Al Habtoor Group ramps up Emiratisation Programme: “Think Emirati”

The Al Habtoor Group is aggressively ramping up its Emiratisation Programme, or Absher Initiative. The Group has set up a committee upon request of the Chairman, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor to enhance and reinforce the programme it launched last year. The Emiratisation committee is being spearheaded by former banker Paul Rayner, who is the Advisor to the Chairman.  It also includes Emirati Abdul Salam Al Marzooqi who is the Director of Community Relations and other key representatives from each of the Al Habtoor Group division. 

Rayner said, “It is a collaborative effort that involves all the Al Habtoor Group, which includes Habtoor Hotels, Al Habtoor Motors, Diamondlease and Emirates International Schools. The purpose of the committee is to ensure that the Group fully supports the government initiative and to ensure that we employ the best. We want Emirati’s that are looking for a career in the private sector and who will grow with Al Habtoor.” 

 His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai labeled 2013 the year of Emiratisation and the Al Habtoor Group has come up with its own slogan for the programme: Think Emirati. 

The committee has just appointed two Emiratis to drive the hiring process; Fatma Hassan Mattar Al Haddad has joined as Emiratisation Manager and Bushra Ali Ahli joined as Emiratisation Coordinator. Fatma has a wealth of experience in the private sector having worked for Emirates Airline and Al Futtaim Group, while Bushra previously held positions at the Prime Minister’s Office and at General Motors. 

Al Habtoor said, “I want to ensure we have all the policies and procedures in place to drive a successful Emiratisation Programme that attracts and retains quality staff. The Al Habtoor Group is giving the programme a top priority. We want to guarantee sustainability in the programme which is why I have selected a committee to drive it to success.”