Dubai In-Country Value Programme Aims To Strengthen Local Manufacturing Sector And Economic Growth

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has partnered with the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) to introduce the 'Dubai In-Country Value (ICV) Programme'. This initiative aims to boost local manufacturing by increasing government spending on domestic suppliers. The programme will be executed through TASHAROK, Dubai's Shared Procurement Programme, managed by the Support Services Centre at Dubai Finance.

Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, stated, "The Dubai ICV Programme marks a strategic shift in government procurement, aligned with the objectives of the D33 Agenda, to strengthen the emirate’s industrial base and advance sustainable economic growth. In collaboration with the Department of Finance and the TASHAROK lead buyers, the initiative demonstrates the power of unified government procurement in supporting local manufacturers and SMEs to scale-up with purpose. By placing greater emphasis on in-country value, we are enhancing supply chain resilience, promoting self-sufficiency, and reinforcing Dubai’s global competitiveness as a centre for high-value production and innovation. Initiatives such as this are key to building a more agile and future-ready economy, in line with the vision of Dubai’s leadership."

The programme is designed to prioritise suppliers with strong local capabilities. This includes manufacturers based in Dubai and Emirati-owned businesses. It also supports firms employing local talent within the emirate. By integrating ICV into TASHAROK, it ensures seamless access for lead buyers and participating entities.

Hamed Al Awadhi, Executive Director of Shared Services Sector at Dubai Finance, praised the collaboration between DET and DOF in embedding ICV into TASHAROK's sourcing strategy. He highlighted that directing government spending towards local manufacturing aligns with D33 Agenda goals. This approach fosters competitive local industries and supports Dubai's vision for economic excellence.

The TASHAROK programme covers 42 general product categories like office supplies and medical consumables. It operates through a hybrid framework involving seven key government entities: Dubai Municipality, Health Authority, Police Department, Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Customs Department, Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), and Airports Authority.

These entities will incorporate ICV criteria into their procurement strategies. They will establish framework agreements with approved suppliers accessible to all participating government bodies. This ensures a unified approach across public sector procurement.

Workshops for Effective Implementation

To ensure effective implementation, DET and DOF have organised specialised workshops for lead buyers. These sessions provide guidance on assessing local manufacturing content in procurement decisions. They also cover integrating ICV criteria into TASHAROK sourcing strategies.

The workshops aim to measure economic impact ensuring tangible outcomes across government procurement channels. This initiative underscores commitment to supporting local manufacturing while enhancing long-term economic sustainability.

The ICV Programme is part of DET's broader strategy to position Dubai as a global hub for trade, investment, and innovation. By encouraging government entities to prioritise products with higher local content, it empowers businesses to contribute significantly towards achieving objectives outlined in the D33 Agenda.

This agenda aims to double Dubai's economy size by 2033 while strengthening its status as a leading global destination for business and leisure activities.

The programme also helps retain more government expenditure within Dubai's economy further supporting GDP growth.

With inputs from WAM