Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector output rose to Dh111.6 billion ($30.38 billion) in 2024, marking a 23% increase since the launch of the emirate’s industrial strategy in 2022, according to Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

In 2023, the emirate’s industrial GDP reached Dh101 billion. Over the two-year span, the number of industrial establishments grew by 19%, reaching a total of 1,104, Al Zaabi said during the Make It In The Emirates forum in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

“We work closely with the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology to contribute to Operation 300bn aiming to raise the industrial sector gross domestic product to Dh300 billion by 2031 and align with the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 Strategy,” Mr Al Zaabi commented.

Abu Dhabi’s manufacturing sector boosted its share of the UAE’s industrial gross domestic product to 53% in 2024, up from 51.3% in 2023 and 46% in 2022, he went on to add.

The emirate has maintained its momentum in diversifying away from oil, implementing various initiatives to attract global investors, enhance competitiveness, and streamline the business environment.

In 2022, Abu Dhabi introduced an industrial strategy aimed at boosting the sector’s role in the economy, committing Dh10 billion across six key programmes to more than double the emirate’s manufacturing output to Dh172 billion by 2031.

Alongside this, Abu Dhabi has outlined long-term plans to advance other strategic sectors such as tourism, aviation, and technology, with fresh investments particularly focused on artificial intelligence, The National reports.

Abu Dhabi’s economy grew by 3.8% in 2024, reaching a record high of Dh1.2 trillion, driven by sustained expansion in the non-oil sector.

According to the Department of Economic Development, manufacturing remained the leading non-oil contributor to the emirate’s GDP last year, making up 9.5% of total GDP and 17.3% of non-oil GDP.

Furthermore, Mr. Al Zaabi added that Abu Dhabi has been backing industries not only through funding but also by enhancing productivity and expanding exports.

“We help them in understating existing economic partnerships and what are the products to focus on and how to benefit from trade agreements.”

In Q1, the industrial sector maintained its growth, with new industrial licences increasing by 4.7% year-on-year to 89, according to the Department of Economic Development.

In addition, the number of industrial licences progressing from under-construction to production stage surged 65% to 33 during this period.