ABU DHABI, 30th March, 2017 (WAM) -- More UAE women are being encouraged to engage in the country's growing defence industry thanks to incentives offered by Tawazun Holding, according to Saif Al Hajeri, Chief Executive Officer of state-owned investment firm Tawazun Holding and Tawazun Economic Council, during a panel discussion at the Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit.

In 2009, the strategic investment firm focused on defence and strategic manufacturing, launched a flexible work schedule for female employees to enable them to benefit the most from their work, while also taking care of their families, Al Hajeri said.

Tawazun also built a nursery at a Abu Dhabi highway site. "We created the passion for work. We could not say no to their requests," the Chief Executive Officer added.

Al Hajeri noted that despite flexible work schedules and other incentives, Tawazun still provides very challenging jobs to all Emirati men and women as part of the organisation's preparations for the post-oil era that requires a highly-qualified workforce.

The company is also working with Strata, Boeing and Airbus to bring in advanced technology to the UAE, as it identified which technologies are needed the most in the country, Al Hajeri concluded.

Copyright Emirates News Agency (WAM) 2017.