The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Department of Government Enablement (ADDGE) have launched the Abu Dhabi Golden Vendor List. As a key element of the Abu Dhabi Local Content (ADLC) Programme, the Golden Vendor List builds on the success of Abu Dhabi’s Golden List while introducing key additions to further support local businesses and drive economic growth.
The updated list was launched during the inaugural Abu Dhabi Business Week (ADBW), in the presence of His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, His Excellency Fahed Salem Alkayyoomi, Undersecretary of the Department of Government Enablement - Abu Dhabi, Mohammad Al Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at ADIO, and other officials and distinguished guests.
The Golden Vendor List significantly expands the scope and impact of Abu Dhabi’s Golden List scheme, positioning it as a critical tool for boosting local procurement and fostering sustainable industrial development. This development includes a comprehensive range of 145 industries, making it easier for government entities and private sector companies to source from a wider selection of high-quality local suppliers.
The list has expanded to cover 74 per cent of the government’s product-based procurement needs, ensuring local suppliers are well-positioned to align their capacities with government requirements. Going forward, the list will be further developed to include services with high government demand.
Products and services included on the Golden Vendor List will now be integrated into the Abu Dhabi Government tendering process, enhancing the emphasis on local content within its commercial evaluation formula. Under the updated framework, a proportion of the score will be allocated to participation in the Abu Dhabi Local Content Programme, with Golden Vendor List’s contribution to this formula set to increase progressively. This strategic shift underscores the government’s commitment to fostering local content and driving the growth of Abu Dhabi’s industrial sector.
With the Golden Vendor List, companies can raise their contributions to the local economy by enhancing the local manufacturing sector, increasing their purchases from local suppliers, and employing UAE Nationals.
In addition to expanding the vendor base, the Golden Vendor List introduces Harmonised System (HS) codes, an internationally recognised system of names and numbers to classify products. This standardisation enables a more streamlined procurement process, allowing local suppliers and buying entities to engage in efficient, data-driven transactions with greater confidence.
Mohammad Al Kamali, Chief Trade and Industry Officer at Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), said: “The Abu Dhabi Golden Vendor List is a critical step forward in accelerating Abu Dhabi’s economic growth and promoting the sustainable development of its thriving industrial sector. By aligning government procurement processes with the capabilities of local manufacturers, we are fostering a more resilient and diversified economy, driving innovation, and supporting job creation and skills development. This initiative is designed to expand the presence of local industries within government procurement, enabling them to grow and thrive.”
The Golden Vendor List aims to leverage government spending to support local industries. By prioritising local content, the list drives job creation, fosters upskilling opportunities, and empowers the local workforce, aligning with Abu Dhabi’s broader strategic economic goals. It also provides investors with transparent access to government tenders, enabling them to strengthen local supply chains and contribute to long-term economic growth. The list promotes technology adoption and increased investment in research and development (R&D), stimulating innovation across industries and supporting the foundation for a more resilient and diversified economy.
The updated list also aims to position local businesses to better meet government demand and accelerates the growth of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil sectors, driving sustainable development and reinforcing the emirate’s long-term economic vision.
