Mobile, AL (Sept. 20, 2011) -- There are twice as many jobs as there are nationals of working age in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), according to a new report by Going Global, the leading provider of employment, career and culture resources. Expats looking for employment should take a hard look at U.A.E., which has been upgraded to emerging market status and is experiencing growth in oil and gas production, water and power, architecture, engineering, and construction. Nearly 60 percent of businesses in the UAE are looking to hire at managerial and professional levels and 68 percent of companies also expect to hire staff for various middle and senior-level positions in the near future.

”With almost no corporate taxes, no income taxes and a relatively low import duty of five percent, the region is a favorite of multinational companies, expats and would-be expats,” says Mary Anne Thompson, founder, Going Global. “Only about 7 percent of the U.A.E.’s private sector workforce is Emirati. Expatriates working in the private sector numbered 3.8 million last year.“

The biggest development facing the U.A.E. labor market is the challenge of hiring employees from India, the Gulf’s largest source of expatriate workers. Because of India’s rapid economic growth, increasing multinational presence, expanding employment opportunities, and double?digit pay increases, persuading Indian professionals -- especially top performers -- to move to the Gulf has become extremely difficult. Efforts to tap into China’s large talent pool have been largely unsuccessful because many Chinese lack English language skills.

Despite the continuing volatility in the region, the UAE, with almost no corporate taxes, no income taxes and a relatively low import duty of five percent, remains a favorite of multinational companies, expats and would-be expats. As its economic recovery from the global recession gains strength and its stability remains intact, business confidence in the UAE is slowly improving, which should help accelerate economic activity and with it, employment.

“While the UAE has been buffeted and stock markets battered by the outbreak of unrest in the region, there have been no disturbances in the Emirates,” says Ms. Thompson. “The UAE is viewed as somewhat of a safe haven during these uncertain times and many expatriates from troubled countries across North Africa and South Asia view the UAE as a sanctuary.”

While there are certainly challenges facing the UAE, its economic recovery is steady. This recovery reaches all of its major cities and far corners, and that impact is felt throughout the Gulf Cooperative Council. Hiring is increasing, and in many sectors that trend will continue for the foreseeable future. With an increased effort to educate its nationals, the country may have more employment security moving forward, as relying on expats is becoming increasingly challenging. A shift in who makes up the UAE workforce may be coming. But for now, the country’s small local population and the lack of qualified citizens make the UAE dependent on foreign workers.

To read the full report, Going Global Employment Outlook: United Arab Emirates, visit www.goinglobal.com.

About Going Global

Going Global founder Mary Anne Thompson is an internationally recognized expert on global careers. A former White House attorney, she launched Going Global while living as an expat in Stockholm, Sweden. Today, Going Global is the leader in providing country-specific career content targeted to professionals seeking to begin or change careers both at home and abroad. With career guides for more than 80 locations, the company’s proprietary content supports the job aspirations of more than one million individuals, and includes corporate profiles and millions of job opportunities. Ms. Thompson’s first book, The Global Resume & CV Guide (John Wiley, Publisher), was the first publication on the market with worldwide job-hunting advice.  

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