The Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (ETCC) has officially announced the launch of the second edition of the “Nafis Award” for the year 2023-2024, with the theme “Compete and Excel.” This prestigious award welcomes nominations from both individuals and organizations within the private and banking sectors.
The nomination period for the award will be open until January 1, 2024. The winners will be unveiled during the award ceremony set to take place in March 2024.
The “Nafis Award” was established under the patronage and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council. Its primary aim is to encourage and empower the Emirati workforce, enabling them to excel within the private and banking sectors, thereby becoming instrumental drivers of the UAE’s economic development.
The second edition of the award extends its scope to honor accomplished Emiratis working within and outside the country, encompassing the private, banking, insurance, and financial sectors, as well as public welfare institutions and private educational institutions. Additionally, it includes establishments registered with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank of the UAE.
This expanded scope encourages all private, banking, financial, and insurance establishments to actively participate in the Emiratisation initiative.
The ETCC has collaborated with the Sheikh Khalifa Government Excellence Programme to oversee the “Nafis Award” in the individuals category, while the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and the Central Bank manage the establishments category.
Dr. Abdulrahman Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, emphasized the significance of the “Nafis Award” in advancing the Emiratisation initiative. He stated that it aligns with the leadership’s vision to enhance the participation of Emirati talent in the private sector. The developments in the second edition of the award underscore this commitment and the continuous support provided by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed.
Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), emphasized the importance of the “Nafis Award” in bolstering the Emiratisation initiative and achieving its goals. He acknowledged the pivotal role played by the private, banking, financial, and insurance sectors in advancing this national mandate. He highlighted the success of the “Ethraa” Programme launched in 2023, which aims to employ and train 9,375 young Emiratis by 2026-2027, contributing to increased Emiratisation rates in these sectors.
Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General of the ETCC and Chairman of the Award’s Organizing Committee, explained that the “Nafis Award” is an extension of the Nafis Programme, launched as part of the “Projects of the 50” in 2021, with the goal of achieving the UAE’s Vision 2071. The award acknowledges outstanding establishments and UAE nationals working in the private and banking sectors, promoting their contributions to the country’s economic development.
The “Nafis Award” consists of two primary categories: Establishments and Individuals. The award underscores its commitment to aligning with national agendas and enhancing the private sector’s role in the UAE’s economic development over the next fifty years, with a particular focus on Emiratisation targets.
