DAMASCUS // Ali Abbas, 26, a graduate of Damascus University, stands proudly in his smart blue concierge's uniform at the front desk of the Four Seasons hotel.
"I like my job because solving people's problems is important and no two days are the same," he said, in fluent English.
"The people I work with are interesting and educated. I am given training and have the opportunity to go to work in other hotels around the world."
Kinan Halal, 27, a human resources supervisor at MTN mobile phone company, worked in the public water and sewage company for six months prior to joining MTN.
"The private sector gives me the chance to develop my career," he said. "I like learning and MTN is partly sponsoring me to do a Masters in human resource management through distance learning. The wages are also good."
Mr Abbas and Mr Halal are just two of a growing number of young Syrians looking to the private sector for jobs in a country historically dominated by the public sector.
As Syria makes the transition from a centrally planned to a social market economy, new companies, including multinationals and international chains, are opening, offering young Syrians professional jobs with high wages and good career prospects.
"Five years ago no one was interested in the private sector but things are changing drastically," said Rana Shanawani, the head of Bidaya, a non-profit that supports young entrepreneurs, and a former employee of the government's agency for combating unemployment.
"The main reason is there is more of a private sector. Huge corporations such as Syriatel now exist, and even small mom-and-pop shops are becoming competitive."
There are no directly comparable statistics for youth employment in Syria, but a Gallup poll published in June suggested that a growing number of 15- to 29-year-olds have the private sector in their sights.
When asked in which sector they wanted to work, assuming pay and conditions were the same, 45 per cent of respondents opted for non governmental jobs.
It is a minority view, but a big increase on the last survey of attitudes completed six years ago by Syria's Central Bureau of Statistics. In that survey unemployed young people were asked which sector they were seeking jobs in. An overwhelming 80 per cent said the public sector, with 60 per cent saying they would not even consider a job elsewhere.
The increased popularity of the private sector ? such as journalism, retail, tourism and hospitality ? stems not just from the positive aspects of the new companies, but also from a realisation of the negative aspects of the public sector.
Mr Halal said that while public sector jobs did appeal to some of his contemporaries for their apparent ease and security, ambitious young people realised there were drawbacks.
"The majority of the public sector is bureaucratic and disorganised," he said. "In the private sector, businesses study information and apply it. In the public sector, they have information, but they don't apply it. The public sector is not in touch with the people and there is a lack of managerial skills." Despite the growing enthusiasm towards the private sector, there are obstacles to getting a job there. The number of professional businesses remains low, with the majority being family run that hold less appeal - with low wages, long hours and limited opportunities compared to government jobs.
Additionally, the majority of the bigger private companies require their employees to be fluent in English and have good IT and communication skills - skills students are not regularly equipped with by the Syrian education system.
"The majority of young Syrians still express a preference for public sector jobs," said Dr Nader Kabbani, director of research at the Syria Trust for Development. "The number of MTNs and Four Seasons are few and far between and require skills most young people do not have."
Dr Kabbani attributes continued public sector aspirations to the wages. Analysis carried out by the Trust showed the average hourly wage in the public sector was higher than the private sector, although the annual salary often works out lower.
Young Syrians say further advantages are the job security and benefits such as pensions and social security, as well as shorter hours. Women showed a particular preference in the CBS survey for public sector work.
Rasha al Haddad, 24, an Arabic tutor in her family business in Damascus said she understands why. With a degree in economics, banking and insurance, she is looking for a job in a bank.
"As a woman it is easier to combine a public sector job with having a family," she said. "A private bank would offer me better wages but they can sack you easily and there are also long hours, from 9am to 6pm."
Whatever the popularity of the public sector, the private sector is set to play a bigger role in Syria. With the country experiencing a demographic youth bulge similar to its regional neighbours - 37 per cent of the population is 14 or under, according to government statistics - and youth unemployment that stands around 19 per cent, authorities are looking to the private sector to generate jobs.
At the same time, the public sector will have to shrink. Falling oil revenues - Syria is expected to become an oil-importing country by 2011 - mean the government cannot continue to pay the high wage bill of its large public sector.
The large number of people working in the public sector stems from a social contract in the 1970s, when Syria and other Arab countries promised jobs to graduates in order to raise the educational standard of their populations. The social contract started to dissolve in the 1990s, but the public sector has not yet reduced in size - it continues to hover around 27 per cent, much higher than the global average of 11 per cent.
"Policies to shrink the public sector haven't yet been implemented," said Dr Kabbani. "Wages have continued to rise and the job security is still in place. At some point the government will have to do more to reduce its size."
At the same time young Syrians are being better prepared for private sector work. The opening of the economy has led to new private universities and schools which better equip students with skills and frequently teach all their courses in English.
The Syrian government and non governmental organisations, such as Bidaya, have launched initiatives to bolster skills and promote entrepreneurship, including regional employment offices and new careers centres at Damascus University and in the city and financial support programmes.
The changes are filtering down to the next generation.
Mohammed al Ghafri, an English student at Deir Ezzor University, said he wants to be a teacher "but only in the private sector" which he said had a better reputation. Most of his friends, he said, also feel the private sector would provide them with better opportunities.
Likewise, a small 2007 survey by Shabab, a non-profit that offers training for Syrian youth in various businesses skills, found a greater number of 15 to 18 year-olds wanted a job in the private sector or to start their own businesses than work in the public sector.
Those numbers increased among a sample of students who participated in workshops and talks organised by the organisation. Progress in expanding the private sector and raising awareness and skills is a slow, ongoing process.
"It will take another generation for the population to have skills that are internationally competitive and for young people to realise the advantages of the private sector," said Ms Shanawani. "But it is happening."
* The National
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is the Supreme Petroleum Council?
The Abu Dhabi Supreme Petroleum Council was established in 1988 and is the highest governing body in Abu Dhabi’s oil and gas industry. The council formulates, oversees and executes the emirate’s petroleum-related policies. It also approves the allocation of capital spending across state-owned Adnoc’s upstream, downstream and midstream operations and functions as the company’s board of directors. The SPC’s mandate is also required for auctioning oil and gas concessions in Abu Dhabi and for awarding blocks to international oil companies. The council is chaired by Sheikh Khalifa, the President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi while Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, is the vice chairman.
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Sunday's games
Liverpool v West Ham United, 4.30pm (UAE)
Southampton v Burnley, 4.30pm
Arsenal v Manchester City, 7pm
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Manchester United v Club America
When: Thursday, 9pm Arizona time (Friday UAE, 8am)
The Prison Letters of Nelson Mandela
Edited by Sahm Venter
Published by Liveright
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
12%20restaurants%20opening%20at%20the%20hotel%20this%20month
%3Cp%3EAriana%E2%80%99s%20Persian%20Kitchen%3Cbr%3EDinner%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EEstiatorio%20Milos%3Cbr%3EHouse%20of%20Desserts%3Cbr%3EJaleo%20by%20Jose%20Andres%3Cbr%3ELa%20Mar%3Cbr%3ELing%20Ling%3Cbr%3ELittle%20Venice%20Cake%20Company%3Cbr%3EMalibu%2090265%3Cbr%3ENobu%20by%20the%20Beach%3Cbr%3EResonance%20by%20Heston%20Blumenthal%3Cbr%3EThe%20Royal%20Tearoom%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
THE BIO
Age: 30
Favourite book: The Power of Habit
Favourite quote: "The world is full of good people, if you cannot find one, be one"
Favourite exercise: The snatch
Favourite colour: Blue
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
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
Company%20profile
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
