UAE President reviewed the progress of the ‘Entrepreneurs Programme’ with Emirati industry leaders

ABU DHABI: On August 14, President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed a delegation of the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and a group of Emirati experts from the industrial sector. The meeting included representatives of various industrial companies and stakeholders involved in the ‘Entrepreneurs Programme’, an initiative focused on job creation within the industrial and advanced technology sectors.

The ‘Entrepreneurs Programme’ is part of the Ministry’s wider strategy, which includes the ‘National Intrinsic Value (ICV) Programme’ and the ‘Make It in the Emirates’ initiative. These initiatives aim to promote Emirati employment in the industrial sector and are conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (NAFIS) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

During the meeting held at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, the President was briefed on the achievements and future plans of the event. The initiative focuses on preparing and empowering Emiratis to deliver shares in the industrial sector, which has been identified as a key pillar of the UAE economy. President Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of equipping national talent with the necessary skills for the industrial development of the country. He encouraged the youth to take advantage of the opportunities in this sector, noting that their contributions are essential for the progress of the country.

Minister Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber gave an update on the project’s progress, noting that it had successfully created more than 1,400 specialized jobs by mid-2023 and reached the target of reaching 2,000 by the end of 2024. A goal supported by employment opportunities for Emiratis in the private industry sector, the National ICV Programme, the Make It in the Emirates initiative and other initiatives to promote Americanisation.

The Minister also noted that the number of Emiratis working in the private industry will triple in 2023 compared to 2021, due to the vision of the leadership and the support of initiatives such as Nafis and the Entrepreneurs Program. Despite this progress, there are still significant opportunities for more than half a million jobs in the private industry sector.

The gathering, which included notable figures such as Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, underscored the UAE’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and building a skilled national workforce. The Industrialists program better matches Emirati talent with industry needs following specialized training in key sectors including oil and gas, defense and security, food and beverages and manufacturing.