The services sector will play a central role in the creation of jobs and economic growth in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it has been claimed.

According to news agency WAM, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE minister of economy, stated that the industry has expanded in recent years, enhancing the jurisdiction's position as a global hub.

He also pointed to progress in making the UAE a focal point for world trade in areas such as telecoms, ports, aviation, transport, real estate development, infrastructure project management and construction.

Furthermore, he noted the region is becoming more attractive to international investment as a safe climate and placed 25th in the annual Global Competitiveness Report.

A recent poll by Naukrigulf found that the number of companies in the GCC region planning to recruit new personnel during the coming months had risen year-on-year from 50 per cent to 76 per cent, with many new roles forecast in the IT and engineering sectors.

Posted by Lee Thrace