Industry
     The discovery of oil was a very important factor in the process of industrialization because of its exceptional impact on the economic structure. Under the valued directions of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan and with proper planning, the State has succeeded in establishing a number of industries in the fields of oil, chemicals, building materials, foodstuff, paper, and ready-made clothes. The government sector has assumed the responsibility of implementing major projects, while the private sector has undertaken the task of implementing medium size and small projects.

     The Industrial Bank, which was established in 1982 under Law No. (1) for 1982, has played a significant role in financing and allocating capital. By 1998, this bank had financed 300 projects at a total cost of 1.7 billion dirhams. This purposive policy has resulted in continuous economic growth in the State. Contributions that are made by non-oil economic sectors represent an important and encouraging factor in this process.

     The auspicious atmosphere for building a strong industrial sector, which is being enjoyed by the UAE, has provided a broad scope for investment. This is supported by the reliability of the infrastructure in the fields of communications, ports, electricity, health service and public facilities. The Free Zone has also contributed to the process of attracting local, regional and foreign capital because of the existence of complementary facilities, legal guarantees and administrative leniency.

     The added value of the industrial sector in the country rose to 971 million dirhams in 1992, and its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounted to 8%. In spite of the fact that the industrial sector is still relatively new, the basic industries have come into being via the petrochemical, aluminum and cement industries. The contribution of this sector to GDP rose from 2% to 8% in two decades. This rise has resulted from an increase in industrial added value in a number of major industrial projects, as well as medium and small size ones.

The UAE Industries: A Great Impetus for Industrial Development Efforts

     The industrial sector has risen to a prominent position in the economy of the State. It ranks fifth in importance after the manpower, services, construction, trade and transport sectors.

     The industrial sector played a vital role in increasing non-oil exports, whose value was 5.3 billion dirhams in 1992, representing 10% of the value of oil exports. Hence, the industrial sector now plays a major role in the national economy. The industrial sector in Abu Dhabi is considered as one of the fastest growing sectors. It concentrates on manufacturing and foodstuff industries. The number of industrial firms employing ten workers and more has increased to 300 firms.

     The local government runs the biggest industrial installations, and in this respect we must refer to Al Ruwais Industrial Complex, which is located 235 km west of Abu Dhabi city. The complex comprises Al Ruwais Refinery whose production capacity is 120,000 b/d, and the azotic fertilizers factory which produces 1050 metric tons of ammonia and 1500 metric tons of solid urea per day. Umm Al Nar Refinery, which is only 20 km from Abu Dhabi city, is the first industrial project to be implemented on the Island and the first oil refinery in the UAE. It was opened in 1976 with a production capacity of 75,000 b/d. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution owns numerous factories for producing oils and lubricants. In October 1993, one of the most advanced automobile oils plants in the world was opened in Abu Dhabi.

     In the context of industries, we must refer to the development of the cement industry in Ras Al Khaimah. This industry has grown to such an extent as to compare with those of the greatest cement producing countries. There are also other industries in Ras Al Khaimah which are constantly developing.

     The sector of basic mining industries tops industrial investments in Dubai, attracting half of these investments to the value of billions of dirhams. In 1997, 19.7 billion dirhams of the assets of the industrial sector were owned by the basic mining industries.

     Briefly, many strategies have been used and many others are constantly being drawn to develop the national industrial sector. This includes drawing a comprehensive national economic policy, making the submission of economic feasibility studies obligatory for industrial investors, giving importance to the development of the national workforce, concentrating on industrial specialization, coordinating local industrial projects and giving support to their exports, as well as establishing a center for industrial information.