Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has launched the Industrial Census project in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the members of the Industry Development Council, and the local statistics centers.
The project seeks to develop a comprehensive database of all establishments that practise industrial activities according to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4 Section C), including those operating in free zones, whether their licences are industrial or non-industrial.
The move is in accordance with the Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 regarding the regulation and development of industry and Ministerial Decision No. 6 of 2023 regulating the process for industrial establishments to provide MoIAT with their information.
The project is in line with directives of our leadership to develop the industrial sector in the UAE and boost its contribution to national GDP. To achieve the objectives of the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, MoIAT, in partnership with FCSC, local authorities, and freezones, plays a pivotal role in creating an enabling legislative framework that supports the industrial sector and helps to attract local and foreign investments.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, shared.
Ms. Omar Al Suwaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, commented that “as part of the project, we developed an online form jointly with FCSC and will share it with industrial companies to fill out within 60 days. The online form will request information about their businesses, such as licences, shareholders, some financial figures, R&D expenses, the number of workers, and the quantity and value of inputs in industrial production as per the Harmonised System (HS).”
According to Ms. Hanan Ahli, Director of FCSC, the importance of the Industrial Census project lies in making available accurate and up-to-date information on the status quo of our industrial companies and establishments.
The project aims to measure the industrial sector’s performance and contribution to national GDP to help upscale local industrial capabilities and promote integration between government entities and stakeholders by exchanging related information.
In addition, it will also enhance the sector’s readiness and business continuity, especially during crises, and improve the country’s ranking in international economic competitiveness indicators, including those related to food and medicine security.