How Contractors Can Maximise Their ICV Score in the UAE
Many contractors in the UAE struggle to win big government contracts. Why? Because their ICV score doesn’t meet the mark. Imagine getting passed over again and again, not because of your quality, not because of your price, but because your ICV score isn’t competitive.
However, you can fix this. With a few focused steps, you can start increasing your ICV score and stand a better chance in every tender you apply for.
JCA’s (Jitendra Chartered Accountants) ICV certification services in the UAE help you obtain an ICV certificate based on your most contemporary audited financial statements, along with assisting you with techniques to boost your ICV score.
What Is the ICV Score and Why Does It Matter?
The In-Country Value (ICV) score assesses the extent to which a business supports the UAE’s local economy. It tracks things like how many UAE nationals you hire, how much you spend on local suppliers, and how much you invest within the country.
A higher ICV score means better chances during government procurement. Many tenders now require companies to show their ICV certificate in the UAE and an improvement plan. It’s no longer optional; it’s a key part of doing business in the UAE.
Smart Ways Contractors Can Boost Their ICV Score
- Source More from Within the UAE
Buy from within the UAE; it’s that simple. Whether it’s raw materials, tools, subcontracting work, or maintenance services, local purchases add up in your ICV score. This step directly supports the UAE economy and shows your commitment to national goals.
Practical Tip: Start with a vendor list review. Replace international suppliers with qualified UAE-based alternatives. Every local invoice counts.
- Hire and Train UAE Nationals
Hiring Emiratis can significantly boost your ICV score. It shows you’re not only contributing to infrastructure but also investing in people.
What You Can Do:
- Recruit UAE graduates.
- Offer internships or apprenticeships to locals.
- Set up in-house training programs for Emirati staff.
Building local talent also improves your reputation and helps meet Emiratisation requirements.
- Invest in UAE-Based Operations
Instead of outsourcing or buying from abroad, consider setting up facilities in the UAE. Open service centres or small manufacturing units. Even partnerships or joint ventures with local entities count as investment and will raise your score.
- Transfer Skills and Technology
Work with UAE universities, research centres, or local businesses to transfer skills and technology. This could be through:
- Joint product development
- Hosting workshops
- Offering mentorships
When your business helps develop local expertise, it adds value to the wider economy—and that gets noticed in your ICV evaluation.
- Engage in Local Community Projects
Support community events. Sponsor educational or social programs. Join environmental campaigns. All these actions help demonstrate your business’s role in the wider development of the UAE, and yes, they add to your ICV score.
Understanding How ICV Score Is Calculated
Your ICV score depends on what type of contractor you are:
- For Manufacturers
(Local Manufacturing Cost + Emirati Salary + 60% of Expat Salary)÷ Total Cost - For Service Providers and Suppliers
(Local Purchase Value × Supplier’s ICV) + Emirati Salary + 60% of Expat Salary÷ Total Cost - For Investments
25% of your total assets located in the UAE are counted.
(Net Book Value of UAE Assets) ÷ (Total Net Book Value)
These calculations reward businesses that hire locals, source locally, and invest within the UAE. Seek assistance from ICV certification services in the UAE to calculate your score correctly and obtain a certificate.
Plan Ahead With an ICV Improvement Plan
To stay competitive, your ICV certificate in the UAE isn’t enough. You need an ICV Improvement Plan. This plan outlines the steps you will take in the next few months or years to raise your score.
Some practical ideas to include:
- Shift 30% of raw material sourcing to UAE-based vendors.
- Hire at least two UAE nationals within the next six months.
- Allocate a budget to sponsor a local education or training initiative.
- Set up a small joint venture with a UAE-based service company.
ICV certification services in the UAE can also help you build a proper improvement plan and strategy.
How can Jitendra Chartered Accountants Help?
Winning contracts in the UAE is no longer just about submitting the lowest bid or delivering the fastest. It’s also about how much your business gives back to the local economy. Get an ICV certificate in the UAE and calculate your score with the help of our experts at JCA. JCA professionals help you improve your ICV score, stay ahead in tenders and grow your business.