As Abu Dhabi pursues enhanced economic development, Industry 4.0 technologies will provide businesses from all verticals newfound efficiency, effectiveness and empowerment. Their adoption will transform the emirate’s industrial sector and re-affirm its sustainability, vibrancy and success through smart manufacturing integration. In doing so, invaluable economic contributions will follow.
A key economic diversification enabler, Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector has long been nurtured as a catalyst for realising the potential of digital transformation. Over a 15-year period, $13.8 billion has been invested towards establishing robust industrial infrastructure and innovative business facilities, whilst the industrial sector alone contributed 10.7 per cent to Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP as recently as 2020.
From our perspective, AD Ports Group has been a witness to the transformative power of smart manufacturing. As one of Abu Dhabi’s key industrial facilitators, offering purpose-built economic hubs in the heart of the capital, AD Ports Group’s Economic Cities & Free Zones have welcomed a wave of new investors looking to deploy Industry 4.0 technologies and reap benefits such as maximised plant efficiency, seamless data exchange and on-time delivery.
Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) has integrated a smart manufacturing vision that aims to double the size of the Emirate’s manufacturing sector to Dh172bn ($45.5bn) by 2031 and establish it as the region’s most competitive industrial hub.
Through ADIS, Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector will continue to play a leading role in driving sustainable development across the economy and wider emirate. It’s a role that requires increased production, manufacturing and tech-based advancement. Crucially, this outcome is realistic and achievable with support from smart manufacturing, which is today as much about ensuring sustainable growth for future generations as it is about using new technologies.
From investors to industrial sector incumbents, citizens to government entities, everyone interested and invested in Abu Dhabi’s future has reason to be optimistic when smart manufacturing’s industrial sector presence expands. Smart manufacturing can streamline processes, bolster productivity, raise competitiveness, enable supply chain management, elevate safety and quality control, build future preparedness and improve business output and profits.
For smart manufacturing policies to move forward, leadership and investment is needed, which ADIS will deliver, thereby enabling new partnerships and ensuring continued industrial sector development. Under the strategy, government-backed funding will come through a smart manufacturing funding programme; Industry 4.0 technology regulations will be adopted through a smart manufacturing assessment index; and competency centres will ensure existing and future talent are equipped with essential skillsets.
Comment from The National
At AD Ports Group, we continue to invest in the infrastructure and facilities required by next-generation businesses. Existing and planned development at the port-connected industrial zones of KIZAD is enabling the creation of whole ecosystems for specific sectors, from engineered metals to 3D printing, supported by advanced digital services and world-class customer service.
Smart manufacturing will be key to supply chain success. As manufacturers streamline processes by adopting smart manufacturing processes, the incentive to increase self-sufficiency and promote domestic home-grown products will increase.
Moreover, the strategy will provide influential support, introducing a home-grown supply chain programme to enhance industrial sector resilience. The already extensive Abu Dhabi Golden List, which encourages government procurement of high-demand, locally manufactured products, will also expand; while access to foreign markets will be eased through a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA), as well as a bilateral trade agreement programme.
With smart manufacturing integration comes new possibilities for Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector and the emirate. As the influence and impact of ADIS unfolds, widespread smart manufacturing adoption will follow, presenting a raft of new economic and business benefits. These are exciting times, and we are proud to be playing our part in achieving our national ambitions.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
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THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Martin Sabbagh profile
Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East
In the role: Since January 2015
Lives: In the UAE
Background: M&A, investment banking
Studied: Corporate finance
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
Match info
Deccan Gladiators 87-8
Asif Khan 25, Dwayne Bravo 2-16
Maratha Arabians 89-2
Chadwick Walton 51 not out
Arabians won the final by eight wickets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Company%20Profile
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com