Khor Fakkan, June 4, 2004 (WAM) – President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with the Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai and then toured parts of Sharjah as part of his fraternal visits and consultations with the rulers of the Emirates.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed toured a number of vital development projects and tourist attractions in Khor Fakkan and Al Dhaid cities in the Sharjah emirate while stopping for pictures with the members of the public.
The tour included Al Dhaid Fort, which dates back to 1820, witnesses the ancient history of the Al Dhaid city. It also included a number of vital development projects in Khor Fakkan city, such as Al Rafisah Dam, which is one of the newest tourist destinations and environmental landmarks in the country.
He also toured the new Khor Fakkan Road, which is deemed an important vital artery linking the regions of Sharjah and passing through various historical and natural areas.
UAE President was accompanied by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Advisor for Special Affairs at the Ministry of Presidential Affairs.
Earlier in the day, he started his trip with meeting the Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai at the Zabeel Palace. They exchanged cordial talk and wished continued welfare, development and progress for the nation, while reviewing a number of issues related to enhancing the comprehensive development drive that the country is witnessing.
Affirming that the UAE is forging ahead with confident steps towards delivering the future for its people and generations to come, the rulers affirmed that the UAE citizens are the mainstay of the national development drive, noting that ensuring their quality of life, social welfare and economic well-being, fulfilling their ambitions, investing in their capabilities and unleashing their potential across various sectors will remain on top of the UAE national priorities.
In this respect, they noted that late Sheikh Zayed and late Sheikh Rashid had dedicated their lives to serving their homeland and fulfilling the ambitions of their people, affirming that nation-building and ensuring a decent life for the UAE people were at the heart of the Founding Fathers’ concerns out of their solid belief in the vital role played by the UAE citizens in ensuring sustainable development and preserving national gains.
Set against the backdrop of Khorfakkan’s mountains and coastline, His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Thursday inaugurated the new Khorfakkan Resort, a Dh700 million waterfront development designed to elevate tourism and lifestyle living on Sharjah’s east coast.
Stretching along Khorfakkan beach, the resort brings together 573 residential units, from one-bedroom apartments to spacious four-bedroom homes, many overlooking sweeping views of the sea, mountains, beach and city skyline.
Developed by Asas Real Estate, the project spans 330,000 square feet, with a built-up area reaching 1.4 million square feet, adding another landmark destination to the emirate’s growing hospitality and tourism portfolio.
What the resort features:
16 retail outlets
A private beach
Outdoor swimming pools
Elevated green spaces covering 100,000 square feet
Gym and sports facilities
Integrated hotel-style services
The luxury property is located close to Khorfakkan Amphitheatre and the city’s waterfall attraction, adding to its appeal for residents and visitors.
Officials said the project is expected to support Khorfakkan’s growing tourism sector while creating new investment opportunities through freehold ownership options.
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has confirmed that June 30, 2026, is the final deadline for private sector companies with 50 or more employees to meet Emiratisation targets for the first half of the year.
Under current rules, companies must achieve a 1% increase in Emiratisation for skilled jobs by the end of June, with another 1% increase required in the second half of 2026.
Starting July 1, firms that fail to meet the required targets will face financial penalties.
The ministry urged companies not to wait until the last minute and encouraged employers to use the Nafis platform to connect with Emirati jobseekers across multiple sectors and specialisations.
Officials said more than 50 days remain before the deadline, giving companies time to speed up hiring plans and improve compliance.
Fake Emiratisation practices
The ministry also warned against fake Emiratisation practices, saying advanced monitoring systems powered by artificial intelligence are being used to detect violations and attempts to manipulate targets.
Companies found violating Emiratisation regulations could face penalties, downgrading of their classification status and legal action.
Compliant companies may benefit from incentives under the Nafis programme, including discounts on ministry service fees and priority within government procurement systems.
The UAE has launched Make it in the Emirates 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen local manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience and expand the country’s advanced industrial sector.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said the platform reflects the UAE’s vision for a “more resilient and sustainable national industrial model”, with continued investment in industry, artificial intelligence and technology.
In a message shared on X, Sheikh Mohamed said the UAE will continue to build strategic partnerships and strengthen local capabilities to boost global competitiveness.
The initiative comes as the UAE pushes to reduce dependence on global supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Officials said more than 150 strategic commodities have already been studied, with alternative sourcing plans identified to maintain supply during global disruptions.
A key goal of Make it in the Emirates 2026 is to encourage more local production inside the UAE while attracting industrial investment and advanced manufacturing technologies.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also attended the event in Abu Dhabi, highlighting the growing role of UAE-made products and Emirati talent in shaping the country’s industrial future.
The event has brought together around 1,200 exhibitors across 12 key sectors, including aerospace, defence, energy, pharmaceuticals, mobility and sustainable materials.
