A panel of experts convened by theย British Business Groupย Dubai and Northern Emirates (BBG) has revealed the opportunities for growth and diversification that come with the UAE Governmentโs renewed Emiratisation initiatives. Amid concerns among businesses about the annually increasing quota for Emirati employees, the panel pointed to the potential for better interaction with local enterprises and government entities, as well as the ability to embrace diversity in the workforce.
Moderated by BBG Director for Government Relations, John Martin St. Valery OBE, the panel discussion drew on the expertise of Abeer Husseini and Haider Hussain, Partners at Fragomen in Dubai; Diana Wilde, Founder of Aurora 50; and James Binding, Managing Director of Binding Partnerships. Running alongside the debate was a live poll, questioning members of the audience on their understanding and preparedness for the localisation directives.
Set in the context of the UAE Centennial Plan 2071 and Saudi Arabiaโs Vision 2030, the Emiratisation and Saudization initiatives can help to activate a change in mindset, according to the panel. Ms. Wilde said, โItโs not about chasing quotas and avoiding fines. This an opportunity for multinationals in particular to reframe their approach to inclusivity in the workplace, to build relationships and to boost productivity with the support of local talent. We need to create working environments that attract and retain locals and foster collaborations that enable better business performance.โ
Mr. Hussain added, โEmployers need to look at the bigger picture and understand what the government is trying to achieve, to align their own business strategy with the national vision. Emiratisation must be integral to the recruitment process, and upskilling local employees to take on leadership roles should be seen as an opportunity to strengthen the organisation.โ
Addressing concerns around the availability of talent, Ms. Husseini said, โLocal graduates are increasingly aware of the opportunities that come with private sector employment, such as learning and development, working with other nationalities, and long-term career growth. There has been a shift in mentality among the younger generation who have been overseas for their education and are now looking for that international exposure in their professional life.โ
Speaking about boosting the local talent pool, Mr. Binding added, โThere is an appetite to contribute to achieving the visions the regional governments have set out. Weโve seen a lot of mobility among Saudi nationals moving out of the provinces to participate in the urban masterplan projects. This commitment means that we also have the opportunity to attract some of the best talent back to the region from overseas. We need to work with higher education providers as well, to identify local talent and help build bridges with employers at an early stage through mentoring and internships.โ
According to the audience polls conducted alongside the discussion, 65% of respondents were aware of the importance of specific criteria for local hires, though 20% were yet to meet the localisation quota in their own organisation. With 44% of respondents saying they were lacking clear guidance on the process, the experts stressed the need to reference original government sources for information and advice.
Concluding the discussion with an audience Q&A, the panel explained some of the practical steps that businesses can take towards localisation, including registration on the Nafis platform, which connects local jobseekers with hiring companies.
Speaking about the importance of the event, Katy Holmes, General Manager, BBG said, โWe are continually looking for ways to support our members in the region. Where we see a change or a development that will affect UAE business operations, we work with experts within our membership and provide a platform for knowledge sharing, connectivity and awareness. This eventโs purpose was to show the opportunity of localisation and inform our members beyond what they assumed, and I am sure that we succeeded in this with such a great panel.โ
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