Category Archives: Govt

Red Sea Global (RSG) signed an agreement to launch the third batch of its Red Sea vocational training program, in partnership with the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and King Abdulaziz University (KAU) under the vision of His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, Governor of Jeddah. The program, launched on July 25, 2023, will consist of three tracks that will serve Red Sea Global’s destinations: Hospitality, Tourism Security and Information Technology. Admission is open to all Saudis who meet the requirements via RSG’s website. Successful graduates will be employed at either Red Sea Global or one of its partners. “Through this partnership, we will be creating a substantial pool of qualified professionals with the skills and resources needed to establish a new and successful tourism industry in the Kingdom,” said RSG Group CEO John Pagano. RSG’s vocational training programs are a demonstration of its commitment to supporting young Saudis to participate in the growth of the Kingdom’s promising tourism sector and positioning the country on the global tourism map. Last Wednesday at King Abdulaziz University, RSG and HRDF celebrated the graduation of the first batch of the Red Sea Vocational Training Program students, giving them the title of ‘Tourism Generation’. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi and a number of top officials, in addition to the graduates and their parents.

Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced the launch of the ‘Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp’, a new sustainability initiative that seeks to recognise hotels with the highest adherence to DET’s 19 ‘Sustainability Requirements’. The initiative, launched in line with the UAE Year of Sustainability, is part of DET’s commitment to strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable tourism destination. Developed in collaboration with Dubai’s hospitality sector, the new stamp is designed to accelerate efforts towards empowering the tourism sector to achieve its sustainability goals and support the UAE’s NetZero 2050 initiative. As Dubai continually strives to achieve the objectives outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, the initiative will contribute to further consolidating the city’s status as one of the top three global destinations. The Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will serve as a validation of the hotel’s dedication to sustainability and showcase its sustainable practices. To obtain the stamp, hotels of all classifications must meet the highest standards of DET’s 19 Sustainability requirements, which include criteria such as energy and water efficiency, waste management programmes, and staff education and engagement initiatives. The accreditation process will be overseen by a committee of senior industry professionals to ensure integrity and independence, with the initiative designed based on global best practices. The stamp will feature a three-tier scheme with categories ranging from Gold, Silver and Bronze. Nominations for hotel establishments to obtain the Dubai Sustainable Tourism Stamp will begin on 3 August, 2023 and end on 31 August, 2023. Yousuf Lootah, Acting CEO of Corporate Strategy and Performance sector, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism stated: “As part of our efforts to transform Dubai into a leading sustainable tourism destination in …

NEOM partners forum will see more than 1,500 job openings for local young talent from the NEOM and Tabuk regions who have successfully completed the registration process based on an evaluation to match their skills and backgrounds with available opportunities. Aiming to attract young people with potential who can take part in building the new future and contribute to NEOM’s development, the event has been established to provide prospective employees with the opportunity to apply for positions offered by leading local and international companies involved with NEOM. The job seekers will be able to submit their applications directly at the forum, as well as engage in networking activities and meet employers through in-person interviews. The second edition of “NEOM Partners Employment Forum” gets underway at Tabuk University, with the two-day event bringing together 20 major local and international companies from NEOM’s top partners involved in its various projects and sectors Attendees at the job fair will also benefit from sessions offering tips and guidance on developing professional resumes, excelling in job interviews and seamlessly landing career opportunities at the right place and time. In line with NEOM’s environmental sustainability efforts, all applications and submissions will be processed digitally to reduce the use of paper and preserve natural resources. Consistent with NEOM CSR strategy’s ‘Enhancing Quality of Life’ track, NEOM is organizing the forum to strengthen its ties with the local community, offer them exceptional livability standards, and develop for them a sustainable and thriving business environment that fosters innovation and supports ambition. Through its social responsibility strategy and development programs, NEOM continues to empower students, graduates and job seekers, supporting them to achieve their aspirations and unlock their full potential. …

