Following a successful career in banking at national and international levels, Ali Al Nuaimi brought his negotiation skills to the FNC to fight for issues that concern UAE nationals and residents.
Mr Al Nuaimi, 48, was appointed for his first term in the council by the Ruler of Ajman and has been noticeably active in the past three years during the sessions, raising questions to ministers.
He was the first member to raise five questions in a single session.
“I was previously in the banking industry, so maybe from that angle the Ruler saw me as a person who could communicate with the public and showcase their points and problems to decision-makers,” he says.
Reflecting on his most productive moments, Mr Al Nuaimi considers the discussions regarding commercial companies, small and medium projects, and pensions draft laws as big accomplishments.
“For example, after the small and medium projects law was referred to us, I took the opinions of nationals on how beneficial this law was to them and what they wanted from it,” he says. “So I was able to form some ideas and discuss them with the committee.”
Similarly, ahead of the pensions law discussions, nationals were consulted and voiced their concerns.
“We asked them about women’s retirement. Some said they preferred it if she focused on her home, and some said they preferred she was not tied to the retirement ladder,” he says.
“Each had differing opinions, so in the end I took the average, and formed a point of view based on it and raised it to the committee.
“I felt an accomplishment after we discussed and passed the commercial companies law. Also, a number of civil laws which I had the chance to be the committee’s representative for and to present the draft in front of the council. This gave me a chance to argue and defend the choices of the committee.”
Despite the long, active debates held in public sessions, Mr Al Nuaimi says most of the members’ work is conducted behind the scenes during committee meetings and through the questions they raise to ministers.
While there is official communication with the public, most discussions are done informally.
In fact, Mr Al Nuaimi considers increased social communication with the public as his biggest life change since he joined the council.
“We meet with the locals in majlises face to face ... or any event or occasion they walk up to me and voice their issues and problems.”
Mr Al Nuaimi also follows the media for upcoming issues and takes in comments made by people.
“If there is a specific trend that requires my attention I try to work on the issue and discover if it is true and deserves to be raised.”
He is looking forward to discussing the Central Bank’s policy, an area with which he is familiar and has a lot to offer.
“Surely I had a lot of experience and views to add in many points in the report, but it does not mean that I was the only one who participated.”
In general, Mr Al Nuaimi describes his FNC experience as an optimistic one where he turns any disappointments into something positive.
“Maybe, until now, at the council we were not able to reach an agreement on a specific idea, but I consider this as exposure to a variety of opinions,” he says. “In general, the members have a lot of energy and can produce more but it depends on the available capabilities we condition ourselves for. We focus on quality not quantity.”
hdajani@thenational.ae