AatmaNirbhar Bharat Expo

About The Show

”AatmaNirbhar Bharat”, or “Self-Reliant India”, is an ambitious policy framework introduced by the Government of India in May 2020, designed to foster economic self-sufficiency, reduce reliance on external resources, and enhance India’s role in the global economy. Rather than promoting isolation, this vision is focused on strengthening India’s domestic industries, empowering innovation, and integrating the country more effectively into global supply chains.

The India-UAE relationship has moved beyond simple “buying and selling” to a Strategic Economic Integration. Below are the facts and figures that justify why the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Expo is an essential requirement for the GCC market right now.

1. The $100 Billion Non-Oil Trade Roadmap

The Expo is a direct response to the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has fundamentally changed the cost of doing business.

The Milestone: India-UAE bilateral trade reached $100.06 billion in FY25, positioning the UAE as India’s 3rd largest trading partner and 2nd largest export destination. (Source: IBEF/Ministry of Commerce).
Zero-Duty Access: Over 90% of Indian products now enter the UAE at 0% customs duty, specifically benefiting labor-intensive sectors like textiles, gems & jewelry, and engineering. (Source: UAE Ministry of Economy).
CEPA Impact: Non-oil exports from India to the UAE grew by 25.6% annually in the first two years of the agreement. (Source: Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India).

2. Demographic Purchasing Power (The “Day 3” Opportunity)

The expo’s focus on B2C for the final day is backed by the sheer scale and wealth of the Indian diaspora in the region.

Population Growth: The Indian expat population in the UAE has surged to 4.36 million as of late 2024/early 2025—doubling in just over a decade. (Source: Consul General of India, Dubai).
Economic Influence: Indians constitute roughly 35% of the total UAE population. Crucially, over 60% of CFOs in the UAE are of Indian origin, highlighting their role as primary decision-makers in both corporate procurement and private investment. (Source: Indian Ambassador to the UAE).

3. Why Sharjah? (The Industrial Heart)

Choosing the Expo Centre Sharjah is a strategic move for B2B and B2G exhibitors.

Industrial Concentration: Sharjah accounts for approximately one-third of the UAE’s total manufacturing output. (Source: Oxford Business Group).
Non-Oil Dominance: Nearly 96% of Sharjah’s economic output is now driven by non-oil sectors, with manufacturing and construction contributing over AED 72.5 billion to the GDP. (Source: Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development).

At the AatmaNirbhar Bharat Expo, you will experience:

Showcase

A showcase of India’s dynamic industrial landscape and technological advancements.

Entrepreneurship

The Startup India Pavilion, where young entrepreneurs can present their breakthrough ideas to global investors and partners

Networking

A unique opportunity to network, collaborate, and build strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers, government officials, service providers, and industry experts.

Sector-Specific Performance (2025-26)

These figures prove the high demand for Indian goods in the GCC market right now:

Sector	Key Figure (FY 2025-26)	Significance
Engineering	$10.98 Billion in monthly exports (Dec 2025).	Engineering is India’s mainstay, making up 28.5% of total merchandise exports. (Source: EEPC India).
Electronics	40.63% Growth (Apr-Aug 2025).	The fastest-growing segment, ideal for the Expo’s “Digital Bridge” theme. (Source: PIB India).
Real Estate	$3.35 Billion FDI inflow from UAE.	UAE is the 7th largest investor in India, with a massive focus on infrastructure and food parks. (Source: IBEF).
Agri-Tech	100+ Startups supported via APEDA.	The “Bharati Scheme” launched in late 2025 targets B2B tie-ups in the GCC for food security. (Source: APEDA/PIB).

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