JEDDAH, 17 July — Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday gave a personal push to the ongoing Saudization campaign by paying a visit to a private sector firm which has just employed 1,000 Saudis.
“I don’t know how to commend this national spirit. We are in need of more such efforts to develop the capabilities of our citizens in all areas of specialization to get along with the fast progressing world,” the governor said at a ceremony held to mark the occasion of his visit to United Sugar Company, an affiliate of Savola Group.
The governor’s visit was in line with his support for the private sector and Saudization drive.
He has often called for vocational training programs to help provide qualified Saudis required by national companies and factories.
Adel Faqeeh, chairman and managing director of Savola, underlined his company’s efforts to provide on-the-job training to Saudis. “We have signed an agreement with the Manpower Development Fund to employ 300 Saudis in Savola and 700 Saudis in Azizia Panda,” he announced.
United Sugar, launched in 1997, is one of the major achievements of Yamamah Offset Program with Britain.
The factory not only meets domestic demand but also exports its products to other Gulf and Arab countries.
United Sugar has decided to increase its annual capacity from 500,000 to 885,000 tons by year-end. Its partners have agreed to provide SR140 million in loans to expand the SR700 million factory.
Located at Jeddah Islamic Port, the factory produced two million tons of sugar by September 2001. Savola is a leading multinational group. Founded in 1979 to manufacture edible oils for the Saudi market, it has become one of the most successful and fastest growing food groups in the Middle East with varied business interests including snack foods, edible oils, confectionery and various packaging and agricultural activities.
It is active in over 20 countries, including the US, Europe and North Africa as well as the Middle East. Its brands are household names throughout the Arab world.
