Abu Dhabi plans to launch an investment promotion agency in the first quarter of next year to boost technology transfer and industrial output.
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An office will initially be launched in the capital before overseas branches are set up in the Far East, Europe and North America the following year.
"It will be attracting foreign investment to Abu Dhabi," said Hamad al Mass, the executive director and assistant undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. "We are focusing on attracting the technology and know-how mainly."
Investment promotion agencies are used by governments to create interest in a particular region. By providing overseas firms with access to domestic markets, they can encourage foreign investment and create jobs.
But officials say the Abu Dhabi agency will be more focused on stimulating the transfer of technology and expertise to the capital. This fits within the emirate's plan to diversify its economy by plugging into new industrial sectors.
"We are focusing on non-oil economy and what added value they can bring to our economy," Mr al Mass said.
"We are targeting companies in high technology within certain sectors to bring them to Abu Dhabi to set up."
Representatives from International Development Ireland, the government's support agency, have been providing advice.
Five to eight offices will be set up overseas in the initial 18 months, Mr al Mass said. The first offices are likely to be located in the UK, China and the US, where the intention is for them to generate leads that can be pursued by the office in the capital.
Dubai already has an investment promotion agency, the Foreign Investment Office, which is part of the Dubai Department of Economic Development. It has played an important part in attracting foreign investment.
Abu Dhabi's plans come as the emirate aims to open an export promotion agency by the end of this year. It would provide incentives and give advice to local companies planning to export goods and services.
The proposals are another attempt to stimulate the economy's diversification efforts.
Abu Dhabi's Vision 2030 intends to raise the economic contribution of exports to 11 per cent of GDP by 2030.
The two agencies would be designed to complement each other, Mr al Mass said.
"They will be separate offices but under the umbrella of DED," he said. "We will be the regulator and they will be the enablers of growth."
The promotion agency would supply exporting companies with information on potential markets and help to connect them with interested buyers, as well as advertise the "Made in Abu Dhabi" brand internationally through trade shows.
"It will help and guide our exporting companies and our manufacturers to move to the international market with high standards and high quality," Mr al Mass said.
"It will hold workshops to show them best practice and enhance their capability, go on roadshows and help negotiate with distributors of their products," he added.