February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

In-Country Value (ICV) is a government-driven procurement methodology that measures the total economic value retained within a national economy when goods and services are procured. The framework quantifies contributions such as local employment, local sourcing of materials, investment in local manufacturing capacity, and technology transfer. ICV programmes incentivise suppliers to maximise domestic economic impact rather than simply offering the lowest price.

UAE Context

The UAE’s ICV programme was launched by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and is a mandatory requirement for entities bidding on federal government and ADNOC contracts. Bidders must obtain an ICV certificate from approved certifying bodies, with scores based on factors including Emiratisation levels, UAE-based spending on goods and services, use of UAE-manufactured products, and investment in local training or R&D. Higher ICV scores improve a bidder’s competitive positioning during tender evaluation. The programme spans sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, defence, and technology.

Key Data

  • Administering body: Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT)
  • Mandatory for: Federal government tenders and ADNOC procurement
  • Scoring factors: Emiratisation, local spending, local manufacturing, training investment
  • Certification: Annual ICV certificates issued by approved third-party auditors
  • Alignment: Supports Operation 300bn and UAE Industrial Strategy

Significance for Vision 2031

ICV is a cornerstone of the UAE’s industrial diversification strategy, directly supporting Operation 300bn’s goal of growing the manufacturing sector. By linking procurement to local economic retention, ICV encourages multinational companies to establish deeper roots in the UAE through local hiring, supply chain localisation, and technology transfer, accelerating the transition to a knowledge-based economy.

  • Operation 300bn — The UAE’s industrial growth strategy aligned with ICV goals
  • Emiratisation — National workforce participation programme scored in ICV assessments
  • ADNOC — Major procurer requiring ICV certification from suppliers