A candidate for the Federal National Council (FNC) from Sharjah, Mohammad Ahmad Abdullah Al Najjar, has promised a stronger national representation in all facets of the UAE's economic front once he takes up a seat in the council.

Al Najjar said: "Through FNC elections this year, I am trying to strategically work towards goals that will bring UAE nationals various benefits while empowering them with knowledge and employment."

"I am extremely glad that the government has put necessary emphasis on broadening first class training opportunities so that a skilled workforce begin to match labour market needs."

He, however, added that the UAE requires additional strategies in order to ensure that the current socio-economic transition process remains both innovative and stable.

Clarifying some of these strategies, Al Najjar said that graduates should be engaged in public and private sectors through advanced training programme. He stressed the importance of developing continuous programmes to educate entrepreneurs.

Al Najjar said he would enhance the country's cultural organisations and corporate social responsibility practices that would bring more attention to traditional values and a healthier society.

Al Najjar, 38, a senior director at etisalat, holds a master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

Al Najjar has been honoured with several excellence awards in the past six years and has enrolled in two leadership programmes in etisalat. Al Najjar has been with etisalat since 2002.

Al Najjar said his campaign slogan ‘citizens are the cornerstone' illustrates his focus such as boosting nationals' employment, investing in a sustainable and stable economy, and steering government fund support for small and medium enterprises.

‘Course of action'

"My course of action will allow me to strategically work towards goals that will bring nationals various benefits while empowering them with knowledge, employment and enterprise," Al Najjar said.

He said the UAE has been a model for development and has witnessed tremendous achievements since the establishment of the federation.

"The UAE citizen received special attention and care from the government. There is no reason to stop this progress from going further," he said. He said the challenge for the country is to ensure sustainable economic and social development.

Al Najjar believes that these far-reaching objectives are achievable as long as the government is keen to address the challenges that the country confronts and put in place broad development strategies that serve the interests of the nation at the local, regional and international level.