Abu Dhabi has identified 23 opportunities for investment in medical and pharmaceutical industries with the aim of spurring local production and pushing for self-sufficiency in the healthcare sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Of the 23 industrial opportunities, 14 are investments in new areas of production such as face shields, medical gloves and antibiotics, the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) told reporters in a virtual conference on Sunday. The nine remaining areas are to develop existing industries such as medical gases, surgical masks and medical beds.
The 23 areas of investment were identified after studying the gap between local consumption and production of supplies, Nabeel Saleh Al-Awlaki, director of the environment, health and safety department at the Industrial Development Office, said during the call.
The study is part of the Basic Industries Project spearheaded by Added to reach self-sufficiency in the healthcare, food and energy sectors. The aim is to supply basic products to the domestic market, boost local production, create new investment areas and increase the non-oil sector's contribution to the economy.
Demand for medical supplies has skyrocketed during the Covid-19 pandemic and some local manufacturing capacity in the UAE has been converted to meet this need. Strata, Mubadala Investment Company’s aerospace manufacturing unit, is looking to further diversify into the health technology sector, after producing N95 masks in partnership with Honeywell in May.
Abu Dhabi has issued a total of 23 licenses for medical manufacturing in the emirate for investments valued at nearly Dh2 billion, Rashed Al Balooshi, Undersecretary of Added, said in a statement. Of these, 10 new facilities are currently under construction with an investment value of Dh932 million. The remaining 13 have already reached production status, with an investment value of Dh1.069bn.
The emirate is offering local manufacturers in these vital industries incentives including customs exemptions, industrial licence exemption fees and reductions on electricity tariffs to industrial companies to reduce operational costs.
Currently, local producers in the UAE cover five per cent of the local consumption of healthcare products, Dr Sahar Fahmy, acting manager of the drug and medical products department at the Department of Health, said.
Identifying the 23 areas of investment in pharmaceuticals and healthcare under the Basic Industries Project was carried out by Added’s Industrial Development Bureau (IDB) in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio), the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi and the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA).
The areas identified were based on Added’s review of current circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 oubreak, Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Added said in the statement.
Tariq Bin Hendi, director general of Adio, said the "thriving" healthcare sector offered "sizeable" opportunities for investors.
"The new investment areas represent a wealth of new possibilities for investors and manufacturers in or looking to establish in Abu Dhabi," Mr Bin Hendi said.
Adio is translating the investment areas identified by the Basic Industries Project into business opportunities, connecting investors to relevant local partners and helping to conduct feasibility studies for projects. It is also looking at policy reforms directly related to the industries identified to ensure long-term, sustainable opportunities for businesses, he said.
The Basic Industries Project is being implemented by Added in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Adio.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
RACE CARD
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Baby Driver
Director: Edgar Wright
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James
Three and a half stars
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
What is 'Soft Power'?
Soft power was first mentioned in 1990 by former US Defence Secretary Joseph Nye.
He believed that there were alternative ways of cultivating support from other countries, instead of achieving goals using military strength.
Soft power is, at its root, the ability to convince other states to do what you want without force.
This is traditionally achieved by proving that you share morals and values.
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%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20CarbonSifr%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202022%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Dubai%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Onur%20Elgun%2C%20Mustafa%20Bosca%20and%20Muhammed%20Yildirim%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Climate%20tech%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%241%20million%20raised%20in%20seed%20funding%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
