New jobs growth in GCC set to rise by up to 5% this year

New jobs growth across the GCC region is expected to increase from 3 per cent to 5 per cent this year after slowing in the second quarter, a new report by recruitment specialist Cooper Fitch has found.

Job creation in the region decreased by 3 per cent in the second quarter, compared with 2 per cent growth in the preceding quarter, in a reflection of the market during the holiday period, Cooper Fitch said in its Gulf Employment Index report on Monday.

“It’s not a negative impact on the Gulf jobs market, as this was anticipated as organisations experienced a slower start to the quarter due to Ramadan and then two Eid holidays coupled with the start of the summer months,” Cooper Fitch said in the report, which monitors new job activity and employment trends in the region.

UAE Salary Guide 2023 – in pictures

Salaries across the GCC region are expected to rise by an average of 5 per cent this year amid a buoyant hiring market driven by strong market confidence and a boost in investments, recruitment specialist Hays Middle East said in its GCC salary report.

Technology remains the GCC’s most active industry sector for hiring, with 77 per cent of organisations increasing their headcount last year, Hays said.

Industries in the GCC that recorded the biggest increase in hiring in the second quarter included the public sector, property, cyber security, digital, data, artificial intelligence, and sales and marketing, the Cooper Fitch employment index report found.

New jobs growth for GCC public sector roles soared 12 per cent compared with the first quarter, while demand increased for highly specialised international subject matter experts, the research found.

The GCC recorded an 8 per cent increase in the number of new positions in the sales and marketing sector, driven by demand for digital marketing, e-commerce and customer relationship specialists, as companies try to boost their online presence by creating engaging content and implementing effective digital marketing strategies, the report said.

Real estate jobs in the GCC registered an increase of 8 per cent in the second quarter, the Cooper Fitch study found.

There has also been a rise in recruitment activity for project delivery and controls roles, along with a continued demand for professionals with asset and facilities management experience.

The consultancy expects an increase in roles from Abu Dhabi government sectors, including power and water utilities.

Similarly, there was a 7 per cent increase in the second quarter for cyber security jobs in the GCC due to the high number of security breaches globally, according to Cooper Fitch.

“Currently there is a lack of professionals with expertise in threat assessment, digital forensics and incident response, making hiring a challenge,” the consultancy said.

“After the global technology layoffs at the end of 2022, other sectors have shown improvements such as digital, data and AI, which saw a rise in quarter two with local governments pushing for the digitisation of services and processes, creating a need for data-driven insights and employment opportunities.”

The demand for HR professionals in the GCC grew by 4 per cent, with significant increase in interest in HR advisory solutions around benchmarking and compensations and benefits, and talent acquisition and talent management professionals who have expertise in diversity, equity and inclusion, Cooper Fitch found.

The Gulf finance market had a positive second quarter, with an increase in vacancies in both senior finance at 7 per cent and finance at 4 per cent.

There has been a notable increase in activity from companies across oil and gas, manufacturing and transport looking for job seekers to fill a range of finance positions, the report said.

“Profiles with traditional finance expertise are more desirable to organisations if they have project finance or investment appraisal experience as they expand their operations,” it added.

Banking and financial services recorded a 3 per cent increase in new jobs in the second quarter.

“There is strong interest from overseas senior bankers to move to the GCC, this includes private, investment and corporate banking,” Cooper Fitch said.

“There has also been an influx of new financial services organisations coming to the region.”

What sanctions would be reimposed?

Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:

An arms embargo
A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods

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COMPANY%20PROFILE

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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

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Racecard

5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m

The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

THE%20STRANGERS'%20CASE

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What is a calorie?

A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.

One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.

A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.

Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.

Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.

BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES

SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities

Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails

Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies

Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay

%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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