The UAE has had an offset program for the better part of 30 years. It was originally conceived as an inducement for investment in industrial ventures in the UAE that would contribute to the diversification of the UAE’s economy. This underlying purpose continues today. However, the offset program, as originally devised, looked for development in non-military and non-hydrocarbon sectors. This narrow focus has long been abandoned, leading the program to landmark achievements in these sectors and others.

The offset program has given rise to Mubadala, Abu Dhabi’s leading strategic investor, while the original defense focus of the offset program has been assumed by the Tawazun Economic Council. But the original hallmarks of the UAE offset program have remained constant – a focus on economic diversification, technology transfer and development of personnel; a target of 60% in offset credits based on the underlying procurement contract value; bank guarantees to ensure performance; and an eight year time frame (now reduced for some projects) within which to achieve the offset milestones -- all governed by a contractual framework. The latest iteration of the guidelines for the offset program, published on March 31st on the website of the Tawazun Economic Council and called the Tawazun Economic Program Policy Guidelines, clarify the program’s expectations and offer guidance to contractors.

The new guidelines afford increased scope for the development of technology-driven projects that extend beyond the defense and security industry, to now include aerospace; infrastructure and transportation; communication technology; education technology; sustainability, environment and climate change; food and water security; and other strategic sectors as advised from time to time by Tawazun.

With the added focus on technology integration, Tawazun will also consider projects that comprise dual-use of stand-alone specific technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data analytics, blockchain, additive manufacturing, virtual and augmented reality, advanced information technologies, quantum computing and encryption, robotics, internet-of-things, advanced energy capture, storage and propulsion and smart materials and smart sensors.

Offset obligations are triggered when a supplier (or group of suppliers) reaches a threshold value of USD 10 million in awarded contracts. Under the previous guidelines, this would occur when the value of a series of contracts reached the threshold value. In a significant change, offset obligations now attach only when a single contract of no less than the threshold value is awarded. Contracts of lesser value awarded thereafter are also brought under the offset program for as long as the supplier has an active account with Tawazun, but not contracts of lesser value awarded to a supplier with no active account with Tawazun.

Other aspects of the program remain similar to the previous guidelines. A defense contractor must sign a framework Offset Agreement to enter the program and then sign a separate supplemental agreement to govern the specific obligations incurred in respect of each supply contract.

Investment vehicle options available to defense contractors have been widened with the new program. These now include investments (in the form of joint ventures with local partners, non-equity co-production, or technology co-development); contractual engagements with local businesses; and capability development programs through which technical expertise is shared with local partners or employment created for UAE nationals.

Other key changes to the program include the removal of input and output ratios for credits; the addition of enhanced parameters for the assessment and apportioning of credits (defense contractors can now generate credits in nine different ways); and a bonus multiplier scheme that rewards projects in the higher end value chain, that produce local content or create high skilled jobs for UAE nationals.

Defense contractors are now also permitted to “bank” or “trade” excess credits they have generated for a period of five years following the completion of a project, and use such banked credits against future obligations or transfer or trade these credits to other entities with obligations.

Where a project results in a shortfall in credits at the end of the period wherein a defense contractor is eligible to generate credits, a defense contractor can choose between either paying 8.5% of the shortfall value or rolling over the shortfall value by amending an existing (or by signing a new) supplemental agreement in order to perform another project.

In the case where Tawazun deems a project to be non-performing, it will notify the defense contractor and provide it 180 days to rectify the situation. In the case that the defense contractor is unable to rectify the situation, Tawazun may collect the maximum penalty by liquidating the full (or remaining) bank guarantee amount, declaring the defense contractor to be in default, notifying the relevant government entities, and/or taking further action as necessary.

It is hoped that the new program will enable defense contractors to identify more accessible opportunities to generate offset credits and meet their obligations towards the UAE government. ■