Here is the sector's contribution to the GDP.
Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates, expressed the country's desire to deepen cooperation, coordination and knowledge exchange in support of the regional economy.
Speaking during the 48th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee in Bahrain, he praised the cooperation among the bloc's members as they prepare for the post-pandemic world, and said that this should remain a priority for joint Gulf action in the near future.
The focus of the event will be on efforts to integrate advanced technology, innovation, and Fourth Industrial Revolution technology into the region's industrial sector.
Delegates said that areas that include advanced technology, such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, are of particular importance for economic diversification.
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber said: "In line with the directives of our wise leadership, we always seek to enhance cooperation and coordination with our brothers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to achieve mutually beneficial results."
Positive indicators indicate the growth of the industrial sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, by providing support to the industry, increasing innovation and adopting advanced technology applications and solutions of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
"There has also been significant coordination in the priority industrial sectors to enhance their overall performance and global competitiveness."
He said that the national efforts to develop the industrial sector in the UAE through the Emirates Industrial 4.0 program aim to increase industrial productivity by 30 percent and add 25 billion dirhams ($6.80 billion) to the gross domestic product in the next ten years.
The program is considered one of the pillars of the UAE's national industrial strategy, the 300 billion process, which is in line with the national stage of growth and development in the next fifty years, and will enhance its position as an incubator for innovative ideas and future industries.
Dr. Al-Jaber said that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated efforts to improve cooperation between the GCC countries and develop strategies. He also said that this comes in parallel with the current efforts to update the document of the unified industrial development strategy for the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in a way that enhances industrial integration, accelerates the development and implementation of programs in strategic industries, and takes advantage of the strengths of each country.
The Minister expressed his hope for more coordination between member states in pursuit of common interests, especially in the field of knowledge exchange, training, research and development.
He praised the available capabilities among the Gulf states that support trade exchange between the GCC states, and encourage the private sector to raise the efficiency of its operations and the quality of its products, especially in light of the opportunities offered by the applications of the fourth. industrial Revolution.
The minister explained that achieving comprehensive industrial development in the GCC states will be reflected in enhancing production efficiency and high quality outputs.
It will also have positive social effects, from enhancing safety and security to improving services, developing economic opportunities, and increasing the sector's contribution to the GDP.
The meeting agenda included defining a set of Gulf priorities in the post-Covid world, focusing on technology-based industries, and developing common systems and policies for the industrial sector.
This includes supporting innovation centers, encouraging the establishment of joint industrial projects, and supporting local products by giving them priority in government procurement procedures.
The meeting also included an agreement to issue Gulf regulations and programs that contribute to the expansion of national projects that add value to member economies, develop plans for industrialization during health epidemics, and enhance cooperation between Gulf government agencies and industry-related departments. Exchange of experiences, information and training.
Last week, the fortieth preparatory meeting of the Undersecretaries of the Ministries of Industry was held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The attendees were briefed on a vision to enhance joint Gulf action.