Phase 2 of Absher initiative launched

Abu Dhabi: The second phase of the “Absher initiative” was launched yesterday by General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Shaikh Mohammad said the Absher initiative, which was launched by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in November 2012, is designed to promote Emiratisation and help get more Emiratis into the job market.

He said the initiative is a unique and valuable one that serves the interests of the nation and citizens as the President pledged to fulfil the requirements and aspirations of the young people and provide them with all means of stability and a dignified life.

“Development initiatives launched by Shaikh Khalifa, including Absher, reflects the keenness of the wise leadership to enhance development plans in all social and economic sectors in line with the a comprehensive and integrated strategic vision,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

He called on all organisations and companies to take part in the initiative so as to create a real partnership that would contribute to developing all economic sectors and provide them with national cadres in a manner that ensure a further progress and prosperity in the country.

On the sidelines of the launch ceremony, agreements were signed between the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, which is supervising the initiative, and 16 new bodies and organisations, to create 3,768 jobs for Emiratis, in addition to the 20,000 jobs that were announced in the first phase of the initiative that need to be created over the next five years.

During the occasion, Shaikh Mohammad met with representatives of companies and bodies who newly joined Absher initiative. He praised their decision for participating in this initiative, which he said benefits all parties, and wished them more success and progress.

Mohammad Ahmad Al Humairi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, signed the agreements with the representatives of the new bodies that joined the initiative.

Signing the agreements on behalf of the organisations were Abdul Aziz Abdullah Al Ghurair, Chairman of Al Ghurair Group, Khaldoun Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, and Managing Director of Mubadala Development on behalf of Mubadala, Mohammad Hassan Omran Al Shamsi (Higher Colleges of Technology).

The other bodies also included Al Sqr Group, Gulf Pharmaceutical Industries (Julfar) , UAE University, Ducab, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Sharaf Group, Falcon City of Wonders, Hemaya Security Service, Eisa Al Gurg Group, Bu Khater Group, Noor Investment, International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), and Khansaheb Civil Engineering Company.

Shaikh Mohammad also met with the representatives of bodies and corporations that took part in the first phase of the initiative and ensured its success.

He lauded the role of agencies and organisations which contributed to the implementation of the unique Emiratisation campaign and enhanced the presence of national cadres in all areas in both the public and private sectors.

“It is the UAE citizens who are the cornerstone and assets of the nation, not oil. Our investment will be in Emirati citizens,” Shaikh Mohammad said.

“The Emiratisation strategy to employ national cadres in the labour market will continue to search for all possible means to prepare and train them not only in the public sector, but also in the private sector,” he added.

Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, hailed Shaikh Mohammad’s patronage of the second phase of Absher, to empower Emiratis in the job market.

He thanked and profoundly appreciated Shaikh Mohammad’s eagerness to boost such initiatives aiming at ensuring job security and stability for Emiratis.