The industrial sector generated Dh190 billion ($51.74 billion) for the UAE’s GDP last year, marking a 62% rise since 2020.

This is according to the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, who also stated that industrial exports climbed to Dh197 billion, making strong progress toward the national goal of Dh300 billion by 2031.

He made these comments at the UAE International Media Forum and the UAE Government Annual Meetings in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, which brought together the Cabinet, five federal councils, and several national and local committees.

Dr Al Jaber underscored that the world “is changing rapidly,” and the UAE needs to remain agile to adapt to these changes.

However, he said that continuous transformation and innovation are crucial to thriving in a rapidly changing global environment, Gulf News reports.

“We must stay ahead of these changes and remain flexible in navigating them,” he said. “We will develop new industries and focus on emerging sectors such as renewable energy, semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, battery production, and electric vehicles.”

Furthermore, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Omar Al Olama, affirmed that the UAE remains committed to developing and supporting talent in the artificial intelligence sector.

“We now have over 450,000 computer programmers, an increase of 376.9% compared to 2020. The UAE is among the world’s top 10 destinations for attracting AI talent, according to the Boston Consulting Group’s Global Talent Index,” he stated.

In addition, Al Olama also highlighted that the UAE has invested AED 543 billion in artificial intelligence since 2024, reflecting its drive to position itself as a global leader in the sector.

He added that upcoming initiatives include establishing a digital academy and a specialised employment platform within the digital economy, allowing people to pursue AI-focused career opportunities in the UAE.