Institutional Mandate and Legal Basis
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) was established in 2020 as part of a restructuring of the UAE federal government, reflecting the nation’s strategic emphasis on industrial development and technology-led economic transformation. MoIAT’s mandate encompasses the formulation and implementation of industrial policy, the promotion of advanced manufacturing, the acceleration of Fourth Industrial Revolution technology adoption, and the enhancement of the UAE’s industrial competitiveness on the global stage. The ministry operates under Cabinet authority and coordinates with emirate-level industrial entities.
Role Within UAE Governance Structure
MoIAT occupies a critical position in the UAE’s economic governance as the lead federal entity for industrial strategy. The ministry bridges the gap between the UAE’s technology ambitions and its industrial base, working to embed artificial intelligence, robotics, additive manufacturing, and biotechnology into the productive economy. MoIAT coordinates with other federal ministries, emirate-level economic authorities, and sovereign wealth funds that hold industrial assets. The ministry also serves as the UAE’s focal point for international industrial cooperation and technology transfer agreements.
Key Functions and Activities
MoIAT’s core activities include developing national industrial strategies, administering the Emirates Make It (national in-country value) program, supporting industrial enterprises with regulatory guidance and incentives, promoting technology adoption in manufacturing, and overseeing product safety and standards. The ministry manages the National In-Country Value Program, which directs government and semi-government procurement toward domestic suppliers to strengthen local manufacturing. MoIAT also administers the Operation 300bn strategy, which targets increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP. The ministry supports industrial zone development and maintains a registry of industrial establishments.
Relationship to We the UAE 2031 Vision
MoIAT is a cornerstone institution for the We the UAE 2031 vision’s industrial and technological ambitions. The ministry’s work to grow the manufacturing sector and embed advanced technology across industries directly supports the vision’s goal of building a knowledge-based economy. The Operation 300bn strategy and in-country value programs advance self-sufficiency and supply chain resilience objectives embedded in the 2031 framework. MoIAT’s focus on sustainability in manufacturing, including green hydrogen, circular economy practices, and clean production, aligns with the vision’s environmental commitments.
Recent Developments and Strategic Initiatives
MoIAT has launched several flagship initiatives since its establishment, including the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution network of lighthouse factories. The ministry has partnered with international organizations and technology providers to establish innovation hubs and accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques in UAE industry. MoIAT has expanded the Make It in the Emirates campaign to attract foreign manufacturers to establish production facilities in the UAE and has introduced industrial financing programs in partnership with the Emirates Development Bank.
Leadership and Governance
MoIAT is led by a minister who serves as a member of the UAE Cabinet and has championed the UAE’s Fourth Industrial Revolution agenda at international forums. The minister is supported by undersecretaries for industrial development and advanced technology, along with technical advisory committees that include private sector representatives, academics, and international experts. The ministry’s governance framework emphasizes agile policymaking, public-private partnership, and measurable outcomes aligned with national industrial targets.