JEDDAH, 21 January 2003 — Professor John Quelch, senior assistant dean of international studies at Harvard Business School, said yesterday that increased representation by Saudi majors like SABIC and Aramco at the Jeddah Economic Forum has given it considerable credibility.
“I feel this major regional event has every potential of becoming an established feature on the world business stage,” he said in an exclusive interview with Arab News.
The potential for maximizing human resources in the Kingdom is evident in the presence of 650 Saudi businesswomen at the forum, he continued, adding that “he felt that to under-utilize the talented and highly skilled human capital represented by women in business would be a tragic waste.”
Their presence was both symbolic and important,” he stated. “It is vital that both genders contribute to the building and running of commerce in the Kingdom.”
Faraya Arayed, speaking on behalf of the women, said that she saw the inclusion of women in the proceedings this year as “the first step to much greater participation and meaningful involvement in business in the future.”
Professor Quelch also said he viewed the location of the forum as significant.
“Dubai has become the Singapore of the Middle East, but Jeddah is ideally located for trade, especially considering its port.”
He felt sure that Jeddah and the Kingdom would benefit hugely from developing a free trade area.
Commenting on Saudization, he urged investment in the Saudi talent pool. Taking a long-term view, he foresaw a time when inexpensive labor from emerging nations would no longer be readily available.
“As their economies develop from investment and increased trade, labor will stay at home. That is when the Kingdom will need its own educated and trained people.”
