There were many well-documented layoffs and headcount reductions last year by global technology companies.
With many employees affected locally in the Middle East, what will 2024 bring – and can this $5 trillion industry bounce back?
Last year was tough for technology and being a specialist recruiter in this field, I experienced it first-hand.
The first half of 2023 was slower than normal. With many global financial and political challenges, companies were less bullish about expanding than the previous year.
The second half saw more of the same, and it took until the end of the year for confidence to return.
The good news: there are positive changes on the horizon.
Historically, I have always seen an uptake in hiring at the beginning of the year, and the first few weeks of 2024 are no exception.
We already saw signs of recovery towards the end of last year and this has continued.
There seem to be more tech jobs available than this time last year but is the trend here to stay?
I’ve noticed that companies that weren’t expanding a year ago are now much busier with hiring. In other cases, companies that were laying off staff are growing again.
That said, we are not seeing the same level of new roles as during the post-pandemic times.
I would say this is a good thing as it would indicate that companies have learnt their lesson and are being more cautious.
One of the main reasons for so many layoffs last year was excessive hiring in 2021 and 2022.
Stable growth is more sustainable for many reasons. Firstly, it helps to keep salary levels in check.
In a situation where five companies are vying to hire the same candidate, compensation levels are artificially inflated, which is great for the candidate but affects the market in the longer term.
In the UAE, specifically, we are seeing a stable rise in job opportunities as well as salary increases in line with inflation.
We still have substantial growth in commercial and residential construction, leisure and tourism, hospitality, health care, education, and many other sectors.
All of these require large technology investment that feeds the industry, as does the government itself with its many digital transformation and cloud technology projects.
Saudi Arabia, which is a much bigger market, is still growing exponentially with projects in many sectors and it shows no sign of stopping.
The level of investment is substantial and, as with the UAE, the kingdom is also investing in the best technology and hiring top talent from all over the world to help fuel its growth.
All markets will have ups and downs, but if you look at how far the GCC has come over the past 20 years, it’s impressive.
There is a bigger focus on training and hiring local talent with nationalisation initiatives, which is great for a country’s future development.
There is also much more international interest in the region. Anyone watching an elite sporting event anywhere in the world is likely to see sponsorship by a regional company such as Emirates, Etisalat or Aramco.
So, it’s clear that the GCC is firmly on the global map, and is here to stay.
Big sports stars have also been coming to this part of the world to compete in globally followed sports such as boxing, football and the UFC.
I foresee continued steady growth throughout the rest of the year, with the biggest demands for jobs coming from IT infrastructure and supporting software, cloud computing, cyber security and artificial intelligence
John Armstrong,
founder and managing director, JCA Associates
After 17 years of living in the region, I have noticed that the UAE in particular is now far ahead of the West in many areas, including infrastructure and technology.
I see first-hand how technology makes life easier here, which contributes to how popular the Emirates is as a place to live.
In tech, I foresee continued steady growth throughout the rest of the year, with the biggest demands for jobs coming from IT infrastructure and supporting software, cloud computing, cyber security and artificial intelligence.
In many cases, organisations that have been hit the hardest have not adapted to these technologies and have been left behind.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities ahead of the curve and many tech start-ups are being created – some of which could become the next unicorn.
Companies such as Meta Platforms, Google and Amazon all had humble beginnings and in an ever-evolving sector, there will always be room for the next “tech giant”.
John Armstrong is the founder and managing director of JCA Associates
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Scoreline:
Everton 4
Richarlison 13'), Sigurdsson 28', Digne 56', Walcott 64'
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
UAE%20PREMIERSHIP
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PAKISTAN SQUAD
Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (test captain), Babar Azam (T20 captain), Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmad, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Imran Khan, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari, Wahab Riaz, Imad Wasim, Kashif Bhatti, Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah.
The specs: 2019 Jeep Wrangler
Price, base: Dh132,000
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 285hp @ 6,400rpm
Torque: 347Nm @ 4,100rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.6L to 10.3L / 100km
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE v Zimbabwe A
Results
Match 1 – UAE won by 4 wickets
Match 2 – UAE won by 5 wickets
Match 3 – UAE won by 25 runs
Match 4 – UAE won by 77 runs
Fixture
Match 5, Saturday, 9.30am start, ICC Academy, Dubai
Best Foreign Language Film nominees
Capernaum (Lebanon)
Cold War (Poland)
Never Look Away (Germany)
Roma (Mexico)
Shoplifters (Japan)
Your Guide to the Home
- Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
- Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
- Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
MATCH INFO
Norwich 0
Watford 2 (Deulofeu 2', Gray 52')
Red card: Christian Kabasele (WatforD)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
INDIA SQUAD
Rohit Sharma (captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj and Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
