When a product is described as “homemade”, the suggestion is that it is made with care and skill. In the UAE, several recent announcements that more citizens are to take up high-tech manufacturing jobs in the near future shows that the country is making a serious commitment to expanding its “homemade” industrial and technical base.
This week, jet engine maintenance specialist Sanad, an Abu Dhabi business owned by Mubadala Investment Company said its new aircraft engines overhaul deal with Pratt & Whitney would more than double its workforce and create more than 1,000 new jobs in Abu Dhabi, providing high-tech roles for Emiratis.
Similarly, Thales Emarat Technologies, a defence and technology firm, this week said it aimed to double its workforce this year to 340 people, with 30 per cent of the new hires to be Emiratis. Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice-president of international development at Thales, told The National that the company is also working with local universities to source Emirati talent, mainly engineers, for high-tech jobs.
These developments come amid a string of high-profile contracts signed with local companies at Idex 2025, the Middle East’s biggest defence and security expo that was held recently in the UAE capital. Over five days, the UAE awarded 55 defence contracts worth Dh25.15 billion ($6.8 billion). Close to 70 per cent of these were awarded to local companies.
A look behind these impressive numbers reveals not a collection of unrelated developments and deals but a well-established national plan to transform the economy and enable the country’s talent base. For example, last May it was announced that the UAE’s industrial sector would receive an additional Dh23 billion ($6.3 billion) in funding, backed by major companies. Another example of prioritising “homemade” industry is the UAE’s Operation 300 Billion strategy that seeks to increase the contribution of the domestic industrial sector to the country's gross domestic product to Dh300 billion by 2031.
The positive ripple effects as a result of this embrace of domestic manufacturing, development and engineering are many. As well as creating the next generation of highly skilled citizens through Emiratisation, it reduces the country’s reliance on foreign suppliers for critical equipment, it drives research and development in cutting-edge technology and reduces vulnerability to geopolitical pressures on international supply chains. Somewhat counter-intuitively, it also helps to build better foreign partnerships.
The more that significant companies like France’s Thales and America’s Pratt & Whitney invest in UAE talent, the more their expertise will inform the development of the domestic industrial sector
The more that significant companies like France’s Thales and America’s Pratt & Whitney invest in UAE talent, the more their expertise will inform the development of the domestic industrial sector. This is a practical partnership in which all sides benefit. As UAE companies and specialists develop more and better products, the export market fuelled by such innovations will also bring the country into a closer working relationship with foreign governments and other overseas customers.
This week’s developments show that the UAE is in the process of building a robust, Emirati-focused manufacturing sector to ensure future prosperity and resilience. That this can be achieved with the right foreign partnerships is testament to the country’s agile approach to business. But Emirati technology and products that come with the “homemade” tag could be a gamechanger for the UAE economy and the wider region.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
Indoor Cricket World Cup
Venue Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE squad Saqib Nazir (captain), Aaqib Malik, Fahad Al Hashmi, Isuru Umesh, Nadir Hussain, Sachin Talwar, Nashwan Nasir, Prashath Kumara, Ramveer Rai, Sameer Nayyak, Umar Shah, Vikrant Shetty
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
Scoreline:
Manchester City 1
Jesus 4'
Brighton 0
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
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
Profile
Company name: Jaib
Started: January 2018
Co-founders: Fouad Jeryes and Sinan Taifour
Based: Jordan
Sector: FinTech
Total transactions: over $800,000 since January, 2018
Investors in Jaib's mother company Alpha Apps: Aramex and 500 Startups
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
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
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
