MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi will host the largest-ever edition of Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) this year, with more than 1,000 companies expected to participate under the theme “Emerging Stronger”, as the UAE accelerates its push for industrial growth and supply chain resilience.
The fifth edition of the industrial platform will run from May 4 to 7 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, bringing together government entities, manufacturers and investors at a time when supply chain continuity has become a national priority.
“Make it in the Emirates has, in a short period, become one of the UAE’s leading industrial platforms and a key driver of industrial growth and competitiveness,” said Osama Amir Fadhel, Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, at a press conference on Thursday.
The upcoming edition is expected to feature 1,022 companies — a 42% increase compared to the previous edition — with small and medium-sized enterprises accounting for around 60% of exhibitors, according to Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Group Chief Executive Officer of ADNEC Group.
Al Dhaheri said the exhibition reinforces local manufacturing as a cornerstone of economic diversification and self-sufficiency, while also creating opportunities for partnerships and access to new markets.
The event will span 12 key sectors, including food and pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, energy, construction materials, electronics, aerospace, automotive and defence, and will cover 88,000 square metres of exhibition space.
Fadhel said the platform aims to enable the local manufacturing of more than 5,000 products, reflecting growing confidence in the UAE’s industrial ecosystem and investment environment.
This year’s theme, “Emerging Stronger”, reflects a push towards a more resilient and adaptable industrial sector capable of navigating global disruptions, he added.
The fifth edition will see the launch of a number of specialised platforms, including an industry museum, a smart manufacturing platform, a quality infrastructure platform, and a next-generation industry platform, according to Fadhel.
The forum will focus on four main pillars: industrial sovereignty and resilience, the National In-Country Value Programme, advanced technology and the future of manufacturing, as well as international partnerships and youth empowerment.
From an investment perspective, Mohammad Ali Al Kamali, Chief Industry and Trade Officer at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said the global industrial landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by technological advancements and shifting supply chains.
“The question today is how we continue to attract industrial investment and ensure the sector’s long-term growth,” he said, adding that Abu Dhabi is building an integrated industrial ecosystem that enables companies to expand regionally and globally.
The emirate’s industrial sector grew by 2.4% in the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period a year earlier, underscoring its role as a key non-oil growth driver.
Omar Abdulla Alnuaimi, Acting Director of ADNOC’s Group Commercial and In-Country Value Directorate, highlighted the growing importance of local manufacturing, particularly as ongoing geopolitical challenges disrupt global supply chains.
“Strengthening national manufacturing and building more resilient supply chains is no longer just a development or economic goal, but a practical pillar to ensure business continuity and supply security,” he said.
Alnuaimi added that ADNOC’s In-Country Value programme redirected Dh65 billion into the UAE economy in 2025, bringing the total to Dh307 billion since its launch in 2018. The company has also identified Dh90 billion in local manufacturing opportunities through to 2030.
MIITE 2026 will also see the participation of more than 200 Emirati artisans, showcasing over 50 traditional crafts.
Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Culture, said the initiative reflects a broader effort to position cultural industries as a driver of innovation and investment.
“Emirati crafts are not just heritage we preserve, but a promising productive sector that contributes to the national economy,” he said, noting that more than 500 products blending traditional craftsmanship with modern design will be displayed.