UAE, Baden-Württemberg team up on industrial cooperation

In a step towards addressing sustainable industrial development, centered around supply chain resiliency, advanced technology and decarbonization efforts, and strengthening cooperation, the Ministry of industry & Advanced technology, UAE, and the State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, which took place in Munich, Germany.

The signatories included the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour & Tourism and the state’s Ministry of Environment, Climate Protection, and the Energy Sector.

It was signed by Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Wrttemberg, and  Thekla Walker, Minister of the Environment, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of Baden-Württemberg.

 Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology said: “The UAE actively seeks to collaborate with international partners on projects that not only support sustainable industrial development, but also contribute to global climate action. This commitment to collaboration was evident at COP28, where the UAE led on several international initiatives to increase the contribution of industry to global decarbonization targets. At COP28, the UAE launched the Industrial Decarbonization Roadmap, representing a pioneering model for reducing carbon emissions in a phased, targeted manner. The roadmap seeks to reduce emissions by 93% by 2050 through leveraging solutions such as CCUS and clean energy solutions across hard-to-abate industries. 

He added: “Building on these milestone initiatives at COP28, this latest partnership supports the objectives of Operation 300bn and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. The JDI will focus on identifying projects in the areas of sustainable industrial development, supporting technology solutions, and joint investments which will contribute to the supply chain resilience of both countries.”

Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism of Baden-Wrttemberg said: “In order to future-proof Baden-Württemberg as a globalized business and technology location with a strong automotive and supplier industry and a focus on mechanical and plant engineering, it is essential that we establish an efficient hydrogen economy. We recognized early on the immense potential that the United Arab Emirates for a wide range of economic cooperation opportunities for Baden-Württemberg’s companies. That is why we established a business representation office in the UAE in November 2022, which provides our companies with targeted support when entering the market in the UAE and the Gulf region.”

 Thekla Walker, Minister of the Environment, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of Baden-Württemberg said: “Hydrogen is the fuel for a climate-neutral industrial society. Together with strategic partners, we want to create a common market for green hydrogen. The Emirates have the best conditions for producing green hydrogen with solar energy. On the other hand, Baden-Württemberg is home to many companies and power plants that can produce climate-neutral hydrogen.”

The partnership also involves cooperation among various private and public sector entities in the UAE and the State of Baden-Württemberg to promote bilateral relations in addition to promoting green industrial investments under the Make it in the Emirates initiative.

Some of the key areas of collaboration that will be explored include a focus on AI, smart manufacturing, smart health and aerospace. The parties will also collaborate on accelerating industrialization and decarbonization initiatives in line with the UAE’s national industrial strategy, the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, as well as the goals of the Paris Agreement. The JDI will also contribute to capacity building and skill development, through joint research and internships in companies involved in priority projects.

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) was established in July 2020 to boost the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP and drive sustainable industrial development. The ministry was formed by combining the Office of the Minister of State for Advanced Technology, the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA), and the industrial department of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.

MoIAT is responsible for formulating policies, laws, and programs that attract foreign direct investment, enhance national added value, support entrepreneurship, create jobs, attract talents, upskill national cadres, promote exports and raise the competitiveness of products manufactured in the UAE. To achieve these objectives, MoIAT has created an advanced national quality infrastructure system.

MoIAT leverages its expertise, capabilities, and resources to strengthen the national industrial ecosystem by facilitating the establishment of industrial zones, promoting the adoption of advanced technologies and the integration of Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions and enabling the growth of priority sectors as well as industries of the future. The ministry’s work contributes to national efforts to build a diversified, knowledge-based economy and achieve industrial self-sufficiency.