Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ALETIHAD)
The National In-Country Value (ICV) programme, launched by the UAE government to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of the industrial sector, has grown in scale and size, said H.E. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology on Monday.
Al Suwaidi’s remarks came during a panel session on the ICV programme at the third Make it in the Emirates Forum at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre.
Bringing together decision-makers, government and private sector officials, experts, entrepreneurs, financing entities, investors, startups, and SMEs, the event offers a valuable networking and knowledge exchange platform for the industrial community.
Reviewing the achievements of the ICV, launched in 2018, Al Suwaidi said that the programme has grown in numbers as 29 entities are currently implementing it.
“When the Ministry was formed in 2020, this was one of the programmes we were asked to take on a national level. So, in 2021, when our strategy emerged, we came out with a national programme to implement ICV in a number of UAE entities,” he said.
Sectors from food and beverage to aviation and real estate are now part of the programme.
“We now have 7,000 suppliers within the ICV programme. This tells you how successful this is, and how supportive the entire ecosystem is of these many providers,” he said.
Rashid Al Balushi, Undersecretary of Abu Dhabi Department for Economic Development (ADDED), noted that the ICV programme is a comprehensive strategy to enhance the national economy through improving efficiencies and developing infrastructure. “We focus on empowering local businesses to become more competitive on a global level,” he said.
Saleh Al Hashemi, Director, Group Commercial and ICV, at ADNOC, said that ADNOC has integrated the ICV concept into its commercial strategies to boost local manufacturing and create new job opportunities.
The session also heard of the successes achieved by ADNOC in enhancing local value through strategic partnerships with local and international companies.
He noted that investing in the local market enhances competitiveness and contributes to building a strong and sustainable economy. “We have achieved great successes through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives,” he added.
Shaista Asif, Co-Founder and Group Chief Operating Officer of PureHealth, highlighted the health
sector's adoption of the ICV concept to enhance innovation and competitiveness.
She discussed PureHealth's role in promoting research and development through strategic partnerships with local and international institutions.
“We work to integrate innovation into every aspect of our work. In-Country Value is an essential part of our strategy to enhance research and development and achieve excellence in the health sector,” she said.
