The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has included “computer systems and software designing” into the freelancer license category in line with its efforts to enhance the technology sector of the country.
The inclusion of new jobs into the category is part of the UAE government’s initiative to grant 100,000 golden visas to entrepreneurs and startups in the coding sector under the framework of the National Programme for Coders.
Mr. Rashid Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, the undersecretary of the department, stated that
the move helps to attract highly skilled programmers from all over the world to the country. Further, it paves the way for new information technology unicorns with the UAE stamp to contribute to the country’s digital economy transformation.
The freelancer license enables people to pursue self-employment activities without needing a license from the free zone. They have the right to contract and work with companies in Abu Dhabi as well as the free zones.
Recently ADDED issued a decision regarding the issuance of permits under the freelancer license and identified 52 economic activities that belong in the category. UAE citizens, residents and foreigners can apply for this license, but they need to prove their relevant skills and submit certificates testifying to their education and professional experience.
Abu Dhabi government is keen to support the digital transformation in key sectors and support national efforts to establish 1,000 mega-companies in the IT sector in the next five years, Mr.Al Blooshi said.
The government-led ‘Projects of the 50’ initiative aims to attract 100 coders every day to the country’s workforce and achieve the highest percentage of women coders per capita in the world in the next five years.
Recently, the UAE government signed pacts with companies such as Google and Amazon to train 100,000 programmers and coders over the next five years. The country also launched the Fourth Industrial Revolution Network that will grow 500 national companies through the application of advanced technology over five years.
