Conference highlights growth of digital economy, Emiratisation

Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The GCC HR & Labor Market Conference has highlighted the growth of the digital economy and discussed various plans and key decisions to boost Emiratisation in business sectors.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, on Monday attended the opening of the 6th edition of the GCC HR & Labor Market Conference being organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) from October 14 – 15 at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

The two-day event is being held under the theme “Gulf Labor Market in Light of the Growth of the Digital Economy”, in collaboration with the Secretariat General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Federation of GCC Chambers.

The opening session was inaugurated by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Vice Chairman of Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Expo Centre Sharjah, in the presence of Nasser Bin Thani AL Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, who was the guest of honor of the opening session.

Keynote speakers included Dr. Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Dr Sami Bin Abdullah Al-Obaidi, Vice-President of the Federation of GCC Chambers, Chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers.

Two documentary films were screened during the opening session. The first documentary was about the development phases of the conference. While the second film was on the Sharjah Gulf Localization Award and efforts made by the UAE and other Gulf countries to develop the human capital and the role of the conference in this regard.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, honored Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Dr. Sami Bin Abdullah Al-Obaidi, and jury members of the Sharjah Gulf Localization Award as well as the winners.

Sheikh Abdullah, accompanied by the SCCI’s chairman and a number of Emirati and Gulf officials, inaugurated the conference’s accompanying exhibition, where he was briefed on the services provided by the participating entities in the conference.

He then inaugurated the “Youth District” initiative, which is one of the SCCI Youth Council’s initiatives.

In his keynote address, Abdullah Sultan Al Owais lauded the unlimited support of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah for all efforts being made to develop the performance and skills of Emirati human capital and invest in their capabilities.

The SCCI’s chairman thanked Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, for patronizing and attending the opening session of the conference, noting that this would enrich and enhance the value of the event.

“In the past and like other GCC countries, the UAE relied on oil resources to support its revenues and economy. Due to constant fluctuations in oil prices and the resultant impact on the development process, the wise leadership has determined to move towards the post-oil economy stage, by developing alternatives taking into account available resources and launching a set of strategic plans and key decisions to boost Emiratization in business sectors and make it a key principle for both public and private sectors”, said Al Owais.

The SCCI’s chairman also shed light on the ‘letter of the new season of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in which he underlined that Emiratization is a top priority, as well as the directives given by His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah to place Emiratis working in the private sector under the umbrella and protection of the Government of Sharjah, while receiving the same salary and job grade”.

Concluding his speech, Al Owais called for following up and implementing the recommendations and initiatives of the conference while utilizing it to develop and enhance the Gulf human capital through a joint effective vision.

On the sidelines of the conference, Al Owais launched the SME Center Initiative (Trade 101), which aims to support and motivate young people to engage in business and economic activities, and create a conducive business environment that would ensure the sustainable development in society.

In its first phase, the centre will train 10 young women and men in specific disciplines including managing and organizing exhibitions, auditing, tax collection, translation, e-commerce, hospitality, design and graphic photography.

For his part, Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli said: “This conference comes at a time where we are going through global transformations and economic, technical and environmental changes that directly affect the GCC labor markets. Thus, all officials and decision-makers have to reconsider strategies and policies governing labor markets.

Al Hamli stressed the importance of addressing constantly arising challenges by developing practical solutions and getting ready to the future, citing Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid’s quote as saying: The future is not something we wait for, but something we make”.