Future of Industry: Abu Dhabi looks to forge ties with private sector at GMIS

Abu Dhabi seeks to build alliances with private sector to kindle industrial revolution at conference this week

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The emirate of Abu Dhabi will be looking to forge alliances with the private sector at the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit, which kicks off today, as it accelerates efforts to diversify its economy away from oil.

The summit, which will last for three days, will be held at the Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi.

“GMIS is an ideal platform to develop a wide base and get updated on major innovations and knowledge areas in the industrial sector and also to review the benefits on local industries from the transformation to the fourth industrial revolution,” said Khalifa Al Mansouri, the acting undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development.

“Benefiting from this summit can be maximised by foc­using on potential global partnerships with leading industrial organisations so that the UAE can benefit from this network in its internal and external investments and consolidate its global role in pioneering the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

The main themes that are being addressed by Abu Dhabi Government companies and entities at the conference include building on technology and innovation in the industrial sector led by Tawazun and global production value chains headed by Mubadala. The skills, and jobs and education working group is led by the Abu Dhabi Education Council.

Additionally, discussion of sustainability and environment is led by the emirate’s Environment Agency. The theme of infrastructure is led by the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and standards is headed by Abu Dhabi Systems and Information Centre.

Abu Dhabi, the world’s fourth-largest oil exporter, has given more urgency in recent years to developing industry.

Sultan Al Mansouri, the Minister of Economy, told Aletihad, The National's sister paper, that Emirati investments in industry reached Dh112 billion in 2016, representing 86 per cent of total spending in the sector.

“The summit will incentivise our youth to develop more innovative thought patterns and forge out-of-the-box solutions and approaches to the current challenges, therefore helping in creating job opportunities and products conducive to reinforcing the ‘Made in UAE’ brand”, the minister said.

He said that the country as a whole is aiming to nearly double manufacturing’s share of the economy to 20 per cent by 2025 from 11 per cent currently.

mkassem@thenational.ae

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