The labor market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently very reliant on the public sector, it has been claimed.

Writing for the National, Shaikha Al Maskari explained that private businesses need to contribute more towards the employment of Emiratis in order for the economy to flourish.

She explained that the public sector will eventually be unable to meet the career demands of graduates and government-led initiatives such as Abu Dhabi's Tawteen program are important to redress this balance.

According to the Emirati business leader, improvements are needed to connect companies with candidates from the states, including large multinational organizations that could provide individuals with the skills required to run their own successful enterprises in the future.

Dr Al Maskari proposed: "To link Emiratis with these firms, a bridge program could build mechanisms into contracts that create opportunities for national employees."

A Regional Economic Outlook from the International Monetary Fund recently noted that a predicted rise in the economic growth rates of oil-exporting nations in the Middle East could provide additional jobs in the region, including within the UAE, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Posted by Lee Thrace