The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the UAE Consulate General in Shanghai and the New Development Bank (NDB), organised an awareness session for Emirati students studying in China as part of the ‘UAE Global Cadres’ initiative.
Held at the New Development Bank’s headquarters in Shanghai, the session aimed to explore recruitment and training mechanisms in multilateral organisations, as well as pathways to build a career in the international financial sector.
Attendees included H.E. Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai; Thuraiya Hamid Alhashmi, Director of International Financial Relations and Organisations Department at the Ministry of Finance and Board Member of the New Development Bank; and Qiangwu Zhou, Vice-President and CAO of the New Development Bank, along with other senior bank officials.
The event reflects the UAE’s commitment to expanding the presence of national talent in the global financial arena and increasing awareness among Emirati students about career opportunities within international financial institutions.
Ali Abdullah Sharafi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for International Financial Relations at the Ministry of Finance, said, “The Ministry is committed to creating an interactive environment that brings together young Emirati talent with influential international organisations to stimulate national talent and enable them to explore career opportunities in the global financial sector.”
“Such meetings offer a direct window into the realities of working in multilateral organisations and give students the opportunity to learn from real-life experiences and discover promising career paths.”
Sharafi added, “We believe that building a strong Emirati cadre on the international stage begins with investing in knowledge and communication, an approach we are committed to advancing through initiatives like these.”
Ambassador Muhannad Sulaiman Al Naqbi emphasised the value of collaboration between UAE government entities and diplomatic missions in supporting youth development:
“The session is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Finance and the UAE’s diplomatic missions with both sharing the same goal: empowering the nation’s youth to succeed on the global stage.”
“The UAE Global Cadres initiative is an extension of the country’s diplomatic approach to building bridges of communication between Emirati students and influential global organisations.”
“We hope this session inspires students to explore new horizons in the international financial sector and, in doing so, strengthen their contributions to both the national and global economies,” Al Naqbi said.
The session began with a welcome speech by Qiangwu Zhou, who acknowledged the growing interest among students in international financial careers and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration.
“We are delighted to host this panel discussion, which highlighted the strong interest and awareness among Emirati students in international business. Investing in young talent has been and will continue to be a top priority for us.”
He added, “Events such as this provide invaluable opportunities to introduce the next generation to fulfilling careers within multilateral organisations, while fostering diversity and expertise in the Bank’s future workforce.”
The session also explored the objectives of the UAE Global Cadres Initiative, which supports Emiratis in pursuing career and training opportunities within leading international financial institutions. This is achieved through introductory programmes, specialised knowledge content, and partnerships with organisations such as the New Development Bank.
Discussions included the Ministry of Finance’s ongoing efforts to provide support for Emiratis seeking to enter multilateral institutions, including assistance with application processes, secondment opportunities, and tailored training programmes.
Representatives from the New Development Bank delivered presentations outlining the Bank’s recruitment mechanisms and development pathways for young professionals. They shared information about application requirements, key specialisations, and the skills most in demand.
Emirati students actively participated in the session, asking questions about career pathways, areas of focus, and working environments at the Bank.
The event is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to build strategic relationships with international financial institutions and create meaningful career opportunities for UAE nationals in alignment with the country’s vision to develop a globally competitive workforce.
