WAM/ The sessions on the third day of the “Make in the UAE” platform emphasized that smart manufacturing and the next generation of artificial intelligence-enabled industries hold tremendous opportunities to accelerate advanced industries in the UAE’s environment, which is rich in opportunities and supports investments in various vital sectors. This, in turn, will enhance the quality standards, performance criteria, and excellence specifications of the “Made in the UAE” label.
In a session titled “Quality Infrastructure in the UAE and Accelerating Industrialization,” speakers discussed the unique opportunities the UAE offers to accelerate industrialization by leveraging the country’s distinguished position in the field of quality infrastructure and aligning it with global best practices, enabling the adoption of the latest smart and industrial technologies.
Her Excellency Dr. Farah Al Zarouni, Assistant Undersecretary for Standardization Affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, emphasized that aligning the UAE’s world-class quality infrastructure with its ambitions to accelerate industrialization has been a vital pillar for promoting industrial growth and accelerating the achievement of the objectives of the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (Project 300 Billion), with a focus on quality, flexibility, and keeping pace with rapid changes and transformations, based on a horizontal model that promotes openness to new and emerging innovations.
She noted that the UAE is working to institutionalize private sector participation in the development of standards, with participation reaching 45% today. She also aims to achieve a 50% participation rate by 2026. She added that the UAE currently has more than 45 representatives in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), a 50% increase over the previous year, and has exceeded 200% in the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
She stated that the UAE is the first Arab country to be a member of the IEC Governing Council, a pioneering achievement for the entire region.
Dr. Sung-Hwan Cho, President of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), considered that approved standards are the foundation of consumer confidence and a fundamental pillar of industry and its fourth generation. He pointed out that ISO standards are adopted in coordination with all relevant parties and contribute to stimulating innovation and facilitating international trade, especially since the World Trade Organization’s principles are based on compliance with international standardization standards. He emphasized that these standards have contributed to accelerating the progress of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and are driving the responsible use and adoption of artificial intelligence applications in various fields, particularly in the industrial sector. He noted that a global summit will be held next December in Seoul, Korea, to discuss standards for adopting and using artificial intelligence.
Joe Cobbs, President of the International Electrotechnical Commission, said that the IEC, which was founded in 1906, is now collaborating with countries, governments, and international organizations such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to accelerate manufacturing and its digital transformation and adopt smart standardization and certification solutions. This is done by establishing standards and metrics that are agreed upon by all parties to ensure the highest levels of industrial quality, safety, and reliability, and to facilitate their safe export and exchange across the world.
Khalfan Mohammed Al Muhairi, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa, and Exports at Borouge, emphasized the importance of standardization in cooperation and coordination with all relevant entities and stakeholders for the benefit of the end user, supporting sustainable growth in advanced manufacturing, and enhancing the quality and excellence of operational and production processes. He emphasized the compliance of the UAE industry, particularly Borouge, with both local and international standards, noting that the UAE has become a model for accelerating the adoption of global standards and criteria that support innovation and progress in various vital future sectors, particularly the acceleration of advanced manufacturing. In a keynote session, officials discussed enhancing local and international growth in the country’s chemical and petrochemical industries. Mishaal Saud Al Kindi, CEO of Ta’aziz, emphasized the pioneering model of public-private partnerships, which focuses on diversification, building new value chains, and opening the door to local and international investments to explore opportunities in the chemical industry. He noted that Ta’aziz is working on unique projects, such as a project with a capacity to produce one million tons of low-carbon ammonium and a methanol production project with a capacity of 1.8 billion tons annually. Ta’aziz contributes AED 180 billion to the UAE’s national economy and is a key player in attracting foreign direct investment to the country’s chemical industry. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, CEO of Borouge, emphasized that Borouge, which was established in 1998, currently produces more than 5 million tons of polyolefins and has continued to develop specialized products for over 25 years, including new products for the medical, automotive, and storage battery industries. He emphasized the company’s commitment to expanding its customer base and meeting their future needs for new materials in the sector, thus supporting economic and industrial diversification in the UAE.
Ahmed Al Hosani, CEO of Fertiglobe, considered the remarkable speed of implementation in the UAE’s industrial landscape and the flexibility to effectively develop regulatory frameworks to be crucial in accelerating the establishment of advanced and promising future industries in the field of chemical products and innovative fertilizers, leveraging the latest research and technology. This is especially important given the opportunities for integration within the chemical industry value chain with the integrated ecosystem that supports businesses in the UAE.
Hetal Patel, Senior Director at XRG, the international investment arm of ADNOC Group, said that the UAE is today one of the top three global destinations for advanced and specialized talent, which is positively reflected in the development of the chemical industry, especially with the UAE’s flexibility in adopting the latest applications of artificial intelligence and automation to accelerate advanced industries in the chemical sector and attract Quality investments in this vital sector and other important industrial sectors for the future.
