Sharjah 24: Leading local officials from commercial, educational and other key development sectors have emphasised the increasingly central role of social media and other emerging communication platforms in directing local talents into the UAE’s industrial sector, fostering trust between consumers and the industrial sector while simultaneously creating fresh avenues for attracting foreign direct investments (FDI).
While leading a panel on the second day of the International Government Communication Forum (IGCF 2024), organised by UAQ Chamber of Commerce & Industry and titled ‘The Role of Communication in Strengthening National Industry’, speakers H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary General of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafes); H.E. Ammar Al Alili, Director General of the UAQ Chamber of Commerce & Industry; and Ibtisam AlSaadi, Director of Industrial Policies & Legislation at the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology, have stressed on leveraging strategic communication to drive UAE’s industrial growth, enhances the nation’s global reputation and boost the integration of local talent into the private sector and industrial sectors.
Ghannam Al Mazrouei highlighted the critical role of communication in altering perceptions about the private sector among Emiratis and promoting the UAE’s talent competitiveness programme, Nafes. He said, “Through various mediums, including social media, we were able to reach Emirati talent during the pandemic and reshape their views on working in the private sector. Since then, we’ve seen a remarkable increase, with over 114,000 Emirati youth joining the sector since the initiative’s launch.”
For his part, Ammar Al Alili discussed how communication tools have been instrumental in attracting investors to the UAE. He noted that the UAQ Chamber of Commerce & Industry leveraged these tools to market the emirate’s infrastructure, incentives, and the UAE’s flexible legal framework, which has significantly boosted the emirate’s industrial sector. He said: “Communication has been central to promoting our emirate and its facilities, leading to the growth of industry and the establishment of over 13,000 factories in UAQ. "The government of UAQ has expanded the industrial zone to reach an area of 10 million square feet, with a factory occupancy rate of 96%.”
Ibtisam AlSaadi underscored the importance of utilising influencers and reliable communication channels to share vital information about the UAE’s industrial achievements. She said: “Communication is key in ensuring the public receives accurate information from trusted sources. Through initiatives like ‘Make it in the Emirates, we are showcasing our capabilities and promoting Emirati talent to the world, with our products and services exporting worldwide and even reaching markets as large as China.”
The panellists emphasised that effective communication will remain essential in fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, supporting innovation, and maintaining the UAE’s leadership in sustainable industrial development.
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