Dubai-based leading BPO organisation Data Direct Group has urged the UAE’s private sector to follow the recent guidelines established by country’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) and hire more local talent to boost Emirati employment rates.
The Ministry earlier this month announced that around 79,000 UAE nationals were working in the private sector. In September 2022, UAE’s authorities set out quotas for hiring Emiratis for the first time and gave private companies deadlines to reach them.
Private sector companies with at least 50 employees needed to ensure 3 per cent of their workforce was made up of Emiratis by July 7. Four days later on July 11, MoHRE announced a new update to the rules, whereby private companies with 20 to 49 employees are now included in the government’s Emiratisation drive with the new rules now applicable to companies across 14 economic sectors including property, education, construction and health care.
“This is the time to infuse the current market with a great new talent pool that is homegrown and localised. Emirati employment rate is projected to increase to 10 per cent in 2026 with a steady growth every year and it is the time for private businesses of the country to step up by reaching targets laid down by the MoHRE,” said Rajiv Dalmia, the chairman and founder of Data Direct Group that today employs close to 1,500 professionals from over 25 nationalities working in four countries.
“We achieved outstanding results in going beyond to fulfill the government’s targets for hiring Emirati talent. A major part of that success is due to the fact that Emiratisation has always been a part of our role to keep local clients happy while enhancing the customer experience.”
Rajiv Dalmia
As part of the company’s commitment to support the nation’s vision and foster local talent, Data Direct been implementing strategic initiatives since the company’s inception in 2002, and much before the UAE government started ‘customer happiness centres’ across the country to serve the local population. An internal audit by DDG after the first half of 2023 has shown staff representation among Emiratis at nearly 5-7 times the minimum required, especially in certain departments.
“We do not see Emiratisation as a minimum quota to achieve just for the sake of representation,” added Dalmia. “The more the merrier, and there is a constant endeavour to seek out local talent first before we look at other options.”
Elaborating on the MoHRE data, recruitment consultancy Qureos has said sectors such as business services (14% growth year on year), construction (13%), and commerce and repair services (10%) are among the new frontrunners in Emirati hiring, coming neck-to-neck with the traditional BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance) sector. Data Direct serves many clients in the services and banking sector.
Qureos data also suggests a massive 75% increase in college enrolment for banking studies. The graduates are due to be incorporated in the near future where the HR departments of companies such as Data Direct stand to benefit. “Employees within our team setup and familiar with the work culture at Data Direct Group provide good referrals to future employees. References are our best sources for talent,” said Nona Sharma, HR head at DDG.
“The accomplishment in surpassing Emiratisation targets is a testament to our commitment to the UAE’s socio-economic growth and vision for a prosperous future. By empowering local talent, we also strengthen our own organisational capabilities.”
DDG has been working with many government entities to enhance the customer experience during interactions. Meanwhile, the rise of Gulf countries’ economies has also seen a surge in hiring local talent. “A collaboration with Talabat in Bahrain, for instance, has happened due to our track record on this and their requirements to keep 100% staff local. In Oman, it is 80% of our strength while the highly cosmopolitan nature of UAE means we have about 35-40 locals who cater to clients, including key government agencies. Having talented local colleagues is not tokenism for us. They are, in fact, the guiding light for us in many cases,” Dalmia added.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is reinforcing stricter rules for car rentals across the emirate, and it’s good news for both residents and tourists.
At the heart of this move is a mandatory unified contract that all rental companies must follow. This contract standardises how rental agreements work, clearly laying out the rights and responsibilities of both renters and rental offices in a transparent way.
“We have also organised a series of awareness workshops for companies operating in the car rental sector across the emirate to familiarise them with the contract’s provisions, obligations, and implementation procedures,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of the Licensing Agency at RTA.
What this means for drivers
Same rules everywhere Whether you rent from a big brand or a small office, the same contract applies across Dubai, no more confusing or inconsistent terms.
Stronger consumer protection The contract ensures:
No hidden fees (like surprise toll charges)
No unfair charges during accident repairs
Mandatory refund of your security deposit within a set timeframe
Digital and secure process Rentals are handled through the Transport Activities Rental System (TARS), with:
Identity verification
OTP-based digital signatures
Secure, automated contracts
Proof of vehicle condition Photos are taken at pickup and return, protecting you from disputes over damage.
Better awareness for renters The system is designed to reduce complaints and help users, especially tourists, fully understand their rights before signing.
This move aligns with Dubai’s push to enhance trust and transparency in services, reinforcing its reputation as a well-regulated, customer-friendly destination.
The UAE has firmly dismissed reports circulating on social media that suggest restrictions on investor funds, calling the claims inaccurate and misleading.
Officials clarified that there are no limits on the movement of capital or on foreign investors’ ability to manage and transfer their money. Authorities stressed that the country remains committed to maintaining an open, business-friendly environment aligned with international standards.
Commitment to investor confidence
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism reiterated that the UAE continues to support the free flow of capital, a key pillar in attracting global investment and ensuring long-term economic stability.
Officials emphasised that policies remain unchanged, reinforcing the country’s reputation as a reliable and transparent destination for businesses and investors.
Dubai reaffirms its position
In a statement shared on X, the Dubai Media Office also rejected the circulating claims, describing them as false. It highlighted that Dubai continues to stand as a leading global hub for business and investment, supported by a strong and resilient economy.
Call for accurate information
Authorities have urged the public and media outlets to rely on official sources when seeking information, warning against the spread of unverified claims online.
The clarification comes as the UAE contåinues to strengthen its position as a global financial and investment centre, built on openness, stability, and investor confidence.
The Central Bank of the UAE has rolled out a new financial support package designed to keep banks strong and ensure they continue supporting and safeguarding the broader economy amid global and regional uncertainty.
The package was endorsed during a high-level board meeting chaired by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, underscoring the UAE leadership’s proactive approach to maintaining economic stability.
Built around five key pillars, the initiative is designed to provide banks with greater liquidity, enhanced flexibility, and temporary regulatory relief, ensuring they can continue to support businesses and individuals during uncertain times.
Under the new measures, banks will gain expanded access to liquidity, including the ability to utilise reserve balances and secure term funding in both dirhams and US dollars. This step is expected to keep credit flowing across key sectors of the economy.
The Central Bank has also introduced temporary easing of liquidity and funding requirements, giving financial institutions more room to continue lending. Capital buffer requirements will be relaxed as well, allowing banks to deploy excess capital to support economic activity.
Additionally, new provisions will offer greater flexibility in managing credit risk, including delaying the classification of certain loans affected by current market conditions—providing relief to borrowers facing temporary challenges.
Authorities emphasised that banks are expected to maintain lending and continue supporting customers as part of the UAE’s broader economic response strategy.
Despite global pressures, the UAE’s financial system has shown strong resilience. During its meeting, the Board confirmed that current market conditions have had no significant impact on the health of the banking sector or the efficiency of payment systems.
The Central Bank also highlighted the country’s robust financial position, with foreign exchange reserves exceeding AED 1 trillion and a strong monetary base. The UAE’s banking sector, valued at over AED 5.4 trillion, continues to demonstrate solid fundamentals.
With liquidity levels remaining high and reserves strong, the CBUAE reaffirmed its readiness to take further action if needed to protect financial stability and sustain economic growth.