The prestigious event will be hosted at the city’s Madinat Jumeirah from 1–2 November 2023 under the theme ‘Shifting Economic Power: Dubai and the Future of Global Trade.’ Powered by Dubai Chambers, the transformational two-day forum will bring together key public and private sector stakeholders from across the globe to forge partnerships, cultivate international networks, and unlock a world of opportunities. It is set to bring together leaders from sectors including technology, retail, finance, travel and hospitality, real estate, and healthcare to participate in insightful discussions on transforming business for the future. Previously known as the Global Business Forum (GBF), the Dubai Business Forum is set to play an instrumental role in achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). Announced in January 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, D33’s ambitious blueprint features 100 projects aimed at doubling the size of Dubai’s economy over the coming decade and consolidating the emirate’s position among the top three global cities worldwide. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Chambers has announced the launch of the Dubai Business Forum. With Dubai leading the world across a wide range of industries, and particularly in future-facing sectors, the forum will gather visionary Heads of State, government officials, global business leaders, and major international investors to redefine the rules of success. Commenting on the launch of the forum, His Excellency Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, said: “Shaping the future requires concerted efforts, and we remain fully dedicated …

Dubai’s stature as a global meetings incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination continues to soar with the city registering a strong year-on-year growth of 44% in business event bid wins in the first half of 2023. The outstanding growth in the number of global events being hosted by the city contributes further to its economic growth in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau and part of the Department of Economy and Tourism, worked with partners and stakeholders to win 143 conferences, congresses, meetings and incentives in the first six months of 2023. These events – which will take place over the coming years – are expected to bring over 94,000 additional visitors to the city, including global experts and leaders in their respective fields. The surge in event wins serves as a testament to the dynamic momentum of growth witnessed not only within Dubai’s business events sector but also across its broader economy in recent years. The events captured include 24 association conferences, congresses and meetings, which are set to contribute to driving Dubai’s knowledge economy forward. Renewed growth from China alongside ongoing momentum from India contributed to 84 incentives won by the city. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, our focus on capturing business events that bring value to the city continues to deliver strong results. Dubai’s robust proposition, built not only on world-class business events infrastructure and …

Dubai Aviation City Corporation through its affiliated corporation Dubai South, the largest single-urban master development focusing on aviation, logistics and real estate, announced the signing of an agreement with Dubai Insurance Co. PSC (DIN) to initiate a comprehensive Employee Protection Insurance programme for the employees of all Dubai South licensees registered under the Dubai Aviation City Corporation. This will come into effect starting August 2023. The agreement, which took place at Dubai South HQ, was signed by HE Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South, and Abdellatif Abuqurah, CEO of Dubai Insurance, in the presence of senior executives from both entities. Dubai Aviation City Corporation as the licensing and the regulatory body of Dubai South Free Zone aims to create a protected environment for employees working within Dubai South. As such, this programme is designed to provide a safety net for employees in instances where Dubai South licensees may not meet their obligations, covering aspects such as unpaid salaries and end-of-service gratuities, repatriation costs of return for its employees or their mortal remains, and unreimbursed expenses. The programme will also be mandatory on all new employment visas and work permits, whereby employers must adopt this scheme to protect their employees. In contrast, for existing visas, this scheme will be mandatory during the renewal of residence visas. HE Khalifa Al Zaffin said: “This partnership aligns with the UAE’s strategic vision for employee rights and corporate governance. The implementation of the Employee Protection Insurance programme will significantly boost the confidence of our licensees, showcasing our unwavering dedication to fostering an exceptional working environment and reaffirming our commitment to upholding Dubai’s competitive position on the global stage.” …

