Latest news with #EmiratiCitizens
Khaleej Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai launches incentive scheme for firms hiring Emirati brokers
Dubai Land Department on Sunday announced that it will implement an incentive points system for brokerage firms that employ Emirati citizens. The authority said that firms that employ more citizens will have their ranking enhanced in its approved evaluation system, positively impacting their competitive position in the market. This is part of DLD's 'Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme' launched to stimulate business environments and support the Emiratisation of real estate professions. The programme aims to increase the percentage of Emiratis working in real estate brokerage to 15 per cent over the next three years. The authority said the programme surpassed expectations so far, with the number of qualified Emirati brokers reaching more than 180 per cent of the annual target. On Sunday, it invited other Emiratis interested in joining the 'Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme' to register through its website. It called on developers and real estate brokers, particularly those who have not had the opportunity to join the Dubai Real Estate Broker Programme in its previous phases, to take part in supporting the programme. It added that the process has been simplified by logging in with the UAE Pass and then requesting to join the training course. To attract more Emiratis, DLD delivered numerous specialised training courses in collaboration with accredited academic institutions. Upon completion of the required training, participants are issued an official real estate broker card valid for three years, allowing them to practice the profession following Dubai's legal and regulatory framework. It added that real estate transactions have exceeded Dh500 million from the programme's launch through the end of April 2025. Furthermore, 231 new real estate brokerage firms have been licensed. The Department held more than 10 meetings and gatherings with its 71 strategic allies from various real estate-related sectors. These include 26 real estate development companies, 38 brokerage firms, and four training and qualification institutes.
Zawya
19-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE records remarkable housing achievements with support exceeding $13.62bln
ABU DHABI - The UAE continues to make remarkable accomplishments in the federal housing sector, enhancing its leadership in urban development and social stability, and strengthening its position among the best countries in the world in terms of quality of life. In H1 2025, the UAE Cabinet approved housing decisions for over 1,838 citizens, totalling AED1.2 billion as part of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, which has provided assistance amounting to AED50 billion since its establishment to date. More than 93,000 Emirati citizens have benefited from this initiative so far, reflecting the country's commitment to empowering Emirati families and providing suitable housing as one of the key pillars of societal stability. In recent years, the programme has witnessed a series of strategic developments that have enhanced the effectiveness of the housing system, accelerated the process of obtaining housing support, and increased customer satisfaction. Additionally, there has been an expansion in partnerships with the banking sector and financial institutions, in line with the country's focus on financial sustainability and innovation in service delivery. Between 2021 and 2024, the programme achieved remarkable results in terms of performance indicators. The time required to obtain a housing support decision was reduced by more than 50%. The percentage of citizens owning homes increased to 91% - a 17% increase compared to 2017, while private sector funding accounted for 76% of the total, confirming the effectiveness of the adopted financial policies. Customer satisfaction surveys also showed that happiness levels regarding housing services doubled today—an increase of 100% compared to 2021—indicating a significant improvement in the efficiency of the government service system. In this context, the UAE Cabinet has approved a new financing policy for the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme extending until 2041. The policy aims to issue 40,000 housing support decisions, divided into four phases. The first phase includes the issuance of 13,000 decisions at an estimated cost of AED11.5 billion, effectively doubling the number of annual decisions compared to previous years. This comes as part of the country's efforts to enhance resource sustainability and improve the efficiency of public spending. The new policy is based on an integrated model between the federal government and national banks, contributing to reducing the financial burden on the public treasury while providing flexible financing alternatives for citizens. Additionally, the Ministry launched several regulatory initiatives in cooperation with the Central Bank of the UAE to address challenges associated with implementing the new policy. These include the 'Flexible Loan,' which allows citizens to obtain housing finance that aligns with their financial capabilities, with the possibility of benefiting from the finance gap for up to four years. Another initiative is the 'Reuse of Housing Assistance Value,' enabling citizens to re-utilise the assistance in case their living conditions change. Moreover, the policy includes an 'Exemption of Retirement Contributions from Total Salary,' which enhances the process of assessing monthly income and expands opportunities for obtaining housing support. As part of the government's efforts to streamline procedures, the Ministry launched the 'Manzili' bundle, which was recognised in the Zero Bureaucracy Awards as the Best Team across the UAE Government in the 'Impact on People's Lives' category. The package contributed to reducing the number of entities a customer must deal with from 11 to just one, the number of procedures from 14 to three, and the required documents from 10 to just one. This was made possible through integration and coordination with 28 partner entities, resulting in saving over 9 million working hours, reducing fuel consumption by 55,000 liters, and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 586,000 kilograms—based on calculations for an estimated 5,000 users annually. The Ministry also launched the national platform 'Darak' as a unified window for offering advisory services and construction packages to citizens. This was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Possibilities, the Social Solidarity Fund for Ministry of Interior employees, and local housing programmes. In a new achievement that reflects the UAE's global standing in the housing sector, the country won the presidency of the General Assembly of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and secured membership in its Executive Board. This recognition strengthens the UAE's role in supporting international efforts in housing and sustainable urban planning. UN-Habitat is an international UN agency headquartered in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It works towards a better urban future, with a mission to ensure adequate shelter for all by promoting the sustainable development of human settlements in social and environmental dimensions. UN-Habitat includes a membership of 193 countries from around the world. Suhail bin Mohammed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said, 'Thanks to the directives of the UAE's wise leadership, the country continues to achieve significant milestones in the housing sector. The housing support decisions, during the first half of 2025, reflect the country's unwavering commitment to providing suitable housing for citizens, as it represents a fundamental pillar in the path of comprehensive development.' He added, 'These remarkable achievements are the result of a strategic vision in which government efforts are integrated with the banking sector under the new funding policy, aimed at empowering Emirati families, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring resource sustainability.' He pointed out that the Ministry, in the coming phase, aims to develop innovative housing projects that align with future needs, reinforce principles of sound financial management, and redefine traditional concepts of homeownership—contributing to improved quality of life, family stability, and the social and economic growth of the nation. For his part, Eng. Mohamed Al Mansouri, Director-General of Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, emphasised that these achievements reflect the forward-looking vision of the wise leadership, which places people at the heart of development plans. He noted that the programme is a fundamental pillar in empowering and stabilising Emirati families. He said, 'We continue working to develop a flexible and innovative federal housing system that integrates government and private sector efforts, aligns with citizens' aspirations, and enhances the UAE's global competitiveness in quality of life and urban development indicators.'
