The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PepsiCo to expand the Future Industries Lab. The partnership aims to bolster the capabilities of local SMEs and equip the next generation of Emirati talent with practical experience in the industrial sector.
Quick Facts
- MoU signed between MoIAT and PepsiCo.
- PepsiCo is the first F&B partner to join.
- Focus on training Emiratis and empowering local SMEs.
A Hands-On Approach to Industrial Training
The agreement, announced at the fifth Make it in the Emirates event in Abu Dhabi, makes PepsiCo the first food and beverage company to join the Future Industries Lab. This collaboration is designed to provide participants with direct exposure to the inner workings of a global industrial giant.
Under the MoU, participants will gain experience across various functions within PepsiCo’s UAE operations, including brand building, supply chain management, sustainability, and finance. The program also includes visits to the facilities of PepsiCo’s bottling partner, Dubai Refreshment Company, offering firsthand insights into manufacturing and operational processes.
Bridging Public and Private Sector Expertise
The partnership is a key part of MoIAT’s strategy to leverage public-private collaboration to enhance the national industrial ecosystem.
His Excellency Hasan Jasem Al Nowais, Undersecretary of MoIAT, commented: “This partnership reflects how the UAE is leveraging public-private collaboration to develop capabilities, empower SMEs, and support talent in industry. The Future Industries Lab opens new opportunities for young Emiratis and supports industrial companies in their growth and competitiveness.”
PepsiCo joins a network of leading companies contributing technical and industrial training in areas such as operations, quality, and market access through the Future Industries Lab.
Wael Ismail, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for International Beverages at PepsiCo, stated: “Joining the Future Industries Lab gives us the opportunity to work more closely with young Emiratis and SMEs that will shape the future of industry in the UAE. PepsiCo has been part of the UAE for 60 years, and we have seen firsthand how much can happen when government and business work together with a long-term mindset.”
About MoIAT
The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) of the United Arab Emirates shapes industrial policies, advances technology transformation, enhances the competitiveness of the national industrial sector, and develops the UAE’s quality infrastructure. Established in July 2020, the Ministry was created to empower the national industrial sector and accelerate industrial transformation across the UAE. MoIAT builds strategic partnerships and leads national initiatives that support the growth of future industries, strengthen economic resilience, and attract industrial investment.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $94 billion in net revenue in 2025, driven by a beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, and Quaker. Guiding PepsiCo is its vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), a strategic transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of its value creation and growth.
Source: Zawya
