The UAE will pump AED 40 bn (c. USD 10.9 bn) into its industrial base over the next five years, which aims to grow the sector and localize supply chains, according to a press release citing statements made by Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Sultan Al Jaber during the Make it in the Emirates forum.

Banks are backing industrial financing: The financing — to be led by national institutions including our friends at Mashreq, Emirates Development Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, and Wio Bank — targets manufacturers across strategic sectors like chemicals, metals, food, construction, pharma, plastics, and machinery. “Every investment in the industrial sector has a multiplier effect — stimulating growth in related sectors,” Al Jaber added.

Product localization expansion plan: The UAE will also localize 4.8k products and raise potential procurements to AED 168 bn over the next decade.

SME FUND-

And a AED 1 bn fund for SMEs: The Emirates is also launching the Emirates Growth Fund (EGF) for SMEs, an AED 1 bn fund operating under Emirates Development Bank, according to a statement (pdf). EGF offers flexible capital from AED 10 mn to AED 50 mn per company. It targets SMEs that have outgrown early-stage funding but require long-term capital and operational guidance to grow and expand — with a focus on sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, food security, and tech. The fund’s active minority investments ensure founders retain operational control while reviving support in governance, growth strategy, and operational optimization.

It has already started deploying: EGF’s first investment is in healthcare, with a minority stake acquired in Tarmeem Healthcare Holding, which operates Tarmeem Orthopedic & Spine Specialty Hospital.

ICYMI- Regionally, the UAE has integrated supply chains with an AED 18.4 bn (USD 5 bn) joint industrial investment plan alongside Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, Bahrain, and Turkey through the Integrated Industrial Coalition initiated in Abu Dhabi in 2022.

EXPORTS FUND-

And another AED 1 bn for exporting firms: The Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) and Emirates Development Bank (EDB) will partner up to provide AED 1 bn in joint financing support for local private firms working in exporting and manufacturing, state news agency Wam reports. Available funds will go towards boosting working capital and supporting global expansion.