UAE Ranks Fifth in UNIDO's Quality Infrastructure Index Among Mid-Sized Economies

The index is published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation with the International Network on Quality Infrastructure. It measures five areas: standardisation, metrology, accreditation, conformity assessment and quality policy. The UAE also ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa, the ministry said. The results were announced at UNIDO's 2026 Global Quality Forum, timed with World Quality Day on November 12.

The ranking matters for manufacturers and exporters because standards, testing and certification determine how easily UAE-made products can enter foreign markets, including those of countries that have Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements with the UAE, ministry officials said. The government ties the system to its industrial strategy, known as Operation 300bn, and the Make it in the Emirates programme.

Dr. Farah Al Zarooni, assistant undersecretary for standardisation affairs and chair of the National Committee for Quality Infrastructure, said the UAE has adopted about 29,000 standards, 92% of them aligned with international standards. Industrial companies' participation in writing standards rose from 17% in 2020 to 46% in 2025, she said.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, said the ranking "demonstrates the effectiveness of national policies and legislation" and that the ministry would keep developing standards, legislation and technical regulations to support industrial exports. Undersecretary Hasan Jasem Al Nowais said the ministry is working to get more industrial companies to use the system to meet technical and regulatory requirements.

The ministry said the UAE sits on the council of the International Organisation for Standardisation and the management board of the International Electrotechnical Commission, giving it a role in drafting the international standards that govern trade in industrial goods.