The Sharjah Economic Development Department (SEDD) has announced that the Emiratisation rate at the department reached 94.5 per cent in 2017.

The department has endeavoured to increase Emiratisation, attract national talents, and apply the leadership's directives to provide an ideal environment that supports citizens as well as contributing to forming young leaders capable of planning for the future, reported Emirates news agency Wam, citing a press statement.

As part of its efforts to improve the level of services and meet the demand of customers, SEDD worked to attract new national employees.

Sultan Abdullah bin Hadda Al Suwaidi, SEDD Chairman, said that the department pays great attention to Emiratisation as part of its strategic plan, in accordance with the directives of Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, and the follow-up of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and chairman of the Executive Council.

He added that SEDD employees are provided with many training courses, adding to their knowledge, and qualifying them to enable them to perform their duties at the highest levels.

Abdullah Al Mahmoud, director of Support Services Department at SEDD, said it now had 477 employees, of whom 95 per cent were UAE citizens and 38 per cent were women. All senior management positions are held by Emiratis, 35 per cent being women.

Al Mahmoud said that it is important to provide an attractive working environment and that this plays a key role in the success of any organisation.

He said that SEDD had received around 159 students and trainees since the beginning of the year.