Almost nine in every 10 UAE companies plan to hire new staff during 2018, according to new research.

The Bayt.com Middle East Job Index Survey said there is a positive outlook for the job market in the UAE, with 86 percent of firms intending to hire and 75 percent saying they will be hiring in the next three months.

Additionally, the survey showed that nearly four in five (79 percent) of working respondents in the UAE claim that their company has hired new employees in the last 12 months.

It said that for UAE companies looking to hire in the next three months, two thirds say they will be hiring for up to 20 jobs, while 14 percent say they will be hiring for up to 100 jobs.

In the UAE, the greatest demand in the coming three months will be for sales executives, accountants, project managers, sales managers and directors, the survey said.

Across the region, SMEs in the private sector took the leading spot in terms of hiring potential, where 76 percent of them said they will be hiring.

Industries that are most likely to hire are Consumer Goods/FMCG (81 percent are planning to hire), real estate and construction (80 percent), and hospitality/entertainment (78 percent), the survey added.

“Perceptions of the job market in the Middle East and North Africa are more positive for 2018, with employers predicting improvements in hiring potential in the immediate future,” said Suhail Masri, VP of Employer Solutions, Bayt.com.

The Bayt.com Job Index, released bi-annually, is an in-depth study that tracks job availability and hiring trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market and provides an understanding of the required skills and qualifications in the region.