The UAE has emphasised the importance of GCC cooperation to enhance the performance of the region’s industrial sector.

At the 48th meeting of the GCC Industrial Cooperation Committee in Bahrain, Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, expressed the UAE’s desire to deepen cooperation, coordination and knowledge exchange in support of the GCC’s economy, especially in the efforts to integrate advanced technology, innovation and 4IR technologies into its industrial sector.

“There are positive signs for the growth of the GCC’s industrial sector by supporting innovation and the adoption of advanced technology applications and 4IR solutions, especially in joint industrial projects. Also, coordinated efforts in priority industrial sectors will enhance their overall performance and global competitiveness.”

He explained that the national efforts to develop the UAE’s industrial sector through the UAE Industry 4.0 programme are designed to increase industrial productivity by 30 per cent and add AED25 billion ($6.81 billion) to the GDP in the next 10 years.

The programme is a key pillar of UAE’s national industrial strategy, Operation 300Bn, which is in line with the “Projects of the 50” initiative that will chart the next 50 years of growth and development in the UAE. The strategy will enhance the nation’s position as an incubator of innovative ideas and future industries.

Dr Al Jaber also commended the cooperation between GCC countries as they prepared for a post-pandemic world, which ought to remain a top priority for joint Gulf action in the coming period.

The delegates noted that the industrial sector will be a key focus due to its significance to economic diversification, particularly the sectors that incorporate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the internet of things (IoT). The discussions also focused on the development of regulations, policies and laws, and the support for local products.

Dr 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 GCC to achieve mutually beneficial results.”

He pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated efforts to improve collaboration across the GCC and develop future strategies. This comes in parallel with current efforts to update the GCC Unified Industrial Strategy document in a way that enhances industrial integration, accelerates the development and implementation of programmes in strategic industries, and utilises each country’s strengths.

Dr Al Jaber expressed his hope for more coordination between member states in the pursuit of common interests, especially in the areas of knowledge exchange, training, and research and development.

He also noted the available capabilities in the GCC that support increased trade exchange between member states, just as they have encouraged the private sector to increase its breadth of production, especially in light of the opportunities presented by the applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.