The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) recently unveiled the Industrial Census Project (ICP), in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the members of the Industry Development Council, and the local statistics centers.
Industry sources added that the project’s core focus is to create a comprehensive database of all establishments that practice industrial activities according to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4 – Section C), including those operating in free zones, whether their licenses are industrial or non-industrial.
Industry sources were quick to confirm that it was announced at a press conference organized by MoIAT in Abu Dhabi. As part of the project, MoIAT will provide industrial companies and establishments with a reliable and flexible mechanism to participate in the census and submit their information.
This whole initiative is in line with the Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 regarding the regulation and development of industry and Ministerial Decision No. 6 of 2023 regulating the process for industrial establishments to provide MoIAT with their information.
Industry sources also confirmed that the project will aid in focussing new investment opportunities for manufacturers, investors, and owners of industrial companies, as well as help decision makers track, assess, and enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector and inform related future policies and decisions that make the sector flexible.
The project is in line with the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, Operation 300 billion, which aims to help create a business environment that attracts local and international investments in the industrial sector and boosts the growth and competitiveness of national industries.
His Excellency Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the Industry Development Council, said: “The project is in line with directives of our leadership to develop the industrial sector in the UAE and boost its contribution to national GDP. To achieve the objectives of the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, MoIAT, in partnership with FCSC, local authorities, and free zones, plays a pivotal role in creating an enabling legislative framework that supports the industrial sector and helps to attract local and foreign investments.”
His Excellency added: “As accurate data plays an important role in increasing the country’s global competitiveness, the Industrial Census project is a key step in developing a centralized national database for the industrial sector. The project supports efforts to build a knowledge-based economy that promotes innovation, research and development (R&D), and future growth opportunities. It will also contribute to the adoption of circular economy principles, help integrate producers and manufacturers in the national economy ecosystem and promote the growth of local supply chains.”
His Excellency commented: “Developing a comprehensive, reliable and up-to-date industrial database will help us provide suppliers and manufacturers will scientific analysis to help develop a comprehensive picture of the current landscape and a view of potential future challenges. It will also help us identify SMEs that require government support, as well as ways to enhance their competitiveness in local, regional and global markets.”
His Excellency Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “As part of the project, we developed an online form jointly with FCSC and will share it with industrial companies, including those in free zones, to fill out within 60 days. The online form will request information about their businesses, such as licenses, shareholders, some financial figures, R&D expenses, number of workers, and the quantity and value of inputs in industrial production as per the Harmonized System (HS).
He also stressed that the privacy of the information submitted through the form will be maintained, and the curated database will only be used for the analytical research.”
Her Excellency Hanan Ahli, Director of FCSC, said: “The UAE leadership is committed to developing the industrial sector as a main contributor to our national economy. The importance of the Industrial Census project lies in making available accurate and up-to-date information on the status quo of our industrial companies and establishments. In turn, this informs the decision-making process and helps the government launch targeted initiatives and projects that enable the industrial sector and increase its share in the country’s non-oil GDP, which accounted for 11% in the first nine months of 2022.”
She added: “The outcomes of the census will help improve the UAE’s performance and rating in international industrial reports and indicators. In 2021, the UAE ranked first in the Arab region and 19th globally in the investment in emerging technologies indicator, according to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index report, published by INSEAD, the business school for the world. It also scored first regionally and 19th globally in the per capita manufacturing exports indicator, according to the Competitive Industrial Performance Index 2022 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Moreover, as per the labor force survey conducted by FCSC in 2021, the industrial sector employs 28.3% of local and resident workers in the UAE.”
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