Zawya
13-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE asks private sector firms to meet semi-annual Emiratisation targets by end of june
DUBAI: The Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MoHRE) has renewed its call to private sector companies employing 50 or more workers to expedite meeting their Emiratisation targets for the first half of 2025 before the end of June. This is to avoid financial contributions that will be imposed in July on companies that fail to meet the required targets. The targets include achieving a 1% growth in the number of Emiratis employed in skilled positions relative to the total skilled workforce at the company, while maintaining previous Emiratisation rates. MoHRE has urged Emirati citizens to report any violations and negative practices that contradict the country's Emiratisation policies by contacting the call centre on 600590000 or through the Ministry's smart app and official website. It reaffirmed its confidence in both private sector companies and job-seeking nationals' awareness of the strategic and national benefits, as well as the positive impact of Emiratisation on enhancing the competitiveness of the country's work environment and supporting its economic growth. The Ministry also underlined its ongoing support for compliant companies through the benefits provided by the Nafis programme, and the additional advantages it offers to companies achieving exceptional Emiratisation by granting them membership in the Tawteen Partners Club, which entitles them to financial discounts of up to 80% on the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's service fees, and prioritising them in the government procurement system, thereby boosting their business growth opportunities. MoHRE highlighted the significant support provided by the Nafis platform in facilitating companies to fulfil their obligations, adding that the platform has a rich pool of qualified Emirati talents. It praised the private sector's engagement with Emiratisation policies and the companies' commitment to meeting the required targets, which has positively reflected on the national mandate, achieving unprecedented results. By the end of May, over 141,000 Emiratis were employed across 28,000 private sector companies.
Zawya
09-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Abu Dhabi approves $1.3bln housing benefits package for citizens
Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has approved a housing benefits package worth AED4.62 billion ($1.3 billion) ahead of Eid Al Adha, that will cater to the housing needs of 3,052 Emirati citizens. This comes following the directives of President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. The approved housing benefits package includes housing loans amounting to AED4.4 billion benefiting 2,862 citizens, and exemptions from housing loan repayments totalling AED212 million benefiting 190 citizens, limited-income retirees and beneficiaries of deceased citizens, reported Wam. The disbursement of the second housing package of 2025 comes ahead of Eid Al Adha and reflects the leadership's ongoing commitment to comprehensive development, enhancing the wellbeing and stability of Emirati families, empowering them to actively contribute to the nation's progress, in line with UAE Year of Community objectives aimed at strengthening social cohesion and reinforcing community solidarity. This package brings the total housing benefits delivered to citizens in Abu Dhabi in 2025 to AED11.38 billion, it stated. Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: "The new housing benefits package reflects the leadership's commitment to empowering citizens through the provision of quality housing that promotes family stability and elevates quality of life." Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: "The second housing package of 2025 highlights the depth of our leadership's strategic vision to build a prosperous future, enhancing quality of life and providing sustainable housing solutions that meet Emirati citizens' needs and aspirations." The housing benefits package follows the recent endorsement of an additional community support subsidy of AED250,000 for existing beneficiaries of housing loans, including a reduction of up to 50 per cent in monthly loan instalments, and a wide range of other services and facilities. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arabian Business
05-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Abu Dhabi hands out $1.3bn housing benefits ahead of Eid Al Adha
Abu Dhabi has approved AED4.62bn ($1.26bn) in housing benefits ahead of Eid Al Adha. Under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, approved a housing benefits package worth AED4.62bn ($1.26bn), benefiting 3,052 Emirati citizens across the emirate. The approved housing benefits package includes: Housing loans amounting to AED4.4bn ($1.2bn) benefiting 2,862 citizens Exemptions from housing loan repayments totalling AED212m ($58m) benefiting 190 citizens, limited-income retirees and beneficiaries of deceased citizens Abu Dhabi housing benefits The disbursement of the second housing package of 2025 comes ahead of Eid Al Adha and reflects the leadership's ongoing commitment to comprehensive development, enhancing the wellbeing and stability of Emirati families, empowering them to actively contribute to the nation's progress, in line with UAE Year of Community objectives aimed at strengthening social cohesion and reinforcing community solidarity. This package brings the total housing benefits delivered to citizens in the emirate in 2025 to AED11.38bn ($3.1bn). Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Housing Authority, said: 'The new housing benefits package reflects the leadership's commitment to empowering citizens through the provision of quality housing that promotes family stability and elevates quality of life. 'On this occasion, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and to H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, for their enduring support to advance the housing sector and foster a thriving and cohesive society.' Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of Abu Dhabi Housing Authority, said: 'The second housing package of 2025 highlights the depth of our leadership's strategic vision to build a prosperous future, enhancing quality of life and providing sustainable housing solutions that meet Emirati citizens' needs and aspirations. 'The generous support from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, reaffirms the leadership's steadfast commitment to fostering social and family stability and ensuring a fulfilling life for Emirati families.'
