Back to all economy news

UAE unveils Dhs180bn in industrial opportunities as Dr Sultan Al Jaber highlights resilience

The announcement raises the value of industrial procurement opportunities under the programme from Dhs168bn to Dhs180bn over the next decade

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

05 May, 2026

UAE unveils Dhs180bn in industrial opportunities as Dr Sultan Al Jaber highlights resilience
Image: WAM

TT

16

The UAE unveiled Dhs180bn ($49bn) in new industrial procurement opportunities on Monday as it sought to deepen local manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, with officials framing industrial expansion as central to economic resilience amid regional instability.

Speaking at the opening of the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates, Industry and Advanced Technology Minister Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber said the new opportunities would support efforts to localise more than 5,000 products across sectors tied to economic, food and healthcare security, reported state news agency, WAM.

The announcement raises the value of industrial procurement opportunities under the programme from Dhs168bn to Dhs180bn over the next decade.

The event comes after what Dr Al Jaber described as a challenging three-month period for the region, as conflict and disruptions to trade routes have heightened concerns over supply chains and economic security.

“Economic security cannot be imported, it must be built and protected,” Dr Al Jaber said, adding that disruptions to strategic maritime corridors posed risks to the global economy.

Referring to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil shipments passes, Dr Al Jaber said freedom of navigation was “non-negotiable” and warned against any disruption to international waterways.

OPEC and OPEC+ exit

Al Jaber also said the UAE was repositioning itself in global energy markets and referred to what he described as the country’s decision to exit OPEC and OPEC+ as a strategic move aligned with its long-term economic goals, WAM reported.

“It is a carefully considered strategic decision and is not directed against anyone, any country, or institution,” Al Jaber said. “It serves our national interests and long-term strategic objectives, aligns with our industrial, economic, and developmental ambitions, and gives us greater ability to accelerate investment, expand, and create value.”

UAE’s industrial sector major contributor to economy

The UAE’s industrial sector contributed Dhs200bn to the economy, up 70 per cent since 2021, while industrial exports reached Dhs262bn, including Dhs92bn in advanced industrial exports, Dr Al Jaber said.

He credited growth partly to the National In-Country Value Program, which aims to channel spending into local manufacturing and job creation, WAM reported.

The announcement follows ADNOC’s separate “Make it with ADNOC” forum, where the state oil company announced more than Dhs200bn in project awards over the next two years and launched its Local+ initiative to connect contractors with Emirati manufacturers.

Al Jaber also said the UAE was accelerating the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, describing AI as an “industrial brain” that would improve efficiency and decision-making across factories.

He said the country was positioning itself as a global manufacturing and investment hub by combining energy resources, technology and industrial capacity.

“The economies of the future will be built on three foundations: energy that powers, technology that thinks, and industry that produces,” Dr Al Jaber said.

Two injured in attack on residential building in Oman’s Bukha

Incident in Musandam governorate leaves expatriates hurt and vehicles damaged as authorities launch investigation

Gulf Business
Gulf Business

04 May, 2026

Two injured in attack on residential building in Oman’s Bukha

TT

16

Two expatriates have been injured following an attack on a residential building in northern Oman, according to the Oman News Agency.

A security source said the building, which houses company employees in the Tibat area of the Wilayat of Bukha, was targeted in the incident.

The Wilayat of Bukha is located in the Musandam governorate, a strategic peninsula overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, which has been the centre of regional tensions amid the Iran war on Monday.

The attack resulted in what were described as moderate injuries to the two expatriates. Four vehicles were also damaged, while windows in a nearby house were shattered.

Authorities have not disclosed the nature of the attack or the identities of those injured.

Omani officials confirmed that an investigation is underway, with relevant authorities working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

They reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both citizens and residents, amid heightened regional tensions impacting parts of the Gulf.

UAE schools, universities return to distance learning weeks after reopening

The move comes just weeks after schools across the UAE welcomed students back to classrooms on April 20

Nida Sohail
Nida Sohail

04 May, 2026

UAE schools, universities return to distance learning weeks after reopening

TT

16

The UAE Ministry of Education has announced the implementation of distance learning from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, until Friday, May 8, 2026, affecting students, teachers, and administrative staff across nurseries and all public and private schools nationwide.

“This measure is being taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the educational community,” the authority said, adding that the situation will be reviewed on Friday, May 8, 2026, with a possible extension if required, according to its official Instagram account.

The temporary transition marks a coordinated national response aimed at maintaining educational continuity while prioritising safety across all school levels.

Universities also transition to remote learning

In a parallel move, the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on May 4 announced the temporary shift to remote learning across all higher education institutions in the country, effective from Tuesday, May 5, 2026, through Friday, May 8, 2026.

