His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid inaugurates Careers UAE 2009

Despite these unprecedented economic conditions Careers UAE will welcome 120 exhibitors from both the Private and Public sectors, of which 21% are participating for the first time.

The companies attending the three-day event reaffirm the long term investment plans for recruitment, training and education in the region, and the commitment to the governments continued Emiratisation drive.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the event is organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 29-31 March at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

Following the inauguration ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition, meeting corporate and academic entities that are using the exhibition to assess candidates and focus on the new skills needed for the future of their businesses.

Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre said, "As companies resize and reposition their HR strategies businesses must assess their Emiratisation programmes and Careers UAE becomes more relevant than ever. Careers UAE offers the key platform for nationals to obtain information on companies, opportunities within organisations, market trends, and training and education programmes to improve their understanding of the job market."

"At the same time, companies will find Careers UAE useful in discovering Emirati talents in the market, focusing on the right skills needed for the future as they invest in the long term within the UAE," he added

Careers UAE will be collaborating with ershaad.ae, a strategic partnership which is also set to drive Emiratisation by providing a more comprehensive portfolio of services and also increase the support of Emiratisation and recruitment for top employers seeking UAE National talent.

The partnership will address the need to improve the latest technologies, which will enable a paperless CV admission process for this year's Careers UAE.

Held in partnership with leading global HR consultants Watson Wyatt, Careers UAE 2009 will also be conducting a dedicated seminar to address the critical issues, trends and challenges HR professionals face in today's climate. The presentation will look to unlock the answers to many of the questions being asked by employees working in this business sector.

Key seminar sponsor Tanmia (The National Human Resource Development & Employment Authority) will be presenting their new initiative during the seminar, called the Estamer program. The 'Estamer' programme complements the new law issued by the MoL that restricts the unlawful laying off of UAE nationals employed in the private sector.

Leveraging its profile built over the past nine years, the exhibition serves as a crucial platform for UAE Nationals, providing exciting networking possibilities, career leads, updates on a wide portfolio of companies, internship and performance development programmes, as well as industry specific training and education opportunities.

Careers UAE 2009 is organised in conjunction with knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Tanmia, Higher Colleges of Technology, Zayed University and the UAE University and sponsored by Dubai Bank, Commercial Bank of Dubai, and HSBC Bank.

Open exclusively for UAE nationals and HR professionals from 10.00am to 8.00pm daily, Careers UAE 2009 is held in Halls 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event is also hosting Ladies Only sessions on Monday and Tuesday from 10.00am to 1.00pm.