Qatar and Turkey join regional Integrated Industrial Partnership

The fifth meeting of the Higher Committee for Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development held in Doha.

The meetings of the Higher Committee announced the accession of Qatar and Turkey to the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, increasing the number of member states to seven within just three years of the partnership’s launch.

This significant addition enhances the strategic development of the partnership, which originated in Abu Dhabi in 2022, and reflects the shared ambition of member countries to improve industrial integration, strengthen cooperation, and build a resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy.

The meeting was attended by several key officials, including: Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry in the State of Qatar; Yarub Falah Al Qudah, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel Al Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport in the Arab Republic of Egypt; Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce in the Kingdom of Bahrain; Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Kingdom of Morocco; and Mehmet Fatih Kaçir, Minister of Industry and Technology of the Republic of Turkey.

The inclusion of Qatar and Turkey marks a pivotal advancement in regional industrial integration. Their accession supports the partnership’s objectives for industrial growth and expansion, bringing new momentum due to Qatar’s abundant natural resources and technological advancements, as well as Turkey’s robust industrial capabilities.

Both countries are recognised for their strengths in various sectors, including manufacturing industries, renewable energy, textiles and ready-made garments, pharmaceutical industries, chemical fertilisers and phosphates, mining and minerals, and food industries.

During the meeting, several agreements were signed, and strategic projects valued at over US$2 billion were announced, aimed at enhancing collaboration among member countries in critical sectors such as metals, pharmaceuticals, and plastic industries. These initiatives also prioritise the development of healthy food industries, biotechnology innovation, and advancements in electrical and high-tech industries.

Key announcements included a raw material supply agreement between Bahrain Steel and Qatar, valued at $1.3 billion. This agreement will facilitate the supply of 5 million metric tons of raw materials over the course of five years.

Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the UAE’s ISC Capital and Bahrain’s Peninsula farms to establish a sustainable microalgae production facility in the Kingdom, with an investment of $10 million. This project aims to advance microalgae production technology and provide industrial and medical solutions, aligning with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. Furthermore, it is expected to create job opportunities in areas such as research, agriculture, extraction, laboratory work, and production, contributing to the local economy and workforce development.

Another significant announcement involved Egypt’s Giza Cable Accessories‘s plan to establish a new facility in the UAE dedicated to producing cable accessories and electrical connectors, with an investment of nearly US$7 million.

Additional agreements were finalised for the supply of PET plastic containers from Jordan’s Exceed Industries and plastic caps from Egypt’s Delta El Nile to UAE’s Hayatna - National Dairy, each valued at US$10 million. Furthermore, a $15 million agreement was signed for the supply of animal feed from the UAE’s National Feed Factory (NFFM) to Qatar’s Al Rayyan Horse Essentials.

In the pharmaceutical sector, key agreements included a collaboration between the UAE’s Globalpharma and Morocco’s Zenith Pharma to manufacture, licence, and transfer technology in areas such as injectable medications, biologics, and treatments for cholesterol and diabetes. This partnership, with an investment exceeding $50 million, aims to strengthen regional pharmaceutical security and enhance the capacity for local production of medical solutions.

To enhance regional investments, the UAE’s Mubadala Investment Company has announced the acquisition of two factories – Adwia Pharmaceuticals in Egypt and PHI in Morocco. This move significantly bolsters Mubadala’s pharmaceutical investments on both a regional and global scale.

Additionally, a MoU was signed between Morocco’s Dolidol and the UAE’s Intercoil. This collaboration aims to expand manufacturing capabilities for mattresses and foam production in the UAE.

During the Higher Committee meetings, a comprehensive review of the partnership’s achievements was conducted. Omar Al Suwaidi, Secretary-General of the tripartite higher committee and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in the UAE, presented a detailed report outlining the outcomes, which included the successful implementation of strategic projects and support for vital sectors across member countries. The meeting also provided updates on ongoing projects and discussed the future work plan, aimed at further enhancing regional cooperation and contributing to sustainable development.

Member countries reviewed their competitive advantages, which include advanced infrastructure, supportive policies, and investment incentives designed for investors. They highlighted promising investment opportunities in strategic sectors, demonstrating the commitment of the partnership’s countries to attract industrial investments and create a favourable investment environment that fosters regional economic integration.

Four industrial companies were honoured by the attending ministers for their significant contributions in supporting the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development: The UAE’s Global Pharma and Jordan’s Savvy Pharma were recognised for their outstanding efforts in pharmaceutical research and development among member countries. Emirates Steel and Bahrain Steel were acknowledged for their essential role in the supply of raw materials, as agreed in the previous Higher Committee meeting held in Bahrain in January 2024.

Dr. Al Jaber began his speech by extending greetings from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and conveying his wishes for continued success in achieving the shared goals of the partnership’s countries. He emphasised that this partnership embodies a unified vision focused on enhancing sustainable economic development and strengthening complementary relations among member countries by leveraging their competitive advantages and the significant potential of the partnership.

Dr Al Jaber also expressed his gratitude to Qatar for hosting the fifth Higher Committee meeting and welcomed the inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye into the partnership, highlighting their roles in advancing the collective goals of the initiative.

Dr. Al Jaber said, “We welcome the inclusion of Qatar and Türkiye in the Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development, and we are confident that this step will bolster the common interests of all members, especially considering the industrial and economic standing of both countries. Their extensive track record of success across various sectors, particularly in the industrial field, plays a crucial role in supporting investment opportunities both regionally and globally.”

He also expressed gratitude to the Executive Committee and the working teams from the member countries for their dedicated efforts in overseeing the implementation of work plans, reviewing the latest project developments, and organising workshops for the private sector. He noted that these efforts have led to tangible progress in achieving the partnership’s objectives and fostering cooperation among member countries.

Dr. Al Jaber added, “The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development is a remarkable success story that began in Abu Dhabi in May 2022. It has already transformed several agreements signed during previous meetings into tangible projects that we are now witnessing come to fruition. We are pleased to observe today the announcement of several new projects and agreements in key priority sectors, valued at over US$2 billion.”

He emphasised that these projects contribute to the integration of expertise and capabilities among the partnership’s countries, helping to build a sustainable common industrial base by leveraging each country’s competitive advantages.

Furthermore, these initiatives support supply chain resilience, reduce production costs, foster research and development, enhance the qualification of national competencies, and create thousands of job opportunities. Ultimately, they contribute to achieving the strategic goals of the partnership while fostering industrial growth and regional cooperation.

Sheikh Al Thani said, “The Integrated Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic development represents a strategic step towards enhancing industrial collaboration and integration among our countries by aligning key industrial sectors and establishing joint initiatives that contribute to improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the industrial sector.”

He added, “Qatar joining the partnership is a significant leap that reflects our strong commitment to enhancing industrial cooperation within the region. We are confident that this partnership will play a fundamental role in supporting sustainable development efforts by providing outstanding investment opportunities and fostering cooperation within the private sector.

Moreover, Qatar’s substantial economic potential and smart infrastructure will be instrumental in achieving the partnership’s objectives and accelerating economic growth.”