Four Emiratis appointed to top jobs at Abu Dhabi Ship Building

The announcement comes as the UAE steps up efforts to get more Emiratis, who predominantly work in the public sector, into the higher echelons of the corporate world.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building specialises in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels. Above, one of the Baynunah warships the ship builder has made. Christopher Pike / The National
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Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) says it has appointed four Emiratis to top positions at the company.

The announcement yesterday from the Abu Dhabi-listed specialist in the construction, repair and refit of naval, military and commercial vessels, comes as the UAE steps up efforts to get more Emiratis, who predominantly work in the public sector, into the higher echelons of the corporate world.

“With an increasingly evolving job market, it is critical to ensure that Emiratis are equipped to lead and drive the industry and our nation forward,” said Khaled Al Mazrouei, the firm’s chief executive.

“Since the launch of ADSB in 1996, we have placed great emphasis on cultivating national capabilities and our latest appointments only strengthen our commitment to diversifying local talent.”

The new appointments include: Hussein Al Baloushi, who is now the manager of the Baynunah Corvettes Development Programme, which provides vessels to the UAE Navy; Najeeb Al Shekeily, the new manager of Naval Support Services; Abdul Al Harethi, the new manager of the Arialah Project; and Saeed Al Ataishy, the new programme manager for Kuwait LandingCraft.

Mr Al Mazrouei said in February that Abu Dhabi Ship Building would join hands with Thales Group of France to provide maintenance services to naval forces across the region as it diversifies away from vessel construction.

ADSB, in which Mubadala – the emirate’s investment vehicle –holds a 40 per cent stake, expects its services arm to generate more revenue. For the first nine months of the year last year, the company swung to a loss of Dh53.5 million from a profit of Dh38.9m for the same period in 2013, following delays in securing new contracts.

In the first quarter of last year, the company won a support services contract with the UAE Navy, with hopes to expand its operating scope.

It also aims to extend its maintenance services to ships built by other companies in the military and commercial sectors.

mkassem@thenational.ae

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