Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology. (Image source: MIITE via YouTube)

The fourth edition of Make It In The Emirates opened today in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, officially launched the conference.

“Investing in manufacturing is an investment in an advanced economy,” Al Jaber said, adding that “Every investment in the industrial sector has a multiplier effect, stimulating growth and related sectors.”

During his speech, he underscored the UAE’s success in laying strong foundations for building an effective industrial sector that supports economic diversification, which is also sustainable.

He also highlighted the importance of new technologies, especially AI, in driving industrial growth.

“We do not see artificial intelligence as just a tool or a new technology, but as a complete economic sector expected to generate over US$1.5 trillion globally by 2040,” he said.

During US President Donald Trump’s visit last week, the UAE announced the first phase of an artificial intelligence campus in Abu Dhabi, which will be the largest AI hub outside the United States.

Key statistics

Al Jaber highlighted the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology’s (MoIAT) technology transformation programme and the advanced technology adoption index, which has supported more than 500 factories with financing facilities totaling AED 4.6bn.

“We are also focusing on future industries such as renewable energy technologies, SMRs, space semiconductors, smart chips, components for AI data centres, energy storage, batteries, autonomous vehicles and equipment and construction materials and equipment.”

“The UAE industrial sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years. Industrial exports in 2024 reached AED 197bn, a 68% increase compared to 2021.”

“The UAE has expanded strategic partnerships through comprehensive economic partnership agreements (CEPA) that have enhanced market access for Emirati products and raised the country's foreign trade to over AED 5 trillion through the national in country value programme…Local spending under the programme has reached AED 347bn AED and created over 22,000 jobs for Emiratis.”

A regional industrial partnership for sustainable economic development was launched with the UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Morocco, Qatar, and Turkey, advancing supply chain integration through US$5bn in joint projects across key sectors. Following directives from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the "Make it in the Emirates" platform was enhanced to support the National Industrial Sector. This year's edition includes major projects, increasing industrial procurement opportunities from AED 143bn AED to AED 168bn over the next decade, a AED25bn rise from the previous year.

“This year's edition will feature major projects and initiatives, including first raising the value of industrial procurement opportunities from AED 143bn to AED 168bn over the next 10 years, a AED 25bn increase over last year,” Al Jaber said.

Gallium plays a vital role in numerous industries. (Image source: EGA)

Tawazun Council, aerospace and defence company RTX, and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have signed an MoU to establish EGA as a new producer of gallium, a critical mineral essential to global supply chains.

The agreement will enable the extraction and refining of gallium at EGA’s alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi, elevating the UAE to the position of the world’s second-largest gallium producer.

Gallium plays a vital role in numerous industries, from semiconductors and electric vehicles to medical devices and telecom infrastructure. In the defence sector, it is particularly significant due to its use in advanced radar systems.

The new partnership will ensure a stable and secure supply of gallium for companies such as RTX.

Tawazun Council is leading this initiative through its Tawazun Economic Programme, a national strategy focused on attracting advanced technologies, promoting knowledge transfer, and building resilient industrial capabilities.

The programme underpins the UAE’s industrial security and ensures the defence sector’s competitiveness on a global scale.

Operation 300bn

H.E. Dr. Nasser Humaid Al Nuaimi, Secretary-General of Tawazun Council, highlighted that the initiative aligns with the Council’s new 2025–2028 strategy, which emphasises strengthening the national industrial base and developing state-of-the-art infrastructure to secure technological and industrial self-sufficiency. He noted the importance of attracting high-quality investments, broadening international and local partnerships, and empowering Emirati talent.

He described the project as a key milestone in advancing the UAE’s strategic industries, and a major step in positioning the country as a global hub for gallium production a rare and strategically vital metal. Dr. Al Nuaimi underscored the project’s role in enhancing production and export capabilities, supporting the creation of a sovereign national supply base, and reinforcing the UAE’s leadership in industrial innovation.

“The aerospace and defence industry relies on stable access to rare earth elements,” said Paolo Dal Cin, senior vice president for operations and supply chain at RTX. “Today’s agreement puts us on a path towards a reliable supply of gallium, needed for production of critical aerospace and defence solutions.”

As part of the agreement, EGA and RTX plan to conduct a feasibility study for a high-purity gallium facility at EGA’s Al Taweelah alumina refinery.

This refinery converts bauxite into alumina, which is the essential raw material for aluminium production.

Gallium is naturally present in bauxite in trace amounts, and while it is considered an impurity in aluminium, it must be carefully managed to meet stringent quality requirements for advanced applications.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of EGA, said, “Gallium is an important metal for the most advanced electronics systems but remains commercially challenging to produce. This agreement between Tawazun Council, EGA, and RTX makes the development of a new source of gallium in the UAE feasible, creating an additional revenue stream for EGA and a new industrial capability for the UAE in line with our nation’s industrial growth strategy Operation 300bn. We look forward to making progress on this project with our partners.”

