H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, attended the opening of the 5th GCC HR and Labour Market Executive Conference on Sunday, held under the theme, 'Gulf human capital, a promising wealth'.

The two-day conference organised by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SCCI, at the Expo Centre Sharjah was addressed by Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, Vice President of the Federation of the UAE Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Chairman of SCCI.

The opening session was attended by Saqr bin Ghobash Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, Khaled bin Butti, Director-General of SCCI, Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Executive Director of Expo Centre Sharjah, Mariam Saif Al Shamsi, Assistant Director-General for Logistics at Sharjah Chamber, and directors and employees of a large number of public and private sector organisations in the UAE and other GCC countries.

The Crown Prince was presented with a shield by the Sharjah Chamber in recognition of his patronage of the conference.

Sheikh Sultan opened the exhibition accompanying the conference and took a tour while being briefed on the services provided by Sharjah Chamber and its affiliates at the event. He also visited the pavilion of the Sharjah Forum for Development, which is hosting 30 young people from the Sharjah Leadership Programme.

During the event, Abdullah Al Owais delivered a presentation on the importance of human resources as the basis for the sustainable development of any society. He explained that GCC countries have given priority to Gulf citizens while building the foundation for improving human lives based on a shared vision and the wise guidance and support of the leaders of these countries.

"Global and regional economic upheavals that have resulted in persistent low oil prices have affected the revenues of hydrocarbon producers and their rate of economic growth. This has had a knock-on effect on investment in projects that provide new employment opportunities," Al Owais said.

Al Owais announced the establishment of an award to recognise and honour Gulf enterprises employing the highest number GCC citizens under the name "Sharjah Gulf Localisation Award". The first edition of the award, under the patronage of the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award in cooperation with the Federation of Chambers of the GCC, will be presented in 2018.

The conference's guest of honour, Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Bahrain’s Minister of Labour and Social Development and current Chairman of the GCC Labour Ministers, affirmed the efforts of GCC governments to achieve their vision and development plans to provide citizens with a higher quality of life, and the goals of social welfare and security.

He emphasised the importance of reforming the education and training sector, which has a direct impact on the development of human resources in line with global best practice.

Humaidan reviewed the Kingdom of Bahrain's experience in supporting its human resources and ensuring continued development. He said the strategic plans of the Bahraini Government depended on an effective partnership with the private sector, which is the main generator of employment opportunities for citizens.

The conference was attended by Abdul Rahman Al Otaishan, Chairman of the Federation of Chambers of the GCC, and Khalifa bin Said Al Abri, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Development Affairs at the General Secretariat of the GCC, and Fayez Ali Al Mutairi, Director General of the Arab Labour Organisation.