UAE partners with PepsiCo to enhance industrial talent and accelerate local industry growth

The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has expanded its industrial talent program by bringing PepsiCo into the fold. This move essentially invites one of the world’s most recognizable consumer goods companies to join the national effort aimed at supporting Emirati trainees and small businesses.

The agreement, which was signed during the fifth edition of Make it in the Emirates, aims to grow the Future Industries Lab, a project backed by the ministry. The lab is designed to provide young Emiratis with hands-on experience in industrial work while also helping small and medium-sized enterprises access market insights, operational guidance, and business support. Notably, PepsiCo is the first food and beverage giant to join this platform , a clear sign that the initiative is attracting a wider array of private-sector partners.

According to the ministry, this collaboration is meant to bolster industrial capabilities and create more structured learning opportunities based on real business environments. It covers aspects like operations, quality assurance, supply chain management, and market access , areas that are becoming more central to the UAE’s goal of building a more advanced industrial sector.

For the trainees, the program will go well beyond traditional classroom lessons. PepsiCo announced it would provide placements and practical exposure across its UAE operations, including areas such as branding, supply chain logistics, sustainability initiatives, and finance. Additionally, trainees will get the chance to visit the Dubai Refreshment Company’s facilities, PepsiCo’s local bottling partner, to get a firsthand look at manufacturing and operational procedures.

This kind of practical experience is particularly important in a country that has made industrial development a strategic national priority. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), which was established in 2020, has been working to accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies and Fourth Industrial Revolution tools. The goal is to position the UAE as a hub for future industries. Its long-range industrial strategy, Operation 300Bn, aims to boost the sector’s contribution to GDP from AED 133 billion to AED 300 billion by 2031, all while supporting exports, increasing local demand, and creating quality jobs.

The ministry has also been working on frameworks for tighter collaboration between government and business. Back in 2021, it launched the Future of Industry Dialogue, a series of meetings with industry leaders meant to identify obstacles, shape policy, and develop new approaches to sustainable industrial growth. The PepsiCo partnership fits neatly within this broader model of public-private cooperation.

Hassan Al Nuaimi, the undersecretary at MoIAT, highlighted the importance of partnerships with major companies operating locally. He said that such collaborations are vital for supporting Operation 300Bn and for broadening the scope of the Future Industries Lab. His comments reflect a wider government view, which argues that industrial policy shouldn’t just focus on regulations and investment incentives. Instead, it should also prioritize talent development and enhancing business capabilities.

PepsiCo, for its part, sees this partnership as a natural extension of its longstanding presence in the UAE. Wael Ismail, the company’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs for International Beverages, expressed that: “Joining the Future Industries Lab allows us to work more closely with young Emiratis and SMEs that will shape the future of the industry here. PepsiCo has been in the UAE for sixty years, and we’ve witnessed firsthand how much can happen when government and business teams collaborate with a long-term vision in mind. Through the Future Industries Lab, we hope participants come away with a solid understanding of how the industry operates day-to-day, and with confidence in the opportunities out there.”

By participating, PepsiCo adds another layer to the UAE’s ongoing effort to deepen private-sector involvement in national industrial development. Make it in the Emirates, which was the platform used for the announcement, has grown into an important venue for policy signals, business deals, and showcasing manufacturing capabilities. Interestingly enough, a recent advertorial in The National highlighted PepsiCo’s use of the 2026 edition of the event to launch initiatives aimed at boosting local industry competitiveness and developing Emirati talent.

The focus on supporting SMEs is equally noteworthy. Small businesses often encounter hurdles like navigating supply chains, understanding regulatory frameworks, and connecting with larger industrial clients. A program that combines mentorship, operational access, and market insights can go a long way toward overcoming those barriers, especially when backed by a ministry actively shaping industrial policy.

Currently, the Future Industries Lab is part of a broader network involving various firms across different sectors that offer technical expertise and training support. In practice, it’s transforming into a platform through which the UAE aligns its economic policy more directly with specific business experiences, rather than viewing talent development as something separate.

For the UAE, where sectors such as climate technology, food systems, and advanced manufacturing are increasingly blending together, partnerships like this could have benefits far beyond just a single training program. Building industrial capacity requires not only infrastructure and investment but also a skilled workforce that understands how modern operations work, how supply chains are managed, and how sustainability is incorporated into decision-making. The agreement with PepsiCo indicates that the government wants this knowledge to be ingrained early on and at a large scale.

In a way, this deal isn’t just about a company getting involved in a government project; it’s about the UAE continuing its effort to develop a more interconnected, skilled, and collaborative industrial ecosystem.