Business & Money | Saturday 27 January, 2018 8:50 am |

The Department of Economic Development (DED) in Abu Dhabi signed a joint cooperation agreement with Zayed Higher Organization for Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian care and Special Needs. The agreement aims to support people of determination across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by empowering and integrating them in the business community in Abu Dhabi and the UAE. This is done by implementing a number of joint projects, programs and initiatives, most importantly the issuance of a commercial license for the people of determination in the category “Tajer Abu Dhabi” under the name “People of Determination Entrepreneurs”.

 

The agreement was signed today at the DED’s headquarters by His Excellency Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, the DED’s Undersecretary, and His Excellency Abdallah Abdel Ali Al Hmaidan, Deputy Secretary General of Zayed Higher Organization. The event was attended by a number of officials from both sides.

 

The cooperation agreement between the DED and Zayed Organization comes as part of several societal initiatives for the governmental bodies in celebration of the Year of Zayed 2018 within the framework of the rights stipulated in the Federal Law No. 29/2006 regarding the rights of the people with disability amended by Federal Law No. (14) of 2009 to all the categories listed in the People of Determination Classification Manual for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi 2017.

 

The agreement’s term shall be three years as of the date of signing the same, and shall be automatically renewed upon mutual agreement of both sides. As per the agreement, Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs shall provide the DED with data about the people of determination who wish to register in the “Tajer Abu Dhabi” initiative pursuant to the laws and policies adopted by the DED, as well as support the skills, abilities and experience of the people of determination in order to help them engage and participate in the job market.

 

His Excellency Khalifa Bin Salem Al Mansouri, the DED’s Undersecretary, stated that the DED’s Abu Dhabi Business Center was advised to provide all kinds of facilities and assistance regarding the necessary support that is to be provided to the people of determination in order to facilitate their integration in the business sector community of Abu Dhabi. This shall be accomplished by harnessing the capabilities and abilities they possess to take advantage of them and provide benefit to them and the society. He also pointed out that the DED has exempted the people of determination from the golden service fees that Abu Dhabi Business Center provides to business owners in celebration of the Year of Zayed.

 

Moreover, he emphasized the DED’s keenness to use “Tajer Abu Dhabi” initiative, which was launched last year, as a gateway for the people of determination into the job market. As per the agreement, the procedures shall be simplified and the accurate and complete information about the nature of the commercial activities the people of determination will be performing shall be provided. This will be accomplished by organizing training workshops and raising the awareness of the people of determination and their families. These activities will be held at the Organization’s headquarters to familiarize the participants with these activities and the feasibility of the micro enterprises, especially the service ones.

 

Furthermore, Al Mansouri praised the level of cooperation and coordination between the DED and Zayed Higher Organization, and stressed the DED’s keenness to provide all kinds of support to achieve the shared objectives. Effort will be exerted to ensure the integration of the people of determination in the society by helping them showcase their abilities and employ them properly so that these people become an effective and influential part of the UAE society.

 

On his part, Al Hmaidan welcomed the signing of this agreement with the DED in celebration of the Year of Zayed 2018 which comes as part of the Organization’s quest to develop work mechanisms, sign partnership agreements to serve and care for the people of determination pursuant to the directions of the UAE leadership and in line with its strategic plan. This plan is also part of Abu Dhabi’s Government Plan which aims to provide the people of determination with job opportunities that suit their abilities. Such effort is a direct translation of the government’s principles which focus on reinforcing cooperation and coordination between the local bodies and institutions.

 

Following the signing of the agreement, Al Hmaidan explained that Zayed Higher Organization works hard on integrating, rehabilitating and training the largest number of its members from the people of determination category pursuant to the directions of His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed AL Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors and its members. The Organization aims to turn the people of determination into active members of the society who take part in the development of the country through the employment and environmental preparation unit. He also emphasized that integrating this category in the job market shall enhance their capabilities and increase their self-confidence, making them more productive members of the society.

 

The Deputy Secretary General praised the active and vital role played by the institutions that hire the people of determination and highlighted their contribution to the integration of such people in the society. He also thanked the DED for putting forward this initiative that will help empower and integrate the people of determination in the society.

 

As per the agreement, the DED shall train the employees of Zayed Organization to issue the license electronically via the DED’s website or the ADBC APP in its headquarters, not to mention the support of the social events, activities and conferences that are geared toward the people of determination which will help reinforce the humanitarian, national and social concepts and values that are of great importance for both sides.

 

Moreover, the DED shall appoint an ambassador at its headquarters that represents the people of determination and works on coordinating and supporting them to utilize all capabilities and provide individual consultancy to these people in coordination with Zayed Organization as part of introducing the employers to the roles and tasks of the people of determination’s ambassador>