What is the ICV score and how is it calculated in the UAE?

The In-Country Value (ICV) score is a numerical measure of a company's economic contribution to the UAE economy, calculated according to the MoIAT ICV Template using audited financial statements. The ICV formula aggregates points from: (1) UAE manpower (Emirati and expatriate employee salaries and benefits); (2) UAE goods and services procurement (local supplier spending); (3) Investment in UAE assets (fixed assets, R&D, Emiratization spending); (4) Company's financial contribution to the UAE economy. Maximum scores vary by sector but typically range from 80–100 points. Higher ICV scores provide competitive advantage in ADNOC and government tenders.

Who needs an ICV certificate in the UAE?

ICV certificates are required for: (1) All vendors participating in ADNOC, TAQA, Etihad Rail, Masdar, Abu Dhabi Ports, and other major Abu Dhabi government and semi-government entity tenders; (2) Suppliers registered with Abu Dhabi DED for government procurement preference; (3) Vendors seeking preferential treatment in ADNOC and TAQA procurement scoring. ICV requirements are being extended across UAE federal and emirate-level procurement. Even where not mandatory, a high ICV score provides scoring advantages of up to 10% in competitive bids.

What is the ICV certification process timeline?

The ICV certification process typically follows this timeline: Week 1–2: ICV pre-assessment and score simulation using management accounts; Week 2–4: Review and alignment of audited financial statements with certifying body requirements; Week 3–5: Submission to MoIAT-empanelled certifying body (Bureau Veritas, KPMG, Lloyd's Register, etc.); Week 5–8: Certifying body review, queries, and response; Certificate issuance. ICV certificates are valid for 14 months from the financial year-end date of the referenced audited accounts. Annual renewal requires updated audited financials.

Which certifying bodies are approved for ICV certification in the UAE?

MoIAT has empanelled a list of approved certifying bodies (CBs) that can issue ICV certificates in the UAE. Approved CBs include: Bureau Veritas, KPMG, Lloyd's Register, DNV GL, Intertek, SGS, TÜV Rheinland, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Deloitte, and others designated by MoIAT. Elite JK Foxes has working relationships with multiple empanelled certifying bodies and manages the submission and query-response process on behalf of clients, ensuring smooth certification.

How can Elite JK Foxes improve our ICV score?

Elite JK Foxes improves client ICV scores through: (1) Pre-assessment simulation to identify current score and gap to target; (2) Recommending UAE manpower optimization strategies (increasing Emiratization ratios, additional local hires); (3) Advising on UAE procurement reallocation (shifting spending to UAE-registered and UAE-manufactured suppliers); (4) Identifying UAE-qualified local suppliers as alternatives to imports; (5) Structuring UAE-based capital investments (fixed assets, equipment, IT infrastructure) to maximize ICV points; (6) Ensuring accurate documentation of all UAE-qualifying expenditures in the financial statements.

National In-Country Value Program

Strengthen Your ICV Readiness

Professional preparation, score pre-assessment, supplier cost analysis, and documentation coordination for MoIAT In-Country Value certification in Abu Dhabi.

What is the UAE In-Country Value (ICV) Program?

The National In-Country Value (ICV) program, spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) alongside key participating entities including ADNOC, Aldar, and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), measures the economic contribution of suppliers to the UAE economy. It evaluates local manufacturing spend, procurement of goods and services from local UAE suppliers, Emiratization, investment in the country, and expatriate headcount contribution.

A valid ICV certificate is a pivotal factor in commercial tender evaluations: higher ICV scores directly boost a bidder's commercial standing during government and energy sector procurement.

Who Needs ICV Certification?

· Suppliers & Contractors Bidding on ADNOC Projects: Required to submit a valid ICV certificate with commercial bids.
· Abu Dhabi Government & Semi-Government Vendors: Seeking procurement advantage across Department of Finance tenders.
· Manufacturers & Industrial Entities: Seeking to leverage local capital investments and raw material sourcing.
· Tier-1 & Tier-2 Subcontractors: Supplying goods and services to prime contractors who require certified supplier scores.

Our Comprehensive ICV Support Scope

ICV Pre-Assessment & Simulation
Running complete template simulations to model your baseline score and identify improvement areas.

Audited Financials Alignment
Ensuring IFRS trial balances and audited balance sheets reconcile strictly with the ICV submission template.

Supplier Spend & Cost Analysis
Categorizing local vendors, obtaining supplier ICV certificates, and verifying procurement invoices.

Certifying Body Coordination
Liaising with approved empanelled certifying bodies during the formal audit review process.

Documentation Required for ICV Preparation

· Audited Financial Statements for the latest financial year (prepared according to IFRS)
· Valid Trade License and Commercial Registration
· Detailed general ledger schedules of goods and services purchased
· Valid ICV certificates of tier-1 local suppliers
· MOHRE payroll records, WPS registers, and Emiratization headcount documentation
· Fixed asset register confirming plant, equipment, and UAE investments

Frequently Asked Questions

An ICV Certificate is valid for 14 months from the date of issuance of the audited financial statements, or until new audited accounts are issued, whichever is earlier. Businesses must recertify annually using fresh audited accounts.

Yes. Companies established for less than 10 months without audited accounts can obtain an ICV certificate based on interim management accounts or initial investment equity, allowing them to participate in tenders during their inaugural operating year.

Regulatory Compliance Notice: Elite JK Foxes provides preparation, documentation alignment, and advisory pre-assessment. Official ICV scores and certification certificates are issued solely by independent certifying bodies empaneled by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).

Strengthen Your ICV Readiness

What is the UAE In-Country Value (ICV) Program?

Who Needs ICV Certification?

Our Comprehensive ICV Support Scope

Documentation Required for ICV Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Discuss Your ICV Readiness

Related Services

Strengthen Your ICV Readiness

What is the UAE In-Country Value (ICV) Program?

Who Needs ICV Certification?

Our Comprehensive ICV Support Scope

Documentation Required for ICV Preparation

Frequently Asked Questions

Discuss Your ICV Readiness

Related Services

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