The Ministry of Finance continues to affirm its commitment to support the In-Country Value (ICV) program, a national initiative aimed at empowering local content through government procurement regulations. This effort aligns with the ministry’s strategy to enhance the impact of public spending and foster collaboration with the national industrial sector. In recognition of this commitment, the Ministry of Finance and Maryam Mohammed Al Amiri, the Assistant Undersecretary for Government Financial Management, received two prestigious awards from the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology during the “Make in the UAE” initiative and the “National Content Day,” in the category of “Leadership in National Content.” These awards celebrate the leadership role and significant efforts in transforming the procurement process to strengthen the ICV program.
The first accolade, the “Best Enabler and Strategic Partner in the Industrial Sector,” recognizes the Ministry of Finance as a strategic partner in implementing the ICV program at the federal level. The ministry’s advanced institutional role in integrating the program’s standards into procurement policies and legislation was commended, along with the development of a unified digital platform for its application and the creation of a fair competitive environment that enhances opportunities for local suppliers.
This award honors entities that have made effective contributions to the growth and competitiveness of the industrial sector in the UAE by supporting the National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology (Project 300 billion) and the “Make in the UAE” initiative. It reflects the Ministry of Finance’s unwavering commitment to achieving national objectives related to sustainable economic growth and industrial innovation through initiatives that bolster industrial competitiveness, facilitate business environments, adopt technological solutions, and empower local talent.
The second recognition was awarded to Maryam Mohammed Al Amiri, who received the “Leadership in National Content” prize for her personal contributions as a driving force in turning the vision of enhanced national content into a tangible reality. Her role in leading the integration of the program into the federal government’s digital procurement system was highly valued.
This award falls under the “individuals” category among the eight categories for leadership in national content, intended to honor individuals who have made exceptional contributions to promoting the national content program, securing strategic purchase agreements, creating job opportunities, and enhancing collaboration with partners. The award underscores her prominent role in driving collaborative efforts between government entities and industrial partners while fostering initiatives that benefit the national economy.
Strategic Transformation in Procurement Systems
In recent years, there has been a substantial shift in government procurement policies in the country. These policies are no longer merely administrative tools for managing public spending; they have become a strategic lever for localizing the economy and strengthening local supply chains. This transformation is credited to a series of initiatives launched by the Ministry of Finance, particularly the integration of the ICV standards into the federal procurement procedures guide and allocating up to 25% evaluation points in bids for suppliers holding an ICV certificate. This change has resulted in a fundamental shift in the business environment, encouraging local suppliers and national companies to enhance their production capabilities and increase their contributions to the local economy.
Digitization and Transparency
To foster transparency and streamline unified evaluations, the Ministry of Finance launched a digital government procurement platform, which has become a central tool for the comprehensive and intelligent application of the ICV. This platform has enabled federal entities to incorporate ICV requirements at every stage of the procurement cycle, from bid submission to evaluation and awarding contracts, with real-time data analysis capabilities through dashboards that accurately and transparently display performance indicators.
Additionally, the ministry’s efforts extended beyond digital solutions, implementing over seven specialized training workshops from 2022 to 2024 to enhance the skills of federal entity staff and suppliers, achieving satisfaction rates exceeding 85%, indicating the direct positive impact of these programs.
Empowering Local Suppliers and Small Enterprises
The ministry has placed significant importance on local suppliers, especially small and medium national enterprises, by providing comprehensive technical support to assist them in registering on the platform and understanding ICV requirements. This has led to a nearly threefold increase in the contributions of this supplier category between 2023 and 2024.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance organized national events and dialogue forums that brought together government entities and strategic suppliers, such as the “National Executive Event” in January 2024, which provided an interactive platform for exchanging insights on enhancing local value.
Strategic Partnership
The collaboration between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology serves as a model for effective government integration. Policies and evaluation mechanisms within the ICV program have been unified to ensure fair and consistent application at the federal level.
Through joint technical and organizational committees, the Ministry of Finance has played a vital role in developing evaluation tools and adopting policies that consider local market peculiarities and needs. It has also participated in updating the federal procurement procedures guide and issued directives requiring suppliers to provide an ICV certificate for all tenders.
Tangible Results and Future Vision
These efforts have yielded tangible outcomes, including directing billions of dirhams into the local market and achieving unprecedented annual growth of 437% in ICV contributions within government contracts. These initiatives have also helped enhance transparency, standardize government performance, and create a sustainable economic environment conducive for local suppliers.
These successes are part of a broader vision adopted by the state to transform public procurement into a strategic tool for national economic growth, enhance competitiveness, and empower the private sector to play a pivotal role in development.
Deserved Recognition Reflecting an Institutional Approach
The accolades given to the Ministry of Finance and Maryam Mohammed Al Amiri are a deserving acknowledgment of the significant achievements made. They not only celebrate past efforts but also serve as a motivation to continue working within an institutional framework that connects financial and industrial policies and strengthens the integration of roles to maximize the benefits of public spending in supporting the national economy.
As the UAE moves toward expanding the application of the ICV program, the achievements to date represent a solid step towards building a competitive and sustainable economy, with national content at the core of all government policies and decisions.