Abu Dhabi, Sep 17 - The capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) accounted for 23 percent of all advertised jobs in the Gulf region in the first six months of this year, a study has showed.

Abu Dhabi's share of jobs advertised in the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries grew by nine percent this year compared to the same period in 2008.

The rest of the GCC countries either recorded a drop or a slight increase in the number of jobs advertised, WAM news agency reported Wednesday citing a study by online recruitment firm GulfTalent.com.

The study comes ahead of an exhibition in Abu Dhabi next month to boost recruitment opportunities in the GCC. The annual event was first organised in 2007.

The country's major employers such as Abu Dhabi Finance and Abu Dhabi Water and Electric Authority (ADWEA) are among the participants in the fair at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre Oct 20-22.