UAE launches the Industrial Census project to establish a centralised database of industrial companies in the country 

The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) today launched the Industrial Census project, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the members of the Industry Development Council, and the local statistics centres. The project aims to create a comprehensive database of all establishments that practice industrial activities according to the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4 – Section C), including those operating in free zones, whether their licenses are industrial or non-industrial. 

The move is in line with the Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2022 regarding the regulation and development of industry and Ministerial Decision No. 6 of 2023 regulating the process for industrial establishments to provide MoIAT with their information.

The project was announced at a press conference organised by MoIAT in Abu Dhabi. As part of the project, MoIAT will provide industrial companies and establishments with a reliable and flexible mechanism to participate in the census and submit their information.

The project will help create new investment opportunities for manufacturers, investors, and owners of industrial companies, as well as help decision-makers track, assess and enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector and inform related future policies and decisions that make the sector flexible. The project is in line with the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, Operation 300 billion, which aims to help create a business environment that attracts local and international investments in the industrial sector and boosts the growth and competitiveness of national industries. 

He stressed that the privacy of the information submitted through the form will be maintained, and the curated database will only be used for analytical research. 

The project aims to measure the industrial sector’s performance and contribution to national GDP to help upscale local industrial capabilities and promote integration between government entities and stakeholders by exchanging related information. It will also improve the sector’s readiness and business continuity, especially during crises, and enhance the UAE’s ranking in international economic competitiveness indicators, including those related to food and medicine security.