Government workers offered chance to run own businesses

Emirati citizens working in the Government sector are being offered a full year's leave on half pay should they wish to run their own businesses.

Their jobs will also be kept open.

The plan was announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, following a Cabinet meeting held a Al Watan Palace, Abu Dhabi, on July 7.

His Highness tweeted that the plan was approved to "encourage our youth to take advantage of the huge commercial opportunities offered by our national economy."

In other business, the Cabinet reviewed the UAE's economic results compared to before the pandemic.

"47% growth of our non-oil exports...16% growth in foreign investment...126% growth of new companies registered in the country...Our economy is fine and growing," His Highness wrote.

The meeting also rubber-stamped the latest initiatives announced by the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme, "We decided to approve housing loans for citizens at a value of 2.4 billion dirhams during the next six months, with 500 beneficiaries per month. Our goal is to complete 13,000 homes from the Zayed Housing Program in the coming years," tweeted Sheikh Mohammed.

Sheikh Mohammed also honoured the Mother of the Nation during the Cabinet meeting. "Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, as the most important figure supporting gender balance in the country, (her) journey in empowering Emirati women represents an exceptional model in this field at the regional and global levels," he tweeted

وأقررنا اليوم ضمن المجلس قرار إجازة التفرغ للمواطنين العاملين في الحكومة الراغبين في إدارة أعمالهم الحرة .الإجازة تبلغ عام كامل بنصف الراتب مع الحفاظ على الوظيفة ..هدفنا تشجيع شبابنا على الاستفادة من الفرص التجارية الضخمة التي يوفرها اقتصادنا الوطني .. pic.twitter.com/3UpZ8PG8yY

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 7, 2022

وكان أفضل ختام ليومنا تكريم أم الإمارات الشيخة فاطمة بنت مبارك كأهم شخصية داعمة للتوازن بين الجنسين في الدولة … رحلة الشيخة فاطمة في تمكين المرأة الإماراتية تمثل نموذجاً استثنائياً في هذا المجال على المستوى الإقليمي والعالمي . pic.twitter.com/Np2uEwU2zq

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) July 7, 2022