In-Country Value (ICV) in Procurement
In-Country Value (ICV) programmes encourage spending that stays in the national economy. Suppliers obtain an ICV certificate from an accredited body, and the ICV score can influence how tenders are evaluated.
Procurement is not only about price. In-Country Value (ICV) programmes are designed to direct more of the value of contracts back into the national economy — through local manufacturing, local goods and services, local employment and investment. In the UAE, ICV has become an important part of how many public and semi-public organisations evaluate suppliers, so contractors and their supply chains need to understand it.
This lesson explains ICV at a general level: what it measures, how the certification works, why it affects tender evaluation, and how contractors prepare. It deliberately avoids any specific percentages, weightings or formulas, since these are set by the relevant programme and can change — the focus is on the concept and the practical workflow.
How it works
ICV measures how much of a supplier's value stays in the country. Broadly, ICV looks at contributions such as local goods and services sourced, investment in local assets, and the employment and development of the national workforce, expressed through a recognised methodology. The intent is to reward genuine local economic contribution rather than simply re-badging imports.
Certification is obtained from an accredited body. A supplier generally has its ICV calculated and certified by an accredited certifying body based on its audited financial accounts, resulting in an ICV certificate that represents its score for a defined period. Buyers rely on this certificate rather than on self-declared figures.
The ICV score can influence tender evaluation. In programmes that use ICV, a supplier's ICV score may be considered alongside the commercial and technical evaluation, so a stronger ICV position can improve competitiveness. The exact way ICV is applied in any tender is defined by the buyer's procurement rules.
Project-level ICV commitments may apply on awarded work. Beyond a supplier's certificate, some contracts track the ICV actually achieved on the project — for example through local sourcing and employment during delivery — so contractors plan and record how they will meet those commitments. This connects procurement intent to delivery behaviour.
Contractors prepare by strengthening genuine local value. Practical steps generally include sourcing from local manufacturers and suppliers where suitable, investing in local capability and people, keeping good records, and maintaining a valid ICV certificate. Building real local value over time is more durable than chasing a one-off number.
Main types
In the UAE
- In-Country Value (ICV) programmes are widely used in UAE public and semi-public procurement to encourage value that remains in the national economy.
- Suppliers generally obtain an ICV certificate from an accredited certifying body based on audited accounts, and buyers rely on the certificate rather than self-declared figures.
- The way ICV is weighted in any tender is set by the buyer's procurement rules and the relevant programme, so the specific requirements should be confirmed per opportunity.
How GPR applies this
GPR engages with In-Country Value requirements as a UAE-based contractor — maintaining a valid ICV certificate, sourcing from local manufacturers and suppliers where suitable, employing and developing local capability, and keeping the records needed to support ICV on tenders and projects. This helps our clients meet their procurement objectives while strengthening genuine local value.
Frequently asked questions
What is In-Country Value (ICV)?
It is a measure of how much of a supplier's value stays in the national economy — through local goods and services, investment and workforce — used to encourage local economic contribution in procurement.
How do I get an ICV certificate?
An accredited certifying body generally calculates and certifies your ICV score from your audited financial accounts, issuing a certificate valid for a defined period.
Does ICV affect winning tenders?
In programmes that use ICV, a supplier's ICV score may be considered alongside commercial and technical evaluation, so a stronger position can improve competitiveness; the exact application is set by the buyer.
What counts toward ICV?
Broadly, locally sourced goods and services, investment in local assets and capability, and employment and development of the national workforce, per the recognised methodology.
Is project ICV different from a certificate?
Yes. A certificate reflects a supplier's overall score, while some contracts also track the ICV actually achieved on the specific project during delivery.