Sharjah’s Executive Council has approved the recruitment of 150 passport control officers at Sharjah International Airport, while also introducing a new licence initiative to help university and higher education students turn business ideas into ventures.
The recruitment plan will be implemented in three phases from October, according to the Sharjah Executive Council (SEC). The move comes as the airport expands amid rising passenger and flight numbers and ongoing development projects.
The initiative is also intended to create employment opportunities for Emirati talent, while supporting skills development and career progression.
The council approved the “Khatwa” (Step) licence initiative for university and higher education students, allowing them to undertake economic activities and develop their ideas into business ventures.
The initiative is designed to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation among students by giving them practical experience in project management. It is also expected to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), increase students’ contribution to Sharjah’s economy and create new employment opportunities.
The decisions were taken during the SEC’s weekly meeting chaired by H.H. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council.
The council also reviewed a report on the comprehensive review of Sharjah’s gross domestic product (GDP), prepared by the Department of Statistics and Community Development.
The review aims to broaden the coverage of Sharjah’s economic activity and provide more accurate estimates of the emirate’s GDP by expanding data sources and strengthening coverage across sectors.
According to the council, the updated GDP estimates will provide economic indicators to support planning and decision-making, while offering a more comprehensive view of Sharjah’s contribution to the UAE’s overall GDP.
The SEC directed relevant government entities to coordinate efforts to complete the review and ensure the results accurately reflect the size and diversity of Sharjah’s economy.
During the meeting, the council also commended the approval of all 6,700 housing support requests submitted by citizens to the Sharjah Department of Housing. The move was described as part of ongoing initiatives aimed at supporting Emirati families and strengthening social stability.