UAE signs deals valued at Dhs260m to manufacture medical equipment locally

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has signed couple of memoranda of understanding (MoU) worth Dhs260m between major pharmaceutical and medical devices companies in the UAE.

The partnerships are in line with the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology and the ICV Program, which aim to attract investors and manufacturers to the UAE’s pharmaceutical and medical equipment sectors, among others.

Under the partnerships, PureHealth, one of the largest healthcare providers in the UAE and a member of the ministry’s National ICV Program, will work with Abu Dhabi Medical Devices Company (ADMD), which is a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi National Industrial Projects, as well as Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) to establish a Dhs110m medical supplies production line in Abu Dhabi, according to a report published on the state news agency, WAM.

Borouge will provide raw materials while Abu Dhabi Ports Group will provide industrial land in ICAD 1 for the production of medical syringes, administration devices, and blood collection tubes,

PureHealth and Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries Company (Julphar) have also signed an MoU to establish the first factory in the Middle East to produce Glargine (the first long-acting biological alternative to insulin) for the treatment of diabetes. The Dhs150m manufacturing facility will be built in Ras Al Khaimah and will enable the UAE to obtain an insulin substitute at more competitive prices. It will also support exports to regional and global markets where there is an increasing demand for insulin substitutes.

The MoUs follow the ‘Make in the Emirates’ Forum, which was hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in May. The forum highlighted industrial investment opportunities and identify products that can be manufactured locally, including in the pharmaceutical and medical supplies sector.

Read: Make it in the Emirates Forum: UAE companies launch 300 products, allocate Dhs110bn to support manufacturing

This kind of cooperation between major national companies is a draw for international investors and manufacturers working in priority sectors. The Make it in the Emirates campaign goes hand-in-hand with the National In-Country Value (ICV) Program, in which national companies help to redirect government procurement spending into the local economy.

Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said: “These partnerships are in line with the directives of our leadership which aim to empower and stimulate sectors, enhance investment, and support the UAE’s position as a global industrial hub. The partnerships are in line with our strategic objectives and reflect the important role of the ministry’s Make it in the Emirates Forum, which identified more than 300 products that can be produced locally in priority sectors such as pharmaceuticals and medical equipment.”

He said: “These partnerships will play a significant role in boosting economic development through the National ICV Program. The ICV Program is one of the ministry’s Projects of the 50 supporting economic growth. It increases supply chain resilience and encourages companies to manufacture quality products in the UAE that can be exported globally.”

Sarah bint Youssef Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, said: “MoIAT is working under the directives of the UAE leadership to stimulate growth in priority sectors, such as medical technology and devices. The expansion of production capacity resulting from these partnerships contributes to achieving self-sufficiency and increasing global exports.”

She added: “These agreements will strengthen local supply chains and help enhance self-sufficiency in medicines and healthcare products. The memoranda of understanding also reflect efforts by major national companies and institutions to integrate and collaborate while enhancing opportunities for citizens to obtain quality jobs.”