The number of Emirati citizens working in the private sector in the UAE has reached over 100,000 for the first time, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, said.

This represents a significant increase compared to previous years, as 70,000 Emiratis joined the private sector in just the past two and a half years, Sheikh Mohammed said.

This followed the launch of the Nafis programme by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which has provided AED24 billion in support to boost Emiratisation efforts.

New legislation has also been introduced to further encourage the localisation of the workforce, Sheikh Mohammed said, adding that the policies aim to boost economic growth across the country.

“In the Council of Ministers, we adopted a new policy by giving employment preference in the government sector to those with 3 years of private sector experience. Our appreciation and thanks to the work team at Nafis and the Ministry of Emiratisation and Human Resources, which my brother Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed is following up on this important national file.. Our private sector and our government sector work in harmony and integration. The national and non-citizen workforce enjoy hundreds of thousands of opportunities provided by our national economy. Our goal is to add 100,000 new jobs for citizens during the next three years, God willing. The future of our country, our youth, and our economy will be more beautiful, better, and greater, God willing,” Sheikh Mohammed said via X.