Sweden's ambassador to the UAE, Fredrik Floren, said his country's pavilion at a jobs fair for UAE citizens showed its commitment to Emiratisation.
The nation's embassy used the Tawdheef X Zaheb event in Abu Dhabi to promote Swedish companies in the UAE as potential workplaces for Emiratis. Swedish companies represented at the event included Ikea, aerospace company Saab, agricultural manufacturing company Alfa Laval and industrial manufacturer Atlas Copco.
Mr Floren told The National that his country's presence at the fair reflected its long-standing commitment to the region. "There are more than 200 [Swedish] companies in the country who have been here since the 1960s," he said.
He has visited 45 Swedish companies in the UAE since taking on his current role late last year. He has seen first-hand the vital contribution Emiratis are making in the workplace, he added.
Opportunity knocks
The fair, which runs until November 21 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, represented an opportunity for companies to find the best Emirati talent, said Vinod Jayan, managing director of Al Futtaim-Ikea.
"We want to hire Emiratis because they know the culture the best and are the future of this country," he said. "It's a symbol of commitment to the country I operate in. All we can tell them [Emiratis] is, come with an open mind and a passion for learning in a collaborative environment, and be humble, which is very much part of Emirati culture."
The UAE's Emiratisation drive aims to increase the number of citizens working in the private sector. Under the drive, companies have until December 30 to take the total workforce representation to 6 per cent. First introduced in September 2022, the targets increase by 1 per cent increase every six months. The goal is for a 2 per cent annual increase to reach 10 per cent by the end of 2026. Smaller businesses with 20 to 49 employees must hire at least one Emirati in a skilled position by the end of this year and another by next year.
Helene Bittmann, managing director of Saab Middle East, spoke about the opportunities available to young UAE citizens. There is a need for talent in the engineering sector, as well as business development, finance and HR, she said.
"The Emiratis that I've been working with so far have shown a strong interest to learn more and are very open minded, they see the bigger picture and they are very ambitious."
Emirati experiences
Sameera Al Hosani, customer service manager in Ikea, who started out in a sales position 12 years ago, said there were not many Emiratis working in the private sector when she first joined the company.
“I really wanted to prove that I could work and perform anywhere as an Emirati," she said. “I was handed mornings shifts, but I wanted to break the routine so I took different shifts, including the closing shift. Anyone who works on themselves can develop and lead fulfilling roles with effort and perseverance."
Mariam Al Tameemi, an engineer at Alfa Laval, said she was immediately made to feel at home at the company. "Ever since I joined, I felt safe and the energy in the company was very co-operative, they welcomed me then as their first Emirati employee," she added.
PRESIDENTS CUP
Draw for Presidents Cup fourball matches on Thursday (Internationals first mention). All times UAE:
02.32am (Thursday): Marc Leishman/Joaquin Niemann v Tiger Woods/Justin Thomas
02.47am (Thursday): Adam Hadwin/Im Sung-jae v Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay
03.02am (Thursday): Adam Scott/An Byeong-hun v Bryson DeChambeau/Tony Finau
03.17am (Thursday): Hideki Matsuyama/CT Pan v Webb Simpson/Patrick Reed
03.32am (Thursday): Abraham Ancer/Louis Oosthuizen v Dustin Johnson/Gary Woodland
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
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Emirates Cricket Board Women’s T10
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Monday, April 6, 7.30pm, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
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Hawks
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July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
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September 30
South Africa v Australia
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October 7
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What is THAAD?
It is considered to be the US's most superior missile defence system.
Production:
It was created in 2008.
Speed:
THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.
Abilities:
THAAD is designed to take out ballistic missiles as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".
Purpose:
To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.
Range:
THAAD can target projectiles inside and outside the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 150 kilometres above the Earth's surface.
Creators:
Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.
UAE and THAAD:
In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then stationed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)
5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
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6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
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6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
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7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
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7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
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Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
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Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
