The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) signed three separate memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Etisalat, Emirates Steel, and TAQA as the first three large national companies to join the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program.
By joining the National ICV Program, Etisalat, Emirates Steel, and TAQA will now prioritize local ICV-certified suppliers above other entities bidding for commercial contracts. The said program is included within the first set of ‘Projects of the 50’, a series of developmental and economic projects that aim to accelerate the UAE’s development and establish its status as an ideal destination for talents and investors.
The respective agreements were signed by Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of MoIAT, His Excellency Engineer Hatem Dowidar, CEO of Emirates Telecom Group, His Excellency Engineer Saeed Ghamran Al Rumaithi, CEO of Emirates Steel Industries Company, and Jassim Hussein Thabet, Group CEO and Managing Director of TAQA, the Abu Dhabi National Energy Company.
“[Today’s] MoU signings mark an important next step for increasing the local content in the UAE’s industrial sector,” said Al Suwaidi. “As we continue building on the momentum of Operation 300bn, the National ICV Program will be a crucial enabler of localizing and fortifying our robust supply chains.”
“Now we are implementing it at the federal level, and we expect similarly impressive results with more than 42% of government and private sector expenditure to the UAE’s industrial sector and the supply chains serving it by 2025. For local suppliers developing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) solutions and accelerating the integration of advanced technologies across the industrial value chain, National ICV certification will help unlock great opportunities to help contribute to the UAE’s rapid socio-economic development,” he added.
In support of this initiative, Eng. Hatem Dowidar, said, “Etisalat is proud to be a partner of MoIAT’s ICV Program, to be a vital contributor to achieving its goals in support of the national industrial sector and local investments, and to help localize products and services that play a key role in the supply chain.”
“Through its ‘Driving the Digital Future to Empower Societies’ strategy, Etisalat is keen on contributing to the acceleration of local economic growth and providing locally advanced technologies and world-class digital solutions through national capacities to accelerate the digital transformation of all entities and industries,” he added.
Dowidar pointed out that with Etisalat’s recognition as the fastest mobile network in the world and the strongest brand in the MENA region, the company continues to harness advanced technologies such as 5G, IoT, AI, and cloud solutions. This further elevates performance and innovation in line with the sustainable development programs implemented by the UAE’s government.
By implementing the National ICV program on all purchases and contracts, the three entities will also adopt the standards approved by MoIAT. Thus, the MoUs boost MoIAT’s mission to propose and prepare policies, strategies, legislation, and programs that enhance local industrial content, generate in-country value, and enhance the UAE’s global competitiveness.
