Abu Dhabi’s industrial strategy is shifting away from energy and labour intensive industries to hi-tech and knowledge-based economies.

The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) has worked to streamline regulatory and licensing processes, and more opportunities are now available for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups.

“We’re moving away from industries intense in energy and labour, to knowledge-based industries with intense know-how,” said Tariq Ahmad al-Wahedi, senior vice-president of strategy and projects at Abu Dhabi industrial investment holding company Senaat. “Innovation is major issue we need to focus on.”

Abu Dhabi’s strategy relies on promoting and fostering technological innovation to support this hi-tech aim. “One of our streams of focus is developing innovative technologies and human capabilities,” says Mohammed al-Ramahi, chief operating officer (COO) at Masdar. “This is happening through Masdar City and the Masdar institute there, which works with the private sector.”

“Vocational training and finding the right skills are an issue,” said Al-Wahedi. “We want to source these skills from the local market within 10 years.”

The strategic sectors aerospace, automotive, petrochemicals, hi-tech, food and downstream oil industries. Sanaat and the IBD are working together to create hubs with all the support and services necessary to these industries, and streamline procedures.

“Our ambition is to have a one-stop business centre, for industrial investors and stakeholders to get licenses within a reasonable time frame, even a few hours,” said Ayman Al Makkawy, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), established in 2013. “Aside from our regulatory role for free zones, and ownership and land regulations, we allocate energy and water. Our gas allocation strategy and process is in place, We do feasibility studies, look at how projects fit with our strategy and targeted sectors.”

Abu Dhabi is also looking to GCC, regional and global markets for its products.

“We’re moving towards value-added projects that don’t require subsidies and government support. The financing systems, services and transport are in place to facilitate the next wave of industrialisation,” said Al-Wahedi. “We can become hub for industry and compete with China and India, and export to North America and Europe.”