Date: Dubai, UAE; Saturday, November 20, 2021
 
Emirates First Group, a Dubai-based business set-up and investment advisory, honoured five Public Relations Officers (PROs) for their outstanding contribution at the Middle East PRO Awards Ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Deira, Dubai.
 
This is the first recorded such award scheme for the Public Relations Officers (PROs) in this part of the world, launched by Emirates First Group – which provides business set up and documents clearing services for new investors setting up businesses in the UAE.
 
Mr Najeeb Kandapuram, MLA from Perinthalmanna Constituency in South Indian state of Kerala, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
 
Public Relations Officers (PROs) are those professionals who handle the official paperwork related to an employees’ work permit, employment visa, Emirates ID and other professional document clearing services. They work for private companies or government departments, and process all official paperwork relating to government permits, approvals, etc. Companies in the UAE require the services of a Government Liaison Officer, otherwise known as a Public Relations Officer.
 
The most common requirements for PRO services in the UAE include Resident and Employee Visa, Labour and Immigration Cards, Labour Quota applications, Investor Visas, Family Visas, Offshore & Security Passes (CICPA), Emirates ID Cards, Company and Branch formation, Annual Licence renewals and updates, Changes to Trade Licences, transfers, Regulatory approvals and NOC letters, Notarisation of Legal Documents, etc.
 
These activities require specific skills and knowledge and every PRO has to update and upgrade their knowledge on the new government procedures to process these documents. Thousands of PROs are currently working in the public and private sectors in the GCC countries.
 
Usman Abdulla has received the PRO Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding services spanning more than 50 years. Usman Abdulla, who has been working in this sector since the formation of the UAE Federation in December 1971, received Dh10,000 from Mr Najeeb Kandapuram, MLA from Perinthalmanna Constituency in Kerala.
 
Siju Thankachan won the Humanitarian Initiative PRO Award with a prize money of Dh5,000 from Atif Rahman, Founder and Chairman of ORO24 Development. Most Productive PRO Award was won by Abdul Gafoor Thayyil with a cash prize of AED5,000. He received his prize from Saleem Ittimal, President of United PRO Association.
 
Employers’ Accreditation PRO Award was won by Mohamed Ashraf with cash prize of AED3,000 handed over by Thamim Abubaker, CEO of ECH while Khasim Hamza won the PRO Working in Multiple Organisations Award with cash prize money of AED3,000. He received his award from Surej Kumar Sridharan, Director of Asianet Middle East.
 
“The success of businesses to some extend depends on the skills, knowledge, experience and expertise of the PROs who work day and night to serve any organisation, however, are usually not honoured for their hard work and dedication,” Jamad Usman, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates First Group, says.
 
“The paperwork of new employees in the UAE are handled by PROs – who remain the symbol of hopes of too many people. However, it still remains a thankless job. That’s why we decided to honour the top 5 PROs in the UAE recommends made by a select and independent jury.
 
“I am happy to announce that the PROs Awards will become a regular annual award programme because of the overwhelming response we have received on our portal www.efirst.ae and we plan to extend beyond the UAE territory in the coming years.”
 
PRO award is a great way to express appreciation to a PRO for their service in this field. In the world where company formation and status change for employees or families is so important. Any company in the UAE requires a PRO and their services as a Government Liaison Officer, otherwise known as a Public Relations Officer. It is important to celebrate because their loyalty plays a very important role to the company and the employees. 
 
When a company celebrates employees’ milestones with PRO awards, they recognise the ongoing efforts of few of the main pillars of a company. By doing that, one motivates other employees and PROs to deliver their best work and improving the state of employee engagement.
 
Role of Honour in the Middle East Emirates First PRO Awards
 
Life Time Achievement Award
Winner              : Usman Abdulla
Cash Prize        : AED10,000
Awarded by      : Najeeb Kandapuram, MLA from Perinthalmanna Constituency in Kerala
 
Humanitarian Initiative Award
Winner              : Siju Thankachan
Cash Prize        : AED5,000
Awarded by      : Atif Rahman, Founder and Chairman of ORO24 Development
 
Most Number of Employees Served
Winner              : Abdul Gafoor Thayyil
Cash Prize        : AED5,000
Awarded by      : Saleem Ittimal, President of United PRO Association
 
Employers Accreditation
Winner              : Mohamed Ashraf
Cash Prize        : AED3,000
Awarded by      : Thamim Abubaker, CEO of ECH
 
PRO Working in Multiple Organisations
Winner              : Khasim Hamza
Cash Prize        : AED3,000
Awarded by      : Surej Kumar Sridharan, Director of Asianet Middle East