What ICV is and why it exists
ICV — In-Country Value — is a UAE government programme assessing the in-country economic contribution of a supplier. The programme started in Abu Dhabi with ADNOC in 2018 and has expanded to ADQ, Mubadala, Aldar, EGA and many other Abu Dhabi government-linked buyers. ICV scoring is used in tender evaluation: higher ICV improves competitiveness.
What gets scored
Four main components: (1) local goods purchased; (2) local services purchased; (3) local manpower (Emiratisation included); (4) investment in fixed assets in the UAE. Scoring is documentation-heavy — audited financial statements + supplier invoices + payroll registers.
Certification process
Engage an ICV-Certifying Body (a list of approved firms — typically Big-4 audit firms and certain specialised consultancies). Provide audited financials, supplier breakdowns, payroll data, asset register. The Certifying Body assesses, issues an ICV certificate valid for 14 months.
Cost and timeline
Certification cost: USD 4,000-15,000 depending on company size. Timeline: 4-8 weeks from data submission. Companies with revenue under AED 1 million typically have a simpler 'micro' certification path.
Tender uplift
ICV score is weighted into tender evaluation alongside price and technical. ADNOC weights ICV at 30-50% of evaluation in some tenders. A high ICV company can win a tender at higher price than a low-ICV bidder.
How ArxSetup helps
We coordinate ICV certification with our approved Certifying Body partners — preparing the data pack, advising on legitimate ways to improve score (Emiratisation, local sourcing, capital investment), and managing the audit cycle. From USD 6,500 all-in.
Updated 16 May 2026 by ArxSetup, Managing Partner.