More UAE nationals involved in real estate

August 14, 2008 by OPPE News

Recruitment firms are seeing a greater interest in the real estate sector from native UAE workers thanks to the success of a government initiative.

Heavy reliance on foreigners within the sector is decreasing due to the ‘Emiratisation’ programme developed by officials to get more locals into high-end private positions.

Macdonald and Company, the recruitment business, says it is seeing greater involvement from ‘Emirati’, or newly-qualified UAE nationals.

The firm is currently developing a survey of salaries in the Middle East real estate industry, conducted alongside RICS and CMIS.

Macdonald and Company international director William Buck said:

“Since the launch of the Emiratisation initiative, local Emirati professionals are now more concerned with career development offered within the private sectors.

“We have observed that a greater number of locals are looking to gain relevant qualifications, which is an indication of the country’s development towards becoming a more mature and capable resource.”

Mr Buck cited the example of Wafa Ali Al Hammadi, the first national in the country’s history to be certified by RICS in April this year.

In the Middle East Macdonald and Company works with firms such as John Buck International, Gulf Finance House, IFA Hotels and Resorts, Davis Langdon, Asteco, Qatari Diar and Idama.