The United Arab Emirates (UAE) intends to spend some $6.53 billion over the next five years in order to create jobs for 75,000 Emiratis in the private sector.
It has also unveiled a series of initiatives to extend financial support and aid career development for local residents. Within the healthcare field alone, the government aims to have 10,000 of its citizens working as nurses within five years.
Government monetary assistance will include pension fund or retirement contributions, training costs, child support and salary aid, with monthly allowances ranging between 800 dirhams and 8,000 dirhams.
The majority of positions in private-run companies in the UAE are occupied by expatriates. Most of the UAE nationals are concentrated in government offices.
As of 2010, the Emirati population stood at less than one million (947,947), while the rest of the residents (more than 7 million) were expatriates, according to official sources.
At the launch of the latest set of initiatives on Sunday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, highlighted the importance of increasing the participation of UAE nationals in private companies.
“The future is in the private sector… the government and private sector are partners ,” the Dubai ruler said on Twitter.
“Consistent with our ambitions to empower our people and enhance the strength and sustainability of our economy, the UAE is launching a dedicated plan to boost the employment of UAE nationals in the private sector, which will play a vital role in our nation’s long-term development,” added Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.