Largest-ever Make it in the Emirates opens in Abu Dhabi with record participation
Exhibition space and exhibitor numbers see sharp rise
ABU DHABI – The UAE’s flagship industrial platform, Make it in the Emirates 2026, opened on Monday in Abu Dhabi, marking its largest edition to date.
Held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, the event is being staged under the theme “Advanced Industry. Emerging Stronger”, signalling the country’s continued push towards building a resilient, technology-driven industrial economy.
Running from May 4 to 7, the forum brings together ministers, business leaders, investors, industrialists, innovators and youth, alongside representatives from media organisations. The gathering reflects the UAE’s growing focus on strengthening its industrial ecosystem through collaboration, investment and innovation.
Expanded scale
This year’s edition spans an exhibition area of 88,000 square metres, representing a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year. The number of exhibitors has risen to 1,245, marking a 73 per cent jump from 2025, with participation from all seven emirates.
The expanded footprint highlights the rapid growth of the platform and its increasing importance as a national and international industrial hub. It also reflects rising interest from both local and global stakeholders seeking to engage with the UAE’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.
Key sectors
Make it in the Emirates 2026 covers 12 priority industries, including advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, energy, mobility and sustainable materials. These sectors form the backbone of the UAE’s long-term industrial strategy, aimed at diversifying the economy and boosting non-oil growth.
The scale and diversity of participation underscore the country’s commitment to building an economy anchored in innovation, advanced technologies and sustainable practices.
National platform
Created to advance the UAE’s industrial ambitions, the forum serves as a national mechanism for aligning priorities, capabilities and opportunities under one platform. It enables stakeholders to explore partnerships, drive investments and accelerate industrial development.
By bringing together decision-makers and industry leaders in one place, Make it in the Emirates continues to play a central role in translating strategic goals into tangible outcomes across the country’s evolving industrial landscape.