At SIF-WIC 2025, Mohamed Alabbar highlighted that manufacturing makes up 15% of UAE’s GDP and called it a key engine for future national growth.
SHARJAH: In a compelling session at SIF-WIC 2025, held in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, renowned Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar called for a renewed focus on the manufacturing sector, describing it as the next key pillar of national economic progress. Speaking during a fireside chat titled “Vision, Venture, Value: Shaping the Region Through Leadership,” Alabbar stated that manufacturing now comprises 15% of the UAE’s GDP, surpassing real estate, and must be prioritised by the country’s entrepreneurs.
Alabbar, the founder of Emaar and Noon.com, addressed an audience of global business leaders, sharing personal reflections and strong business insights. “Start small—buy a 3D printer, experiment, learn to make something good,” he said, urging the next generation to approach manufacturing with honesty, discipline and quality.
The conversation, moderated by media personality Kris Fade, provided rare access into Alabbar’s evolution from humble beginnings to building multi-billion-dollar enterprises. “We didn’t have anything. My first goal was just to break out of poverty. But later, I realised payback isn’t about donations—it’s about character, integrity, and commitment to your country,” he said.
Discussing his mission to drive real economic impact, Alabbar explained how his ventures boost local economies. “Each project contributes around 5% to a city’s GDP. We support jobs, suppliers, even the cake shop owners. That’s real development,” he emphasised.
The Noon.com founder also touched on the Arab world’s need to own its digital future. “We are 400 million Arabs spending five hours a day online, yet we don’t own the tech. That pushed me to build Noon. It was tough—I had to fire 350 of 400 employees in the first year—but now we are among the best globally,” he shared.
Alabbar concluded by stressing the values that have defined his path: “People call me brutal. I’m not brutal—I’m brutally disciplined. Discipline of work, of learning, of quality. If your product is good, it will speak for itself.”
Organised by Invest in Sharjah in collaboration with WAIPA, the Sharjah Investment Forum – World Investment Conference 2025 hosted over 10,000 global participants from 142 countries, featuring 130 speakers and 160 sessions under the theme “Transforming Our World: Investing for a Resilient and Sustainable Future.”
