Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The 2025 edition of Make it in the Emirates, the UAE's largest industrial gathering, marks a major leap in scale and ambition, expanding into a worldwide industrial development hub, said Humaid Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group.
Make it in the Emirates commences at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on May 19, gathering innovators, investors, and policymakers over a span of four days to highlight opportunities, showcase innovation, and foster collaboration.
Speaking to Aletihad, Al Dhaheri said the event serves as a platform for collaboration and strategic partnerships, in line with the UAE's vision for a highly skilled export-oriented economy.
"With ADNEC Group organising Make it in the Emirates for the first time at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the forum has seen a significant expansion in both size and scope," he said.
"This edition is the largest to date, with over 68,000 square metres of fully booked exhibition space - five times larger than the previous edition."
With the participation of over 700 exhibitors, the forum covers 12 strategic sectors, including hydrogen, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and space, dedicated to mirroring the transformation of economic diversification in the UAE.
"This broader scope is designed to attract investment into emerging industries, enable technology transfer, and unlock opportunities for future development," Al Dhaheri added.
He explained that ADNEC drives innovation and investment in showcasing local competencies to position the UAE as a diversified, world-class economy.
"ADNEC Group is a key enabler of the UAE's national industrial goals… connecting government bodies, manufacturers, investors, and technology leaders, and facilitating dialogue and partnerships that translate national strategies into actionable outcomes."
He stressed ADNEC's ambitious vision of cementing Abu Dhabi's role as an international business and innovation epicentre.
"We aim to be a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and contribute to national prosperity through events that align with strategic priorities such as knowledge-based development and advanced technology adoption."
He noted that the Handicrafts Exhibition at Make it in the Emirates integrates traditional crafts with new age industrial applications, bringing together artisans and industry leaders.
Elaborating on ADNEC's role, Al Dhaheri said that the group has continuously improved the support for exhibitors with seamless logistics, matchmaking platforms and digital registration.
"Our goal is to maximise visibility, drive ROI, and ensure exhibitors are well-positioned to form strategic partnerships during and beyond the event."
Coordination with government partners - MoIAT, ADIO and ADNOC- has been crucial in achieving ADNEC's national vision.
"Working together with all stakeholders, the fourth edition of Make it in the Emirates will serve as a global convening platform, fostering investment, collaboration, and industrial partnerships. It underscores the UAE's ambition to develop a resilient, high-tech and globally competitive industrial ecosystem that contributes to economic diversification and sustainable development."
In terms of on-site experience, Al Dhaheri drew attention to the introduction of a Collaboration Hub, networking lounges, as well as sector-specific matchmaking areas.
"These spaces are designed to facilitate strategic briefings, one-on-one meetings, and real-time project discussions that can catalyse long-term partnerships and investments. By offering curated matchmaking programmes and targeted business introductions, the event serves as a high-value platform for forging new industrial alliances, signing offtake agreements, and accelerating procurement pipelines, empowering stakeholders to turn ambition into action."
Sustainability is also a core focus this year.
"We are powering ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi with renewable energy, implementing waste reduction measures, and using sustainable event infrastructure. These efforts align with the UAE's Net Zero 2050 strategy and ADNEC's broader ESG commitments."
Furthermore, ADNEC plans to build on the momentum generated from hosting this global event.
We expect this to be the most impactful edition yet," Al Dhaheri said.
"After the event, we will engage with stakeholders to assess impact and explore new opportunities to elevate the forum's influence both regionally and globally."