Dubai Chambers has announced the launch of the Service Excellence Programme, a new initiative aimed at promoting an exceptional customer service culture, encouraging best practices within the private sector, and elevating customer service performance across the emirate. The programme is designed to evaluate the quality of customer experience delivered by private sector companies through mystery shopper reports. The initiative marks another significant milestone that advances the chambers’ role in supporting Dubai’s drive to achieve excellence in customer service and ensure the implementation of global best practices within the emirate’s business community. The Service Excellence Programme recognises the outstanding contributions of companies that embody Dubai’s vision for the future by delivering value-added services for their customers. The evaluation process includes a brand performance service category and a branch performance service category. Companies registered in the programme will receive surprise visits from mystery shoppers, with the results shared as part of a comprehensive report on a quarterly basis. His Excellency Abdul Aziz Abdulla Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chambers, commented: “The Service Excellence Programme represents a quantum leap in our efforts to foster excellence in customer service within the private sector and develop standards that align with Dubai’s vision for the future of business. The mystery shopper visits aim to drive a culture of continuous improvement and empower companies to excel in serving their customers, ultimately enhancing their brand reputations and ability to retain customers. In today’s business landscape, world-class customer service is a key pillar of success and a prerequisite for companies looking to boost their competitiveness in the market.” His Excellency added: “Our programme is a unique initiative that combines personal mystery shopper visits to the branches and headquarters of …

“Dubai further consolidated its status as the world’s leading tourist destination in the first half of 2023. We welcomed more than 8.5 million international visitors in the first six months of the year while Dubai Financial Market (DFM)-listed companies recorded a total market value of AED652 billion. Dubai also strengthened its status as one of the world’s top three hubs for wealth owners, and one of the fastest-recovering cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very proud of what we have achieved so far this year, and the confidence that we have inspired in the global community,” His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, said Dubai continues to reinforce its position as a major global economic hub, guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority’s Khatm Melaha Customs Centre has received an official delegation from the General Administration of Abu Dhabi Customs and the Federal Customs Authority to exchange experiences and review practices applicable in this land port, which is one of the best and most prominent across the country. His Excellency Mohammed Ibrahim Al Raisi, Director of Ports and Border Points Affairs and Chairman of the Organizational Committee of Ports and Border Points in the Emirate of Sharjah, received the visiting high-level team. The delegation included His Excellency Mubarak Matar Al Mansouri, Executive Director of the Customs Operations Sector at Abu Dhabi Customs; Abdullah Mohammed Al Khumairi, Director of the Policy and Governance Department; and Salem Issa Al Hammadi, Director of Operations Sector Projects, along with a number of officials from both sides. The visiting officials were briefed how the Sharjah Ports, Customs and Free Zones Authority has been managing the border crossings in the Emirate, the work mechanism of the Organizational Committee of border crossings and points, leveraging modern technologies in customs operations and customs inspection, in addition to the methodology for qualifying young national resources and preparing leaders. During a visit meeting, Khatm Melaha border crossing’s unit managers and heads of departments gave a presentation for the updates and studies on the development of the port, the work mechanism and the most prominent initiatives, achievements and implemented activities. Afterwards, the delegation had a field trip for examining the separately-built entry and exit paths of vehicles and trucks, in addition to the technical support building equipped with the latest inspection equipment and systems, the operations room of the customs port, and the customer happiness center in …

Red Sea Global (RSG) has awarded two major contracts to Saudi Airlines Catering Company (SACC) in order to create over 500 new jobs to design, build and operate a Central Production Unit (CPU) for catering services for employee meals, as well as laundry services for The Red Sea destination including employee uniforms and hotel linen. As a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, RSG is playing a critical role in diversifying the economy and creating opportunities for Saudi nationals to break into the tourism sector. As part of the 70,000 jobs that The Red Sea destination will create once fully operational, this collaboration will offer more than 500 new industry roles for talent within the Kingdom. “We are dedicated to ensuring our partners and employees who live and work at The Red Sea receive seamless services. SACC, with over 40 years of experience in catering and amenities, coupled with a deep understanding of the Saudi market, will provide the high standards we expect,” said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global. “It is equally important to us that the communities around our developments have the opportunity to benefit. SACC shares these values and together we will develop local supply chains by looking to work with neighboring businesses, farmers and artisanal producers wherever possible.” The agreements were signed in Riyadh in the presence of John Pagano, Group CEO of RSG, and Wajdy M. Al-Ghabban, CEO of SACC. A number of senior executives from Red Sea Global as well as SACC’s Chairman of the board of directors and other members of the Board and executives were also in attendance. Mr. Mohammed Al-Sarhan, Chairman of Saudi Airlines Catering Company, expressed his pride alongside …