The United Arab Emirates is playing a pivotal role in enhancing industrial cooperation among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries through participation in ministerial meetings in Bahrain. These meetings, which took place from October 6 to 8, focused on strengthening regional industrial collaboration, improving supply-chain resilience, and fostering new investment and partnership opportunities. The UAE delegation, led by Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, actively engaged in discussions at the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee and the Ministerial Committee for Standardization Affairs.
Key priorities for the UAE include deeper industrial integration within the GCC, leveraging advanced technologies and artificial intelligence, and increasing private-sector participation in regional industrial projects. The meetings were held alongside the Made in GCC Forum and Exhibition 2026, emphasizing cooperation in industry, standards, and metrology. These discussions aimed to bolster the competitiveness of Gulf industries by integrating the capabilities of member countries and developing more cohesive regional value chains.
UAE companies showcased their national products and industrial technologies at the event, creating avenues for cooperation in manufacturing, investment, technology, and supply chains. A significant focus was placed on the role of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in enhancing industrial productivity and competitiveness. Additionally, the meetings covered topics such as industrial financing, innovation, infrastructure, and supply-chain resilience. Multiple memorandums of understanding are anticipated to be signed between UAE entities and GCC companies, signaling a commitment to expanding industrial partnerships.
The UAE’s industrial sector has shown robust growth, with exports reaching Dh260 billion in 2025, including Dh92 billion in medium- and high-technology industrial exports. The National In-Country Value (ICV) Programme has significantly contributed to the economy, redirecting over Dh473 billion to support local companies and strengthen domestic supply chains.
The UAE’s active participation in these Bahrain meetings underscores its broader objective of cultivating stronger industrial ties across the GCC. This initiative aims to develop a more integrated and competitive regional industrial sector, positioning the Gulf as a formidable player in the global industrial landscape.