The visit offered a first-hand look at innovations in material science. (Image source: DAW)

The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) have reaffirmed their shared commitment to delivering sustainable, high-performance infrastructure during a strategic visit to a Polymer Resin Concrete (PRC) manufacturing facility in Qatar.

The visit offered a first-hand look at innovations in material science, quality control, and sustainable manufacturing, further highlighting DAW’s role in advancing PRC solutions within the UAE’s infrastructure landscape.

Known for their exceptional durability, resistance to corrosion, and lower environmental impact, PRC technologies are playing a growing role in raising infrastructure standards across the region.

This collaboration between MOEI and DAW underlines a joint ambition to build more resilient, efficient, and environmentally responsible infrastructure systems, aligning with national development goals and broader regional sustainability targets.

“We are committed to integrating innovative, sustainable technologies into our infrastructure projects. Our engagement with advanced materials like PRC reflects our strategic focus o building resilient, future-ready assets that meet the UAE’s long-term development visio,” the Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure stated. 

Tarek Musbah Abdulrahman, General Manager of Dar Alwd Construction (DAW), added: “At Dar Alwd Construction, we remain deeply committed to supporting the UAE’s vision for sustainable infrastructure by delivering innovative, high-performance solutions. We are proud to contribute our expertise toward building resilient, future-ready developments that align with the nation’s growth objectives”.

Polyester labels with extra-strong adhesive are used for production labels. (Image source: Brady)

A medium-sized manufacturing company, that supplies complex technologies and equipment for the food industry, faced various challenges while marking the units before they were delivered. Brady Corporation had a stellar solution.

The company was looking for a way to simply and reliably mark all of the necessary elements. These included electrical markings in the switchboards, cable markings, production labels and technology markings with inscriptions, switch markings, and descriptions for pipes and other applications in health and safety.

These labels and tags had to be ordered separately, which not only brought considerable difficulties, but also a loss of time and money. Due to the inflexibility and additional planning this method required, the company decided to search for an alternative solution – a suitable and affordable universal printer with the ability to print a wide range of markings.

The customer considered various printers, but each candidate required a compromise to the scope of all of its printing requirements, in one form or another. In the end, the manufacturer decided on Brady’s M710 Label Printer, as it offers a wide range of printing options and allows you to easily mark virtually all components of technological equipment with a single device.

Watch the M710 in action >>

Flexibility, variability and reliability

One of the main reasons for choosing the M710 Label Printer model was its extensive flexibility. This printer allows printing on a wide range of materials, including electrical markings, cable markings, printing production labels, and pipe markings.

A brief list of the most commonly used materials includes heat-shrink tubing for electrical applications, as well as tags for marking cable bundles and thick cables. Polyester labels with extra-strong adhesive are used for production labels to maximise durability and permanence, while universal extra-resistant vinyl tapes are used for marking pipes, health and safety descriptions, and various sizes of labels on technologies.

The user was delighted with the wide range of consumables that the printer can use, as it can now virtually mark its entire technological assembly. The M710’s speed and built-in knife – for cutting finished labels – and the quick and easy replacement of consumables were also praised.

Other advantages that were welcomed include the printer’s high mechanical resistance in everyday use (it can withstand falls from a height of up to 1.2m) and its long battery life, allowing it to print up to 4,500 labels when fully charged (so it can be used anywhere at the installation site).

Labels can be created directly on the printer using the built-in keyboard, on a computer using the Brady Workstation programme, or on a smartphone using the simple Express Labels application. The finished data can then be sent via a cable, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth to be printed. It can also be saved, shared, or used as a template for future label designs.

Thanks to the powerful battery, the printer can be used anywhere at the installation site, without the need for power supply on site. The practical handle provides easy portability, and the standard hard case ensures maximum protection of the device during transport.

A reliable assistant that brings many benefits

“The M710 is a truly versatile assistant. Thanks to it, we don’t have to order labels and tags in advance, we just mark any new machine in our workshop before it’s finished. Since we already have the printer here, we marked all the inventory and shelves with racks in the warehouse. Our operations technician even used it to create navigation markings in the operation and on the floors,” says the company’s workshop manager.

It is easy to understand why Brady’s M710 Label Printer has gained so many satisfied users who appreciate its simplicity, reliability, and flexibility.

Interested in DIY label- and sign-making? Download the free brochure >>

Find out more about portable label printers from Brady >>

BRADY Corporation