Al Dhafra Cooperative Society offers Emiratis Ramadan discount

More than 3,000 Emiratis working in the private sector can get a discount at Al Dhafra Cooperative Society during Ramadan.

The 30 per cent saving is part of the Absher Initiative, which aims to boost the number of nationals working outside the public sector by offering a range of incentives.

"We did not study our profit, we simply made the decision to join as we owe this to any local," said Mohammed Al Hameli, chief executive of Al Dhafra.

With six branches across the Western Region, the society can easily provide discounts, he said.

The Absher initiative was conceived by the President, Sheikh Khalifa, and launched last year. The discount programme, which has been running for seven months, has attracted 3,670 nationals, with about 300 applying for an Absher discount card every month.

"We cannot test the success of Emiratisation based on one initiative," said Nasser Al Hameli, of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs. "But the impact of Absher signals that the number of locals who are interested is increasing."

The discount scheme is targeting other basic services such as health, education and transport.

"We are now in final discussions with 20 different parties, and the offers will be announced soon," said Mr Al Hameli.

Applicants can register for a discount card online at www.mol.gov.ae. You must have proof of citizenship, an ID card, labour card, and copies of your last three wage slips.