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Emiratisation Records 87 Per Cent Growth

SHARJAH - Emiratisation in the Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) has seen 87 per cent growth in 2008 as compared to 75 per cent in 2005, according to a top official.

Member of the Sharjah Executive Council and Director General of the SEDD Ali Salem Al Mahmoud said while 121 of the 162 the department’s employees were United Arab Emirates nationals in 2005, the number had risen from 176 to 219 employees in 2008.

“The department, in collaboration with the Department of Human Resources Development, is holding forums and courses for qualifying and training nationals,” he said.

“Around 50 employees have also been promoted, and 22 others have their positions amended,” he furthered.

A group of UAE investors of small projects, as part of nationals’ qualifying and training process, had been delegated to the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor for electronic upgrading.

Other investors have participated in exhibitions in Thailand and China. Though the department had appointed 116 new staffers, 70 resignations were submitted over the last three years.

“Those resignations were basically due to interruption of work, disciplinary decisions, pensions, transfers, marriage, low performance and better job offers elsewhere”, he elaborated, adding that 50 employees were upgraded and 22 others had their positions amended over the same period.

Meanwhile, the low grades and salaries being offered at the department are the main reason behind the shortage of staff in the studies and statistics section.

“The department, having only one economic and two statistic researchers, seeks help from consultative companies in terms of feasibility studies and researches,” he said.

The Sharjah Pioneering Projects Supporting Establishment, known as Ruwad, which is located in the department’s building, has supported 27 national projects, of which seven were financed through Islamic banks and others were exempted from fees.

“Ruwad not only finances projects, but most importantly provides training and consultation to whoever wants to start a project. Ruwad has recently qualified 218 entrepreneurs, and organised three forums and 12 courses,” he ended.

· ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com