The UAE's flagship industrial forum kicked off Monday in Abu Dhabi, bringing together 1,200 exhibitors and an expected 120,000 visitors over four days to showcase the country's growing industrial ambitions.
The fifth and largest edition of Make it in the Emirates runs under the theme "Advanced Industry. Emerging Stronger" at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, spanning 88,000 square metres across 12 priority sectors including aerospace and defence, advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, energy, and sustainable materials.
The event arrives on the back of strong industrial momentum — the UAE's industrial GDP has risen 70% since 2021, with exports more than doubling to AED 262 billion. Major deals between government bodies, national enterprises, global corporations, and local businesses are expected to be announced throughout the week.
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) will unveil a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening industrial resilience, including the next generation of the In-Country Value (ICV) Program, which has channelled over AED 473 billion into the national economy since its launch.
This year's edition introduces four experiential hubs representing the most significant expansion of the forum's format to date. The Intelligence Hub offers a 1,400-square-metre technology showcase featuring AI, robotics, drones, electric vehicles, and smart manufacturing. The Industry NextGen Hub connects SMEs and startups — who make up 61% of exhibitors — with procurement pipelines, investor matchmaking, and financing guidance. The Quality Hub guides manufacturers on international standards compliance, while the House of Industry presents the UAE's first immersive industrial heritage exhibition, tracing the nation's economic evolution from early trade to advanced manufacturing.
Make it in the Emirates 2026 is hosted by MoIAT in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, ADIO, ADNOC, and L'IMAD, and organised by ADNEC Group.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
