The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India have come together to strengthen their collaboration in sustainable industrial development. This cooperation was formalised through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on October 5, 2023, at the prestigious Emirates Palace. The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Shri Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The primary focus of the MoU is to facilitate industrial investments, technology transfer, and the deployment of key technologies across various industries. This strategic partnership aims to foster joint industrial and technological advancements, benefiting both nations. Dr. Al Jaber emphasized the commitment to strengthening bilateral relations to drive sustainable economic growth, aligning with the UAE’s vision for advanced technology and sustainability standards. The initiative resonates with the national industrial strategy and the ‘Make it in the Emirates’ initiative, aimed at positioning the UAE as a global hub for advanced industries, particularly those related to the industries of the future.
The MoU encompasses several facets of cooperation, including industrial investments in priority sectors such as advanced industries, energy transition solutions, healthcare, and space. Additionally, it aims to develop innovative technological solutions that support sustainability and climate neutrality efforts. This collaboration within strategic sectors will expedite sustainable growth and diversify the economies of both the UAE and India, promoting industries that are competitive, efficient, and sustainable.
Mr. Goyal echoed these sentiments, highlighting the MoU’s potential to pave the way for cooperation in emerging technologies such as space, healthcare, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and more. The MoU specifically targets seven key areas, including supply chain resilience, renewable energy, health and life sciences, space systems, AI, Industry 4.0, advanced technologies, and standardization and metrology.
In terms of supply chain resilience, the UAE and India will collaborate on identifying opportunities for the supply of raw materials, sharing best practices for industrial growth and development, and offering incentives in areas like energy, land, technology, and labor.
In the realm of energy, the partnership will focus on advancing energy storage technologies, Smart Grid, IoT deployment, and R&D in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Health and life sciences will witness collaboration in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, and research and development.
The UAE and India are also set to enhance their space industries through the joint development, launch, and utilization of small satellites, in addition to licensing space-related materials and conducting space sector research.
The field of AI will see both nations working together to deploy AI technologies in various sectors, including space, energy, healthcare, and supply chains. They will also enhance capabilities in machine learning and data analytics.
The deployment of Industry 4.0 technologies, real-time data processing, autonomous robotics, and additive manufacturing in key industries will be part of their collaborative efforts.
Lastly, the MoU will promote cooperation in standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation, and Halal certification. Information exchange, harmonization of standards, and mutual recognition of conformity assessment results are integral components of this partnership.
Under the MoU, industrial and academic collaborations, collaborative research and development projects, and the sharing of best practices relating to science and technology policies will foster a thriving partnership between the UAE and India. This landmark agreement promises significant advancements in industry and advanced technologies for both nations.
