6th GCC HR & Labor Market Conference Discuss Challenges And Opportunities Of Job Localization In The Digital Economy Environment

The first dialogue session of 6th GCC HR & Labor Market Conference has involved a host of interesting discussions on digital economy, stressing the need to develop a comprehensive transformation strategy that serves the entire community of the GCC states.

Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations (DGR), and Chairman of the Higher Committee of Digital Transformation of Sharjah, attended the session.

Entitled “Challenges and Opportunities of Gulf Job Localization in the Digital Economy Environment”, the session was also attended by Mansour Al-Shathri, Deputy Chairman of Riyadh Chamber and Chairman of the Human Resources and Labor Market Committee, Dr. Abdulla Bader Al Sada, Deputy CEO of Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Hamad Jarrah Al-Omar Deputy Director General of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

During the dialogue session, Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi noted that the UAE is witnessing an advanced technological breakthrough, where most of the government departments and entities have begun providing their services using smart, specialized and innovative online tools.

Sheikh Fahim said: “The GCC governments need to double their efforts in coordination with relevant bodies to restructure educational systems to make them adaptable to changes and digital-based future jobs. Building a joint GCC digital economy would entail creative ideas, visions and innovations in addition to a unified work system capable of keeping abreast of the latest economic developments”, he added.

Digital Economy

For his part, Mansour Al-Shathri spoke about the knowledge-based digital economy, reaffirming that a successful digital economy necessitates a state-of-the-art telecommunication network given that services are provided online and luckily, the GCC countries enjoy a cutting-edge telecommunication infrastructure.

“However, the digital economy will surely bring about some significant challenges: Will it provide new job opportunities for young people or lead to a decline in opportunities. Will it lead to controlling the market without the need for manpower? The digital economy is not only a challenge for governments, but also for young people,  Al-Shathri underlined.

Training National Cadres

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdulla Al Sada stressed the importance of training young national cadres so as to make them ready for entering the world of digital economy.

“Young people have excellent ability to learn quickly as they are equipped with advanced scientific skills and have academic degrees. To that end, the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has carried out several programs in cooperation with major international university institutions and have delivered training courses in which entrepreneurs receive accredited certificates that qualify them to enter the digital labour market, Al Sada added.

Drawing investments

Moreover, Hamad Al-Omar highlighted that there are considerable Gulf investments in the digital economy, but are still outside the GCC markets, adding that GCC governments have to pave the way for attracting these investments.

For example, a Kuwaiti company called Nabdat was a successful company established with $15,000 capital. Following its success, it was sold to a German company for $150 million. The company was built by 100% Kuwaiti cadres. There are many more example of successful GCC companies acquired by major international companies to take the opportunity and  invest in the region. This is why Gulf governments must work hard to attract and invest in their citizens. Al-Omar said.

Organized by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), the 6th edition of the GCC HR & Labor Market Conference was inaugurated today (Monday)  at the Expo Centre Sharjah and will run till Tuesday, October 15.

On the second day of the conference, an important dialogue session will be held to discuss how to benefit from the graduation projects of academic institutions, in addition to organizing the 2^nd business session to discuss means and areas of supporting the Gulf recruitment in the knowledge-based economy.

The communique titled “Recommendations and Documentation of Experiences” will be announced The closing session by the Federation of GCC Chambers.