ADDED and SAP Act on Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy Objectives

• Agreement activates work towards circular economy, Industry 4.0, talent development, and SME support
• Commencement of global training programmes focused on technical, business, and behavioral skills

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has activated an arrangement with the leading German multinational provider of enterprise business software, SAP, as it implements the initiatives and objectives set by the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS). 

The agreement was signed by H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of ADDED and Mr. Christian Klein, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE, on sidelines of H.E. German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz’s official visit to the UAE. 

H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zayoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade and Minster in charge of Talent Attraction and Retention, and H.E. Dr. Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, witnessed the signing ceremony.

ADIS, launched in June 2022, is Abu Dhabi’s charter guiding an exponential shift in its industrial and manufacturing landscape, with Industry 4.0, circular economic model, talent development, ecosystem enablement, homegrown supply chain, and value chain development at its core. The Capital of the UAE Abu Dhabi, and other regions of the Emirate, are rapidly achieving milestones on par with global industrial centers, with a AED10 billion funding scheme across six transformational programmes gradually being rolled out in support of innovators and market disruptors. 

SAP will be training and upskilling talents and future specialists by offering in-country, virtual, and global programmes focused on technical, business, and behavioral skills. SAP intends 

to design a platform to support job seekers and freelancers in the manufacturing sector in Abu Dhabi to bridge the gap between supply and demand as well as joining Abu Dhabi Government’s secondment programme by placing UAE Nationals as part of its workforce.

The two parties will be working closely to develop an Emirate-level framework harmonising manufacturing standards and will cooperate in developing and sustaining an efficient value chain for the manufacturing sector.

As part of the agreement, ADDED and SAP will be supporting startups and small business enterprises (SMEs) in the industrial sector through “SAP.io” and “Grow by SAP” initiatives. 

H.E. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of ADDED, said: “As we carefully start delivering against the objectives set in the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy, our affiliation with SAP is a strategic pillar, as we adapt to ever-changing market trends and tech-updates. ADIS will gradually and prudently grow the size of the Emirate’s manufacturing sector to AED172 billion by 2031 by increasing access to financing, enhancing ease of doing business, and attracting foreign direct investment”.

“Talent development is a top priority for us. ADIS aims to create 13,600 new knowledge-based quality jobs, with a focus on Emirati talent, and working with SAP will equip our various cadres with specialised training and upskilling programmes to master transition to Industry 4.0 and circular economy best practices.” H.E. Al Shorafa added.

Mr. Christian Klein, Chief Executive Officer and member of the Executive Board of SAP SE said: “SAP’s partnership with ADDED represents an important step towards accelerating Abu Dhabi’s vision to become a leading hub for technology and innovation. Our deep expertise in the manufacturing sector will help both in the upskilling and training of local talent and in extending global best practices to further strengthen the recently launched Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy.”