THE HOT STORY

GCC Businesswomen Forum urges increased female participation

The seventh Gulf Businesswomen's Forum, organised by the Federation of GCC Chambers (FGCCC), concluded yesterday with a focus on "Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Investment." The forum's final statement urged increased participation of Gulf women in sectors including technology and renewable energy. It recommended activating the "Gulf Businesswomen's Platform" for investment opportunities and supporting SMEs led by women. Noura al-Salem, Assistant Secretary-General of the FGCCC, emphasised the Federation's commitment to implementing the forum's recommendations to enhance women's entrepreneurship. The forum also featured sessions on sustainable investment and the role of education in empowering women.

Gulf Times

WORKFORCE

ATD Saudi Arabia 2025 starts next week

The ATD Saudi Arabia Conference and Exhibition 2025 will take place on November 17–18, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention. This year's theme, "Future-Ready Workforce: Empowering Saudi Talent for Vision 2030," focuses on innovative strategies for workforce development. Mohammed Abdelhay, managing director of FranklinCovey Middle East, emphasised the conference's role in aligning leadership with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. Curtis Bateman will deliver the keynote, discussing how leaders can turn uncertainty into opportunity. The event will also feature exclusive ATD Certificate Programs and an AI in Talent Development Workshop.

Zawya EN

Substantive growth in employment of Omanis

Oman's labour market improved significantly in 2024, with employment among Omani nationals rising by 10.6%, according to the Central Bank of Oman's Annual Report 2024. The growth stemmed from government reforms, vocational training, and alignment of wages with productivity. Expatriate employment fell by 1%, reflecting localisation efforts. In the public sector, Omani employees made up 90.2% of the workforce, while private sector employment for Omanis rose by 16.7%. The report noted that infrastructure projects and economic stability contributed to these positive trends, supporting Oman Vision 2040 goals.

Oman Observer

Kerala expat wins UAE's top skilled worker award

Anas Kadiyarakam, a Kerala expat and Human Resources Manager at LLH Hospital, has won the Outstanding Workforce Award at the Emirates Labour Market Awards. This recognition, presented by Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, marks a significant milestone in Anas's 16-year career in the UAE. He expressed gratitude for the support he received, saying: "It felt like the country was telling me we have seen your growth." Anas's contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic were particularly noted. His family celebrated his achievement, which he views as a motivation to foster supportive workplaces.

Gulfnews.com

ECONOMY

Dubai launches strategic plan for its sports sector

The Dubai Sports Council (DSC) has launched the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033, aiming to position Dubai as the world's leading sporting city. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chair of the DSC, highlighted the plan's focus on enhancing competitiveness and nurturing talent. The initiative includes 19 programmes and 75 initiatives across four pillars: Community, Events, Clubs, and Talent. By 2033, the plan aims to boost the sports sector's contribution to Dubai's GDP from AED10.17bn to AED18.3bn and increase active sports participation from 1.6m to 2.6m residents. Sheikh Mansoor said: "Sport is a fundamental pillar of Dubai’s vision for a vibrant and cohesive society."

Trade Arabia

GE, Siemens may power Syria rebuild

GE Vernova and Siemens Energy are in early talks to supply gas turbines for a $7bn project rebuilding Syria’s war-damaged power sector. The plan includes 4,000 MW of combined-cycle gas plants and a 1,000 MW solar component. Siemens confirmed exploratory talks, saying it’s ready to support energy stability if agreements are reached. If finalised, these deals would mark among the first Western corporate entries into Syria since most US sanctions were lifted earlier this year. The project follows Syria’s political realignment and aims to restore infrastructure after a 14-year civil war.

Reuters

LEGAL

Dubai International Arbitration Centre launches new arbitration platform

Dubai International Arbitration Centre (DIAC) has introduced its new arbitration platform, DANA by DIAC powered by Opus 2, a leading disputes software company. The platform connects parties, legal practitioners, neutrals, and the DIAC Case Management Team in a single, collaborative environment. Key features include centralised e-filing, case registration, and document submission with additional case management capabilities and workflows to optimise the day-to-day administration of cases.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

Activists slam proposed changes to landmark EU privacy law

Activists have criticised proposed changes to Europe's landmark privacy law. EU antitrust chief Henna Virkkunen will present the Digital Omnibus, in effect a package of proposals to simplify overlapping legislation including the General Data Protection Regulation, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the e-Privacy Directive and the Data Act, on November 19. Austrian privacy group noyb commented: "The draft Digital Omnibus proposes countless changes to many different articles of the GDPR. In combination this amounts to a death by a thousand cuts." Max Schrems of noyb said: "This would be a massive downgrading of Europeans' privacy 10 years after the GDPR was adopted."

Reuters

Trump defends need for H-1B visas

President Donald Trump has defended the H1-B skilled worker visa program in an interview with Fox News in which he said the United States doesn’t have workers with “certain talents” to fill jobs needed domestically. The channel's Laura Ingraham asked Trump whether his administration would reduce H1-B visas amid concerns it would depress wages for American workers. Trump said: “I agree - but you also do have to bring in talent.” When Ingraham responded: “We have plenty of talented people here,” Trump replied, “No, you don’t, no you don’t . . . you don’t have certain talents, and people have to learn. You can’t take people off an unemployment line and say, ‘I’m going to put you into a factory where we’re going to make missiles.’” In September, the White House imposed a $100,000 one-time fee on H1-B visas, in a move that marked a win for immigration hard-liners on Capitol Hill, NBC News notes

South Korea invests in its AI talent pipeline

South Korea is investing 1.4tn won (S$1.25bn) to develop the country's artificial intelligence talent from elementary to postgraduate levels. The Education Ministry's AI Talent Development Plan For All aims to strengthen AI capabilities throughout a person's life. The initiative includes a "fast track" programme for students to complete degrees in 5½ years and expand AI-focused high schools. Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said: "AI talent development is a matter of national survival that we must all work on together."

Straits Times

CBRE probes sexual misconduct claims

CBRE, one of the world’s biggest property sales, leasing and advisory firms, has revealed that it is investigating claims that a senior employee sexually harassed a colleague this year and that managers at the commercial real estate giant were in inappropriate workplace relationships.

Australian Financial Review

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