This measure is part of regulatory actions aimed at ensuring the continuity of the educational process with efficiency and flexibility, a WAM report said. Priority academic programmes that require clinical training, laboratory use, direct practical or field-based application, or in-person examinations are exempt; such programmes will continue with face-to-face instruction, as determined by the ministry.

Move comes weeks after return to in-person schooling

The decision comes shortly after schools across the UAE welcomed students back to classrooms on April 20, when in-person learning resumed following comprehensive readiness and safety planning.

Ahead of that reopening, the Ministry of Education completed specialised training for teaching and administrative staff to ensure a safe transition. Operational arrangements, including school transport services, were implemented under strict safety standards, while school buildings underwent rigorous safety evaluations. Detailed guidelines were also issued to support both academic readiness and psychological wellbeing among students and staff.

Drone strike triggers fire at Fujairah oil zone, authorities say

Civil defence teams respond as officials urge public to rely on verified information

Gareth van Zyl
Gareth van Zyl

04 May, 2026

Drone strike triggers fire at Fujairah oil zone, authorities say

TT

16

A fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industry Zone (FOIZ) on Monday following a drone strike originating from Iran, authorities in the emirate said.

In a statement, Fujairah’s Media Office confirmed that specialised teams were deployed immediately to contain the blaze after the incident.

Civil defence units “began dealing with the incident without delay and continue their efforts to bring it under control,” the statement said.

Subsequently, authorities further announced that three individuals of Indian nationality sustained moderate injuries amid the attacks.

The development comes amid the UAE issuing fresh missile alerts, for the first time amid the current ceasefire.

Authorities urged the public not to circulate unverified information and to rely solely on official sources for updates.

UAE on high alert as NCEMA flags active missile threat

While no specific locations or impact zones were disclosed, the activation of air defence systems highlights heightened precautionary measures

Rajiv Pillai
Rajiv Pillai

04 May, 2026

UAE on high alert as NCEMA flags active missile threat
Image: Getty Images/Image for illustrative purpose

TT

16

The UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) has issued a fresh public safety alert, warning of an active missile threat being intercepted by the country’s air defence systems, marking the second official advisory released on Monday following earlier ceasefire-related updates.

Read more: JUST IN: UAE air defences intercept fresh wave of missiles and drones on May 5

In a post published on X, NCEMA said: “Air defenses are now dealing with a missile threat. Please remain in a safe place and follow the warnings and updates on official websites.”

View post on X

The alert signals an escalation in real-time security developments, with authorities urging residents and businesses across the UAE to stay indoors and rely exclusively on official communication channels for updates.

The latest advisory comes just hours after an earlier notification, UAE residents received on their phone, tied to ceasefire developments, underscoring the fluid nature of the regional security environment and its potential implications for public safety and operational continuity.

While no specific locations or impact zones were disclosed, the activation of air defence systems highlights heightened precautionary measures being undertaken at a national level.

Amazon opens up its logistics network to other businesses in new growth push

Amazon also offers distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping services, allowing companies to take advantage of its speedy two-to-five-day delivery timelines

Reuters
Reuters

04 May, 2026

Amazon opens up its logistics network to other businesses in new growth push

TT

16

Article Summary
Amazon is opening its sophisticated supply chain network to external businesses, directly competing with established logistics firms like UPS and FedEx. "Amazon Supply Chain Services" offers warehousing, distribution, and delivery across all sales channels. Procter & Gamble and 3M are early adopters. This move mirrors the successful Amazon Web Services model, potentially intensifying competition on pricing and speed.

Amazon.com is giving other businesses access to its supply chain network that has powered the e-commerce behemoth’s operations for decades, pitting it directly against logistics heavyweights such as UPS and FedEx.

The tech giant’s “Amazon Supply Chain Services” will allow companies across industries, such as retail, healthcare and manufacturing, to use its supply chain network to move, store and deliver everything from raw materials to final products.

By opening up the service that has also supported thousands of independent third-party sellers worldwide, Amazon is tapping into a new growth opportunity for its e-commerce unit.

Its fleet of more than 100 cargo planes, and a vast network of warehouses and sorting hubs could make Amazon a key playerin an industry long dominated by FedEx and UPS, potentially intensifying competition on pricing and speed.

Shares of FedEx and UPS fell 1.8 per cent and 1.5 per cent, respectively, in premarket trading.

Amazon also offers distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping services, allowing companies to take advantage of its speedy two-to-five-day delivery timelines, and warehousing and inventory forecasting capabilities.

Companies can use these solutions across all their sales channels, including their own website, social media channels, and physical stores, Amazon said.

Amazon said consumer goods major Procter & Gamble, industrial heavyweight 3M and apparel firm American Eagle Outfitters have already signed up for the supply chain services.

The move also takes a leaf out of Amazon’s cloud computing unit’s playbook – Amazon Web Services was launched in 2006 to revamp the company’s own IT infrastructure, and it later evolved into the world’s biggest cloud services provider.

More news in economy