Emirates News Agency – Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, Tawazun, Thales launch ‘Go to UAE’ program to boost country’s export capabilities

ABU DHABI, 1st June, 2023 (WAM) — With the support of the Ministry and advanced technologies, Thales has launched a new initiative to promote UAE-made hallmark products and expertise globally, and to Develop a locally skilled talent pool as part of the Make it in the Emirates programme.
Launched on day 2 of the Make it in the Emirates forum, the initiative is carried out in cooperation with the Tawazun Council and is supported by MoIAT. It also helps Thales fulfill its obligations under the Tawazun Economic Plan.
The Thales program, called Go to UAE, aims to have an industrial footprint by starting to develop local suppliers for local and export needs through a series of international certifications for technologies, parts and services. These industry-recognized certifications will enable domestic suppliers to export UAE-made parts and services to Thales Group entities globally.
The Mohammed Al Kaabi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Tawazun Council, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the Go UAE initiative in the presence of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, and Dr. Jamal.
The MoU was signed by Osama Amir Fadel, Assistant Undersecretary for Industrial Accelerators at MOIAT, Muammar Abusheab, Head of Defense and Security Industry Affairs, Tawazun Council, and Bernard Roux, CEO of Thales Emarat Technologies.
Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), commented: “The UAE’s growing reputation as a global industrial hub attracts business from major companies. GO to UAE proves that the UAE is a fertile ground for industrial investors to base themselves on Ideal location. MoIAT remains committed to supporting local industrial companies to meet global standards to help further boost exports. The UAE is seen as a manufacturer of quality products to international standards and we hope to collaborate with all walks of life as we pursue our goals of economic and sustainable industrial growth companies across industries to build further partnerships.”
As part of the initiative, Thales will develop a comprehensive training and development program aimed at supporting UAE suppliers to improve their performance and competitiveness.
UAE suppliers will benefit from the program by integrating opportunities within Thales’ global supply chain, and will also be able to leverage this relationship and their industry position when promoting their business activities to wider export markets.
The new program was launched by Thales at the second UAE Forum, held over two days at the Abu Dhabi Energy Centre. The forum, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Department of Economy and ADNOC, brings together the largest industrial companies and movers in the UAE to share their procurement plans and significant investment opportunities, and discuss how these can be translated into local manufacturing investment opportunities. Participating companies prioritize local products and invest in UAE manufacturing and production through innovative programs such as Thales’ GO to UAE.
Commenting on the MoU, His Excellency Dr. Jamal Mohammed Al Kaabi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Tawazun Council, said: It plays a vital role in achieving the objectives of the Tawazun Economic Plan. “
“This initiative has a dual purpose, it makes a significant contribution to domestic value programs, enhances local manufacturing capabilities, and fosters the development of indigenous expertise. In addition, it will create significant skilled job opportunities and enhance the entire defense supply chain capacity of UAE citizens,” he added.
Roque Carmona, Senior Vice President, Chief Procurement, Thales Group, said: “Make it in the Emirates Forum directly supports the UAE’s economic diversification strategy and the country’s efforts to enhance the competitiveness of its national industry. This transfer of technological knowledge and skills enhancement will benefit The country seeks to increase sovereignty, localize essential manufacturing and create high-skilled jobs. The UAE’s industrial ecosystem makes it an ideal country to establish such programs”
“As part of these efforts, we are proud to launch our GO to UAE program and leverage our expertise and global reach to enhance the prospects of UAE companies across the supply chain.” he added.
The new partnership works in tandem with Thales Emarat Technologies (TET), part of the Tawazun Economic Initiative, which aims to assist sustainable technology transfer and support the creation of local jobs and careers in the country. Through TET, Thales, in line with its ambitious future plans, is providing the UAE with unique sovereign technological capabilities that will support and facilitate the UAE’s exports to the world.