The fifth edition of the Make it in the Emirates (MIITE) international exhibition and conference has concluded in Abu Dhabi. The event took place on 4–7 May 2026 at the ADNEC Centre. According to organisers and local media reports, it became the largest in the platform’s history: the exhibition area exceeded 88,000 m² – 30% more than in 2025 – while the number of exhibitors grew by 73% to 1,245 companies from all seven emirates. Expected attendance was around 120,000 professionals.
The Make it in the Emirates exhibition, organised by the UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology in partnership with ADNEC Group (a Modon company), the Ministry of Culture, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and ADNOC, covered 12 key sectors: aerospace, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, energy, decarbonisation, construction and others. As Khaleej Times notes, this scale reflects growing interest in the UAE’s industrial sector and the country’s ambition to become a global hub for manufacturing and innovation.
What gave the event particular significance is that MIITE 2026 became the first major international event in the region to take place as scheduled after a period of reduced business activity. Since March, many exhibitions and forums had been postponed or cancelled, and the successful holding of MIITE in early May signalled a return to business confidence. The event’s slogan – “Advanced Industry: Emerging Stronger” – directly refers to recovery from challenges and the UAE’s drive to ensure its economic security independently of external supply chains.
Special attention was paid to dedicated zones: the Intelligence Hub showcased AI solutions and robotics; the Industry NextGen Hub supported start‑ups, which accounted for 61% of participants; and the House of Industry presented the first immersive exhibition of the Emirates’ industrial heritage. At the same time, the technology agenda was combined with a cultural one: the venue hosted 200 artisans and 18 creative companies, where traditional crafts were reinterpreted using virtual reality and 3D printing.
Significant announcements were made on the sidelines of the exhibition. According to The Arab Weekly, ADNOC’s head, Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, announced a sovereign decision by the UAE to re‑orient itself towards the global energy market within its national interests. This decision, as stated by the Minister of Industry Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, reflects the principle that “economic security cannot be imported; it must be built.”
The exhibition took place within the framework of the Operation 300Bn programme, aimed at increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to the UAE’s GDP to AED 300 billion. Special emphasis was placed on the ICV (In‑Country Value) programme, which encourages local manufacturing. New initiatives were also unveiled: ADNOC presented the Local+ programme, obliging contractors to prioritise 70 qualified Emirati manufacturers; Sharjah (SEDD) introduced an exclusive offer – an instant industrial licence for just AED 1,000; and Etihad Airways confirmed its contribution to the economy through foreign direct investment and localisation of supply chains.
For industry professionals, the results of MIITE 2026 offered an opportunity to assess the scale of the UAE’s industrial transformation, establish contacts with key players, and understand the development vectors of one of the most dynamic markets in the region. For participants in international exhibitions, it is the first large‑scale project showing how industrial events are adapting to new conditions: while maintaining international reach, they are becoming more pragmatic, focusing on concrete deals, localisation of production, and the formation of sustainable partnerships during a period of recovering global business activity.
Sources: organisers’ data, Khaleej Times, Gulf News, The Arab Weekly.