Abu Dhabi Exports Office (ADEX) has deployed the first tranche of financing under its AED1 billion export financing partnership with Emirates Development Bank, marking a major step in the UAE’s push to strengthen industrial localization and export competitiveness.
The announcement was made during Make it in the Emirates 2026, where officials highlighted the growing role of financing in supporting the country’s transition toward a production-driven economy.
The initial tranche, valued at AED367 million, has been allocated to eight UAE-based companies operating across strategic sectors, including advanced manufacturing, healthcare, renewable energy, and food security.
The funding aims to help domestic manufacturers expand production capacity, improve export readiness, and strengthen their participation in global supply chains.
Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi said the partnership represents a strategic step in strengthening the UAE’s export financing ecosystem.
“By aligning our capabilities, we are enabling manufacturers to access integrated financial solutions that support their growth beyond domestic markets, while enhancing supply chain resilience and providing essential short-term liquidity,” he said.
The broader AED1 billion framework combines EDB’s industrial financing mandate with ADEX’s export expertise to create integrated financing solutions across the export lifecycle, including working capital support, liquidity management, and export readiness financing.
The initiative reflects the government’s growing focus on expanding non-oil exports and strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities under the UAE’s industrial diversification strategy.
Khalil Al Mansoori said the deployment of the first tranche demonstrates progress toward operationalizing a more integrated export financing structure.
“Through directing capital towards high-potential national manufacturers, we help strengthen export competitiveness and advance the localization of priority industries,” he said.
The financing programme also aligns closely with the UAE’s broader In-Country Value strategy, which aims to deepen local supply chains, increase industrial self-sufficiency, and improve long-term economic resilience.
Officials said the framework goes beyond traditional financing by supporting manufacturers throughout the production and export process, allowing companies to scale more efficiently and compete internationally.
ADEX’s participation at Make it in the Emirates also included meetings with industrial partners and investors to strengthen regional and global industrial partnerships focused on supply chain security and long-term economic growth.
The initiative comes as Gulf economies increasingly prioritize industrial production, export development, and manufacturing localization amid evolving global trade dynamics and supply chain disruptions.
Industry analysts say access to specialized export financing is becoming increasingly important for manufacturers seeking to scale internationally, particularly in capital-intensive sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and renewable energy.
The latest deployment further reinforces the UAE’s ambition to position itself as a regional manufacturing and export hub supported by integrated industrial financing, advanced infrastructure, and strategic public-private partnerships.
With inputs from WAM
