them to establish local factories and transfer technology, in addition to providing all forms of support to leading local companies in strategic industries.
The center added that the UAE embraces a number of major companies that lead efforts to develop strategic industries, and play a major role in achieving economic sustainability and promoting self-sufficiency, the most important of which are: EDGE, which specializes in defense industries and advanced technology, Strata, which manufactures aircraft components, Masdar in the renewable energy and sustainability sector, and ADNOC in the oil sector. Gas and petrochemical industries, Group 42 in artificial intelligence and advanced technology, Emirates Global Aluminium, Tawazun Holding, National Pharmaceutical Industry “Julphar”, Etihad Rail and Dubai. Marine Industries and Marine Services, Emirates Food and Mineral Water Company “Agthia”, “Amsteel Building Materials Company”, “Yahsat”, “Al Foah” and other major companies that reflect the UAE’s commitment to developing strategic industries and promoting self-sufficiency, which contributes to diversifying the national economy and consolidating the country’s position. As a global industrial center.