Social media platforms help map global economy

To be competitive in the UAE job market, candidates require mainly technical skills. However, most university graduates hold business-related degrees according to Ali Matar, Head of LinkedIn in the Middle East and North Africa region. He was speaking at a session titled ‘The Power of Your Voice’ at the 18th Arab Media Forum held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Matar said that a recent survey revealed the discrepancy between what’s needed and what’s offered. This has led authorities in the country to highlight the issue and seek solutions for it.

As a social media platform, Matar said, LinkedIn aims to map the global world economically, as it has more than 610 million members, with 31 million members in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Matar also said that the presence of various social media platforms offers people many voices to speak in rather than one voice. He also said that people use LinkedIn to stay informed and connected and advance their career.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the theme of this year’s Forum is ‘Arab Media: From Now to the Future’. The region’s leading annual event for the media industry has brought together more than 3,000 prominent regional and international media leaders, scholars, writers and experts, to share their views on the current state of the Arab media and the shifts that are shaping the future of the industry.