His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, has launched the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council's Nafis initiative to boost private sector employment in Al Ain, in collaboration with the Central Bank of the UAE. The initiative aims to accelerate achieving the UAE’s Emiratisation targets by providing job opportunities and training programmes tailored to specific geographical areas, fostering Emiratisation through strategic partnerships with key stakeholders across vital economic sectors nationwide.
The initiative also aims to create 2,000 jobs and offer 2,000 training opportunities in Al Ain. The first phase of the initiative, which extends until 2026, will provide 1,700 job opportunities in the financial and banking sectors. This phase is being implemented in collaboration with leading banks operating in the UAE, including Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and HSBC.
The initiative was launched during a meeting between His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and Board Member of Nafis; His Excellency Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council; and His Excellency Saif Hamid Al Dhaheri, Assistant Governor for Banking Operations and Support Services at the Central Bank of the UAE; as well as CEOs and board members of the banks participating in the initiative.
His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan was briefed on the first phase of the employment initiative in Al Ain Region, the latest updates of the Emiratisation programme within the private sector, and Nafis’s efforts to further enhance the competitiveness of Emirati talent. His Highness also reviewed the Central Bank’s strategy for Emiratisation in the banking and insurance sectors and plans for recruiting national talent in the Al Ain Region over the next two years.
His Excellency Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE and Board Member of Nafis, emphasised the Central Bank’s commitment to supporting Emiratisation in the financial sector by implementing strategies and plans to train and equip Emirati talent from the Al Ain Region with advanced skills and expertise to lead this key sector. His Excellency extended special thanks and appreciation to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan for enduring guidance and unwavering support of initiatives that advance the local development journey, stressing that this support is fundamental to creating sustainable job opportunities in the Al Ain Region.
His Excellency Ghannam Butti Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council, expressed gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his continued support of Emiratisation efforts, emphasising that such initiatives align with the UAE government’s agenda to accelerate Emiratisation and realise the leadership’s vision of enhancing Emirati participation in the private sector.
As part of this initiative, the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council is developing strategic plans and overseeing operational initiatives to enhance and support efforts in training and employing Emiratis in the Al Ain Region through strategic partnerships in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
