Visited Al-Futtaim Group and met with members of the UAE Human Resources Development Council

Ahmed bin Mohammed: The private sector is a key partner in achieving Emiratisation targets

Ahmed bin Mohammed listens to an explanation about achieving the objectives of the UAE Human Resources Development Council in Dubai. WAM

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, stressed that "the Emiratisation file is one of the most important files that the Government of Dubai pays all attention and care, and this is evident through the tireless efforts exerted to open the way for national competencies to participate in the labor market within various disciplines, and the government's attention and encouragement to Emiratisation programs in the private sector, which it considers a key partner in activating the national targets of this strategic file."

His Highness expressed his appreciation to the institutions and private sector companies that show real cooperation and tangible participation in the success of the Emiratisation file, and support the goals aimed at supporting employment opportunities for citizens in the private sector, raising their competitiveness globally, and opening the way for Emirati competencies in this sector.

His Highness said: "We appreciate the pioneering role and inspiring model of our national institutions, which are aware of the magnitude of their responsibility and their influential role in the success of Emiratisation goals. Dubai has always presented a unique image of partnership between the government sector and its private counterpart. We expect this partnership to yield more opportunities for Emirati cadres in the labor market and within various disciplines."

This came during a visit by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum yesterday morning to the headquarters of Al-Futtaim Group in Festival City in Dubai, where he was received by His Highness Omar Abdullah Al Futtaim, CEO and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Futtaim Group, and a number of the group's leaders.

At the beginning of the visit, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met with members of the UAE Human Resources Development Council in Dubai, chaired by Eng. Sultan Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Council.

His Highness listened to an explanation from the Chairman of the Council on the progress made in achieving its objectives, especially in ensuring that the educational outcomes of Emirati students are aligned with the requirements of the labor market in the emirate, especially within the strategic priority sectors.

His Highness was also briefed on the Council's efforts to expand the qualification of Emirati competencies and capabilities and increase their opportunities in the private sector through coordination with the various economic sectors operating in the emirate, in order to employ nationals in the private sector, support their joining vital sectors, and confirm their active participation in advancing development efforts.

During the visit, His Highness the Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai listened to an explanation of the Emiratisation program and strategy at Al-Futtaim Group, where Omar Al Futtaim stressed that "the Emiratisation file is one of the priorities of the group, and this is reflected in its Emiratisation strategy embodied by the (Senyar platform), which constitutes an umbrella for the group's programs and initiatives in the field of Emiratisation, and aims to build a generation of Emirati talents and local cadres, to support them in their career and enable them to achieve their ambitions, by reaching a Emiratisation rate of 10% within the next two years. Providing job opportunities and qualification for nationals in eight vital sectors in the group over the next five years."

Omar Al Futtaim discussed the Group's role in the labour market as an incubator for Emirati cadres that sponsors their development and refines their talents, with the aim of enhancing their competitiveness and readiness to assume administrative and leadership roles within the public and private sectors, through its strategy for the next five years, which is based on a set of important axes, most notably: the establishment of a special fund to support the Emiratisation strategy in Al-Futtaim Group worth AED 150 million, the launch of the Al-Futtaim Emiratisation Council, and the target of increasing the percentage of Emiratisation in the group to 10% within the next two years.

In addition, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum toured Al-Futtaim Group's overall work and management specialties, where he met with a number of Emirati employees working in the various departments of the group, and learned from them their experience and impressions about working in the private sector, and their ideas on how to encourage more young Emiratis to join this sector, and not be satisfied with job opportunities in the government sector.

At the end of the meeting, His Highness took memorial photos with the group's leaders and employees, who expressed their great happiness with this visit, which reflects the wise leadership's appreciation for private sector institutions and national business institutions in Dubai.

Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai:

• "We appreciate the pioneering role and inspiring model of our national institutions that are aware of the size of their responsibility and their influential role in the success of Emiratisation goals."

• "Dubai has always presented a unique image of partnership between the government sector and its private counterpart. We expect this partnership to yield more opportunities for Emirati cadres in the labor market and within various disciplines."

33,<> employees

Established in the thirties, Al-Futtaim Group is one of the region's largest and most diversified and evolving businesses, with more than 33,20 employees across five operating sectors: automotive, financial services and insurance, real estate, retail and healthcare. The Group spans more than 200 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa, partnering with more than <> innovative and world-leading brands.

The group established the Intelaq program in 2022 for the administrative development of citizens, to attract national competencies to work in the private sector, and accelerate their appointment to senior management positions. In 2021, the Group established the Al-Futtaim Emiratisation Council as part of its Emiratisation strategy to oversee the Group's recruitment programmes, and is a member of the UAE Human Resources Development Council in Dubai, which implements plans and strategies to support Emiratisation plans in the private sector.