The UAE encourages different working models, all a part of the nation’s efforts to create a flexible and competitive global work environment
The UAE encourages different working models, all a part of the nation’s efforts to create a flexible and competitive global work environment
The UAE encourages different working models, all a part of the nation’s efforts to create a flexible and competitive global work environment
The UAE encourages different working models, all a part of the nation’s efforts to create a flexible and competitive global work environment


Attracting talent is a top priority for the UAE


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January 24, 2022

Like every government in the world, the UAE is adapting to an economic future in which the phrase “business as usual” will become increasingly obsolete. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has begun to usher in new methods of connection, production, consumption and value creation, with great speed and in ways that challenge the limits of what is possible.

This, though, is a landscape replete with opportunity. Artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, nanotechnology, space exploration, 3D printing and quantum computing all have the potential to not just change the world but provide access to entirely new ones – real and virtual. In the coming decades, a nation’s success will depend on how quickly and how broadly these new technologies can be developed, deployed and, perhaps most importantly, distributed.

It is a challenge the UAE is certainly priming itself for. In the “Projects of the 50”, the package of initiatives that will guide the nation’s economic and social path over the next half century, our government put forward an agenda designed to position the UAE as a destination where the brightest minds and the boldest ideas can flourish, and where the technologies of the future can be used as a means of universal economic advancement.

Trying out the Evoteq AI cycle safety at the RTA stand at Gitex in 2021 at the World Trade Centre, in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Trying out the Evoteq AI cycle safety at the RTA stand at Gitex in 2021 at the World Trade Centre, in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Getting there requires vision, leadership and a spirit of collaboration, whether between countries or between governments, institutions and the private sector. Above all, though, it requires talent.

Writing in the Harvard Business Review in March 2020, Becky Frankiewicz and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic stated that technological transformation isn’t so much about tools and hardware as it is people. “You can pretty much buy any technology,” they wrote, “but your ability to adapt to an even more digital future depends on developing the next generation of skills, closing the gap between talent supply and demand, and future-proofing your own and others’ potential.”

It is a view that mirrors our own. Attracting, developing and retaining talent has always been a national priority for the UAE – the welcome we have extended to dedicated, ambitious and innovative individuals of more than 200 nationalities is central to the nation’s success and unique character. According to Insead’s Global Talent Competitiveness Index for the year 2020, the UAE ranks third globally and first regionally in its ability to attract talent, and more than a quarter of the world’s largest 500 companies have an international or regional headquarters in the country.

Visitors at the Dubai Watch Week 2021 held at DIFC Gate in Dubai on 24th November, 2021. Pawan Singh / The National
Visitors at the Dubai Watch Week 2021 held at DIFC Gate in Dubai on 24th November, 2021. Pawan Singh / The National

There has also been success in attracting the skills to leverage the technologies of the future. According to LinkedIn, the UAE saw a net inflow of 23,000 skilled people between January 2020 and April 2021, a 13 per cent increase as a measure of the total size of UAE LinkedIn members – and all this despite the ongoing obstacles presented by the global pandemic.

Interestingly, of this 23,000, the most noticeable influx came from those with digital disruptive skills, in fields such as AI, robotics and cybersecurity. Between 2015 and 2020, the UAE saw a 100 per cent increase in these skills in the workforce, which underlines the nation’s long-standing commitment to adopt and harness the technologies of the future.

Of course, as we look to a new year – and for the UAE, a new half century – we know there is much more to be done. The competition between nations in attracting and developing global talent has intensified as knowledge-based economies flourish; we have seen post-Brexit UK reassert its status as a magnet for international professionals and students with a Global Talent Visa, while Australia has created a Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce to ensure they remain competitive. Talent will soon trump financial capital as a driver of national economic success.

Dawn Barnable at a co-working space in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, September 26, 2019. Victor Besa / The National
Dawn Barnable at a co-working space in Souk Al Bahar, Downtown Dubai, September 26, 2019. Victor Besa / The National

So, what is at stake? It is our conviction that individuals with the ability to acquire, create and apply knowledge will be crucial to our goal of doubling the economy from Dh1.4 trillion to Dh3 trillion by 2031. To that end, the UAE government has launched a two-pronged strategy: firstly, to incentivise global talent to come and live in the UAE and engage fully with its economic, social and cultural life; and secondly, to develop world-class skills from the high-calibre talent pool already here.

To achieve the former, the government of the UAE has recently launched a series of landmark initiatives, beginning with the April launch of the Strategy for Talent Attraction and Retention, a 10-year, holistic plan to facilitate immigration pathways, enhance social insurance features, and increase workforce flexibility and mobility. This was followed by the aforementioned recent “Projects of the 50”, which delivered a package of talent-focused provisions such as enhanced residency and visa pathways for investors, skilled professionals and high-achieving students, including the planned introduction of a specialist “green visa” category.

Most recently, in November, the employment law was upgraded to accommodate and encourage different working models, including part-time, freelance and temporary work, as well as offering enhanced employee rights and leave policies. It is all part of the nation’s efforts to create a flexible and competitive work environment in line with global standards.

In terms of talent development, the UAE government has rolled out a number of initiatives, including the “Compete” programme, which has pledged Dh1.25 billion to train nationals in skills central to the national economy. The Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology are offering training around the adoption of 4IR technologies, while the One Million Arab Coders campaign, first launched in 2017, was recently boosted by the offer of a $1 million cash prize for the most innovative coding project.

These efforts will have clear benefits. They will help the UAE to develop a more agile, future-proof economy, elevate industrial output, increase the volume of our advanced technology exports and add Dh25 bn to national GDP by 2031.

High-calibre talent will also help our industries attract foreign direct investment, facilitate knowledge-transfer in advanced technologies and forge stronger multilateral relationships with key global partners – all of which will contribute to greater economic stability and security for the country’s residents.

As we look to 2022 and the continued recovery from the pandemic, skilled human capital will be regarded as the foundation of economic growth and international competitiveness. The UAE will continue to create an environment that welcomes, nurtures and champions it.

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The specs: 2019 Audi A8

Price From Dh390,000

Engine 3.0L V6 turbo

Gearbox Eight-speed automatic

Power 345hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy, combined 7.5L / 100km

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs

Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

WWE TLC results

Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair

Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins

Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles

Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax

Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match

Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre

Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match

Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match

Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day

R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox

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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Company%20profile
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Updated: January 24, 2022, 6:00 AM`