UAE launches industrial census project

The UAE has launched a census project aimed at creating a comprehensive database of all establishments that practice industrial activities.

It will also include those operating in free zones, whether their licences are industrial or non-industrial.

The project will be implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the members of the Industry Development Council, and the local statistics centres.

As part of the initiative, MoIAT will provide industrial companies and establishments with a reliable and flexible mechanism to participate in the census and submit their information.

The project will help create new investment opportunities for manufacturers, investors, and company owners, as well as help decision makers track, assess and enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector.

It's 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 boost the growth and competitiveness of national industries.

"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," said Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of the Industry Development Council.

As part of the project, MoIAT has 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 licences, 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).

Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, 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.

The project aims to measure the industrial sector’s performance and contribution to national GDP to help upscale local industrial capabilities and promote integration between government entities and stakeholders by exchanging related information.

It will also improve the sector’s readiness and business continuity, especially during crises, and enhance the UAE’s ranking in international economic competitiveness indicators, including those related to food and medicine security.

"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," explained Hanan Ahli, Director of FCSC.

Join the Industrial Census project by scanning the QR code ⬇️, or visiting our website https://t.co/gGd7DRe92h and help shape the future of #UAE's industrial sector #MakeItInTheEmirates pic.twitter.com/bOu4gx0lwL

— وزارة الصناعة والتكنولوجيا المتقدمة (@MoIATUAE) January 30, 2023