When the private sector and state insitutions work hand in hand, great things can be achieved. The announcement by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, at a Cabinet meeting on Sunday is firmly rooted in this belief, with incentives for companies that support Emiratisation efforts, while those firms that do not meet their quotas will be expected to financially contribute to the government's Emiratisation programme. The raft of measures will involve the creation of 20,000 new jobs for Emiratis in the next three years, in fields ranging from banking and insurance to aviation and property.
The initiative includes a Dh300 million fund to train 18,000 Emirati jobseekers. Emiratis will be prioritised when it comes to hiring for managerial positions within government institutions and 160 ranked positions in the private sector, which have yet to be announced.
Emiratisation, introduced in the UAE a decade ago, gives a mandate to companies and organisations to increase the number of citizens in their workforces, particularly in the private sector. It is pivotal to the UAE's Vision 2021 plan and a transition from oil dependence to a knowledge-based economy. At its heart is a drive to boost skills and talent throughout the workforce. Traditionally Emiratis have been more drawn to public sector posts offering greater security and benefits. Sheikh Mohammed's announcement levels the playing field by promising guaranteed benefits, such as pensions, in the private sector as well. It means every company with more than 100 employees will be obliged to meet quotas and offer competitive perks.
The policy is clearly working; in October last year, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation announced a doubling of Emiratis recruited in the private sector compared to the year before. These efforts are not contradictory to recruiting and retaining a skilled international workforce. Instead, as Sheikh Mohammed said: “Talent is what establishes a strong and diversified economy that provides great opportunities for citizens and residents.''
A strong knowledge economy, based on the best skills and expertise from around the world, can only be achieved by the public and private sector working in unison. But Emiratisation is only one component of plans for a post-oil economy. As important is an environment that fosters and nurtures creativity and entrepreneurship, and rewards those who have contributed to making the country a better place for all its residents. One such initiative was the launch in May of the Golden Card scheme offering permanent residency to those who have devoted their lives to enhancing services in the UAE and shaping the country. Among the first recipients were Lulu Group’s chairman Yusuff Ali and Mama Zulekha, the UAE doctor who delivered 10,000 children in her 55-year career.
In addition to improving job opportunities, the government has also approved an increase in its 2020 federal budget - which was already the largest UAE budget ever rolled out - a move which is bound to create more jobs and further improve government services.
The UAE is home to 200 nationalities and has the largest migrant population in the world, according to the World Economic Forum. Every year, the nation’s booming economy attracts thousands of talented people from all over the globe. Their valuable contribution to this country’s greatness is unrivalled. Attracting and retaining international talent goes hand in hand with providing more opportunities for citizens to actively partake in their country’s success story. These two drivers are the cornerstones of a knowledge-based economy and are key to securing a more inclusive future, where everyone can contribute to the UAE’s growth and prosperity.
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From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
Company%20profile
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Wednesday's results
Finland 3-0 Armenia
Faroes Islands 1-0 Malta
Sweden 1-1 Spain
Gibraltar 2-3 Georgia
Romania 1-1 Norway
Greece 2-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy
Switzerland 2-0 Rep of Ireland
Israel 3-1 Latvia
Asia Cup Qualifier
Venue: Kuala Lumpur
Result: Winners play at Asia Cup in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in September
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29: Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30: UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1: UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2: Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4: Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6: Final
Asia Cup
Venue: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Schedule: Sep 15-28
Teams: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, plus the winner of the Qualifier
Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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In Search of Mary Shelley: The Girl Who Wrote Frankenstein
By Fiona Sampson
Profile
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
Six things you need to know about UAE Women’s Special Olympics football team
Several girls started playing football at age four
They describe sport as their passion
The girls don’t dwell on their condition
They just say they may need to work a little harder than others
When not in training, they play football with their brothers and sisters
The girls want to inspire others to join the UAE Special Olympics teams
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The Disaster Artist
Director: James Franco
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogan
Four stars
AIR
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
