From left to right: Mr P R Thakore (IFFCO), Mr Prashant Pillai (FAB), Mr Dino Civitarese (Etisalat) and Dr Brian Shegar (UAESBC) receiving a gift from delegates of the NAFIS Leadership Programme.
24 January 2024: In a partnership between NUS Business School and the UAE Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the NUS hosted a delegation from the NAFIS Leadership Programme, a federal initiative created to increase the competitiveness of Emirati human resources and empower them to occupy jobs in the private sector. Launched as part of 'Projects of the 50', the programme aims to accelerate the UAE’s development journey and boost the economy. It comprises 26 emerging leaders from UAE private sectors with the skills, mindset and exposure needed to become future-ready leaders.
NUS Business School kindly invited EXCO members of the UAESBC, First Abu Dhabi Bank, Etisalat (e&) and IFFCO, as panelists for their seminar, 'Growing Emirati Business in Asia', with UAESBC President Dr Brian Shegar moderating the panel.
Panelists Mr Dino Civitarese, Vice President of Etisalat Asia Pacific, Mr Prashant Pillai, Managing Director and Head of Global Transaction Banking Asia of First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Mr P R Thakore, CEO of IFFCO, were posed questions on the nature of business in Singapore, challenges faced, their experience as leaders and tips they would give the mid-senior level executive delegates in their future career paths as leaders in the private sector.
One of the delegates asked about G2G initiatives between Singapore and the UAE, where Dr Shegar shared the efforts of the Abu Dhabi Singapore Business Forum, and the strong relationship between the UAE and Singapore Ministries of Foreign Affairs. He emphasised the importance of the UAE Embassy in Singapore in promoting investment into the UAE, and the strong ties the UAESBC holds with the Embassy in building interest in the country for Singaporean companies.
The panel was concluded by NAFIS representatives presenting Dr Brian and the panelists with tokens of appreciation: "My Vision: Challenges in the Race for Excellence" written by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.
The UAESBC would like to thank NUS Business School for inviting our EXCO members to meet future leaders of the Emirates and share their insight.
Centre three, left to right: Mr Jai Arya, NUS Business School Senior Advisor, H.E. Jamal Alsuwaidi, UAE Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Ghannam Al Mazrouei, Secretary-General Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council - with NAFIS delegates and NUS Business School and Executive Education staff.