Procurement Forum At Abu Dhabi Business Week To Enhance Public-Private Partnerships And Industrial Growth

The upcoming Procurement Forum, part of Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW), will offer businesses insights into government procurement opportunities. Hosted by the Department of Government Enablement (ADDGE) and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), this event aims to strengthen the economy through strategic procurement and investment opportunities for the private sector.

Abu Dhabi Business Week, under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) in collaboration with ADDED and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). Scheduled from 4 to 6 December 2024 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), it highlights the government's strategic procurement priorities.

The Procurement Forum will focus on how private sector involvement can shape public sector procurement and drive economic transformation in Abu Dhabi. Key government officials, local entrepreneurs, international investors, procurement professionals, suppliers, and stakeholders will discuss strategies to boost economic diversification and industrial development.

Scheduled for 5 December 2024, under the theme "Invest and Prosper", the forum will include sessions starting with a keynote on Abu Dhabi’s vision for a diverse industrial ecosystem. Panel discussions will highlight government agencies' roles in promoting economic diversification and sustainable practices.

A panel discussion will feature ADIO's strategic initiatives like Musataha and Public-Private Partnership frameworks. These initiatives aim to attract domestic and foreign investments, promote business sustainability, and reinforce Abu Dhabi as a top investment destination.

The event will provide insights into market trends, exploring how procurement-driven policies support local production, empower SMEs, enhance environmental sustainability, and foster innovation through collaborative strategies.

SME Empowerment

A fireside chat will focus on SME initiatives including ADDED's procurement policies and Khalifa Fund's efforts to help SMEs access government contracts. This supports Abu Dhabi’s diversified economy by enabling SMEs to contribute significantly.

Fahed Salem Al Kayyoomi, Undersecretary of DGE, stated: "As Abu Dhabi continues to focus on economic diversification, localisation, and industrial innovation, the Procurement Forum has become a key platform for aligning procurement strategies with our broader goals. By prioritising sustainable practices, empowering local small and medium-sized enterprises, and cultivating strategic partnerships, we reinforce the emirate’s position as a hub for investment and industrial growth."

Localisation Strategy

The Industrial Development Bureau (IDB), part of ADDED responsible for regulating the industrial sector, will present its strategy for building local manufacturing capabilities. This includes sustainable practices aimed at positioning Abu Dhabi as a regional hub for manufacturing and innovation.

Mohammed Kamali from ADIO remarked: "The Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) supports the Emirate in becoming a global leader in sustainable industrial growth. By prioritising locally produced goods in government procurement processes, we are not only fortifying our economy’s resilience but also laying the foundation for long-term industrial prosperity. The Procurement Forum is an ideal platform from which to showcase Abu Dhabi’s robust developments and reinforce the Emirate’s position as a premier hub for manufacturing, innovation, and industrial investment on the world stage."

Diverse Sector Engagement

The Procurement Forum is one of ten specialised events during ADBW designed to encourage knowledge-sharing and partnership-building across various sectors such as industrial development, technology advancement, sustainable growth among others.

Mouza Obaid Al Nasri from ADDED noted: "The forum will open the door to new opportunities for SMEs and other firms eager to leverage our procurement initiatives to fuel growth. We are creating new pathways for firms to succeed as we build a resilient, innovation-driven diversified economy across the Emirate. The Procurement Forum offers an opportunity to exchange expertise and forge new partnerships empowering local businesses to access unparalleled opportunities contributing meaningfully towards Abu Dhabi’s sustainable growth vibrant economic ecosystem."

With inputs from WAM