Win ICV Contracts at Make It In The Emirates
Make It In The Emirates ICV is now a primary procurement filter for Abu Dhabi and federal buyers. Running 4–7 May 2026 at ADNEC, the show will attract 500+ exhibitors and 20,000+ attendees — and buyers attending expect demonstrable local value, traceable supply chains, and rapid delivery. This guide shows how to structure documentation, production and logistics so you convert presence into contracts.
Why Make It In The Emirates ICV matters for exhibitors
The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) and Abu Dhabi procurement teams embed ICV evidence into tender scoring. Organisers and government buyers at ADNEC prioritise vendors who can prove:
- local labour and UAE‑based fabrication;
- local content or supply‑chain footprint;
- documented delivery capability with short lead times.
What buyers at ADNEC expect (Make It In The Emirates ICV)
Buyers are looking for verifiable, auditable evidence. Typical expectations include:
- Local invoices from UAE suppliers showing part fabrication or assembly;
- Supplier and sub‑contractor agreements with signatures, scope and delivery milestones;
- VAT and Trade Licence copies proving local commercial presence;
- Manufacture photos and progress timelines demonstrating production in the UAE;
- Clear ICV plans or letters of intent with local partners.
How to structure your submission to win ICV contracts
Follow a clear, auditable package. We recommend this structure for tenders and procurement follow‑ups after Make It In The Emirates:
- Cover letter summarising UAE footprint and expected ICV score;
- Project file with timeline, milestone dates and production photos;
- Commercial folder: UAE invoices, supplier agreements, VAT and trade licence copies;
- Technical folder: shop drawings, materials list, and local test/certification records;
- Logistics folder: ADNEC staging plan, customs clearance details and load‑in/load‑out schedule.
Use Burdak services to demonstrate credible local manufacture
We provide services tailored to Make It In The Emirates requirements and ADNEC operating realities:
In‑house fabrication
Our Abu Dhabi and Dubai workshops handle aluminium extrusion framing, powder‑coated steel structures, CNC‑cut MDF and composite panels, and integrated LED systems. Typical small‑booth turnarounds: 2–4 weeks; complex shell schemes: 4–8 weeks. All jobs are accompanied by production photos, stage reports and UAE invoices clients can submit to procurement teams.
3D mockups and shop drawings
We deliver detailed 3D mockups, millimetre‑accurate shop drawings and material schedules. Deliverables include:
- 3D render for procurement review and client approval;
- exploded shop drawings with dimensions and assembly sequence (useful for ADNEC rigging and fire‑safety checks);
- bill of materials showing UAE suppliers and part numbers to maximise ICV credit.
Technical recommendations for exhibits
To maximise ICV and satisfy on‑site requirements at ADNEC, design for local manufacture and fast assembly:
- Use modular aluminium profiles (20–40 mm systems) and bolted connections for rapid assembly;
- Standard panel sizes (2440 x 1220 mm or 1200 x 2400 mm) minimise CNC waste and speed fabrication;
- Specify powder‑coated steel bases for heavy fixtures and ensure max transport module dimension under 2.4 m to avoid special permits;
- Document electrical layouts for LED walls and AV, including load calculations and Dubai/Abu Dhabi certified electricians for final connections.
Logistics and ADNEC on‑site rules
ADNEC enforces strict load‑in schedules, rigging approvals and health & safety conditions. Practical steps:
- Book ADNEC load‑in slots early and include your fabrication lead times in tender responses;
- Prepare customs documentation if shipping from Dubai or overseas — transit can add 2–5 days;
- Coordinate with our logistics team for oversized freight to avoid costly delays at the gate;
- Provide ADNEC with millimetre shop drawings and weight declarations for truss and suspended elements.
Common failures and how to avoid them
Post‑show feedback shows consistent pitfalls. Avoid these to retain procurement interest:
- Missing local documentation — ensure invoices and supplier agreements are in the UAE entity name;
- Vague supply‑chain claims — specify which components were made locally and list supplier details;
- Long lead times — present a realistic UAE production and delivery timeline (we advise 4–8 weeks in tender replies unless you have confirmed slots).
Quick conversion strategy at Make It In The Emirates
At the show, convert meetings into procurement advantage:
- Bring printed ICV evidence packs (one‑page summary, copies of UAE invoices and MOUs);
- Show a 3D mockup on an iPad or tablet and offer a factory visit or virtual tour of our workshop;
- Confirm provisional load‑in windows and delivery milestones on the spot; include contingency plans for customs or ADNEC scheduling conflicts.
FAQ
When and where is Make It In The Emirates 2026?
The show runs 4–7 May 2026 at ADNEC (Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre).
What documentation do buyers expect for ICV?
Buyers expect local invoices, supplier/sub‑contractor agreements, VAT and trade licence evidence, manufacture photos and production timelines. Anything that demonstrates the work took place in the UAE and that you can deliver on schedule increases your procurement score.
Do overseas fabrication-only exhibitors stand a chance?
Post‑show data shows exhibitors without verifiable UAE production or local partners typically have low conversion rates. Demonstrable local manufacture or an executed local partnership is a major advantage.
What are common reasons tenders fail after the show?
Common failures include missing local documentation, vague supply‑chain claims and long lead times. Buyers reject offers where the ICV claim cannot be audited quickly.
How can Burdak help demonstrate credible ICV?
We provide in‑house fabrication, 3D mockups, shop drawings and logistics coordination. We produce UAE invoices, supplier agreements and photo‑journals of production that you can submit with tender responses.
Typical lead times for local fabrication?
Typical turnarounds: small booth works 2–4 weeks; complex shell schemes 4–8 weeks. We advise building a conservative delivery plan into procurement responses to maintain credibility.
Preparing now for Make It In The Emirates ICV requirements will put you ahead of competitors. Use Burdak Technical Services’ local fabrication, detailed 3D mockups and documentary packs to demonstrate auditable in‑country value and convert show meetings into contracts.