HADAF, NIDLP sign agreement to support Saudization in industrial, logistics sectors

HADAF, NIDLP sign agreement to support Saudization in industrial, logistics sectors
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Turki Al-Jawini, Director General of HADAF (R), and Suliman Al-Mazroua CEO of NIDLP sign an agreement to support Saudization. (Supplied)
HADAF, NIDLP sign agreement to support Saudization in industrial, logistics sectors
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Bandar Alkhorayef, minister of industry and mineral resources, during a tour of industrial cities in Jeddah in March 2022. (SPA)
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Updated 26 January 2023

HADAF, NIDLP sign agreement to support Saudization in industrial, logistics sectors

HADAF, NIDLP sign agreement to support Saudization in industrial, logistics sectors
  • The agreement aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power and an international logistics platform in several promising areas

RIYADH: The Saudi Human Resources Development Fund, known as HADAF, concluded a cooperation agreement with Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Development and Logistics Program in Riyadh on Thursday, Jan. 26, to support the training and recruitment of national cadres in opportunities generated by program’s initiatives.

In a joint statement, the two sides agreed to contribute to the development of human capital in support of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 initiatives.

The agreement was signed by Turki Al-Jawini, director-general of HADAF, and Suliman Al-Mazroua, CEO of NIDLP. 

The agreement aims to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial power and an international logistics platform in several promising areas, focusing on the application of 4G technologies for industry. It will also contribute to the creation of employment and training opportunities for national cadres.

The agreement’s provisions include cooperation in the exchange of information, the transfer of expertise and the implementation of joint projects. 

The parties also agreed to establish a joint working group to provide periodic reports on the progress of work.

HADAF revealed that in 2022 it supported the employment of 400,000 citizens in private-sector enterprises through the fund’s programs and initiatives.

Al-Jawini said that the fund has undergone many transformations over the past year and is presently working in partnership with various government and private-sector companies to empower Saudis with job opportunities.

The number of people who benefitted from the fund’s training and counseling services in the past year exceeded 1.49 million, he added, while the number of enterprises that benefitted from the fund’s services during the same period exceeded 138,000.

Total disbursements on training and support programs over the past year reached SR6 billion ($266 million), Al-Jawini said.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched in October 2022 the National Industrial Strategy, which aims to drive growth in the sector and increase the number of factories to 36,000 by 2035, SPA reported.

The strategy also aims to develop an industrial economy that attracts investment and contributes to achieving economic diversification and sustainable growth by developing domestic products and non-oil exports in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia is seeking to triple manufacturing by 2030, to create tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and to increase the value of industrial exports to SR557 billion, the total additional investments in the sector to SR1.3 trillion and the export of advanced technology products sixfold.

Through the strategy, the Kingdom aims to empower the private sector, increase the flexibility and competitiveness of the industrial sector, lead the regional industrial integration of value chains and achieve global leadership by investing in promising new technologies.

Saudi Arabia is currently the fourth largest manufacturer of petrochemical products in the world, while its industrial outputs contribute to global supply and manufacturing chains.


Saudi crown prince, in talks with Chinese president, recognizes Beijing’s role in renewal of ties with Iran

Saudi crown prince, in talks with Chinese president, recognizes Beijing’s role in renewal of ties with Iran
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi crown prince, in talks with Chinese president, recognizes Beijing’s role in renewal of ties with Iran

Saudi crown prince, in talks with Chinese president, recognizes Beijing’s role in renewal of ties with Iran
  • During the call aspects of partnership between the Kingdom and China were reviewed

RIYADH: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had a phone conversation on Tuesday with Chinese president Xi Jinping, where they emphasized the importance of relations the two countries.
The crown prince also expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation for the Chinese role and efforts to develop the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Saudi Press Agency reported.
For his part, the Chinese president praised the Kingdom’s role in strengthening Beijing’s relations with GCC countries and countries of the Middle East.
During the call, they reviewed aspects of partnership between the Kingdom and China, as well as joint efforts to enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields.


Bus crash kills 20 in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region

Bus crash kills 20 in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region
Updated 28 March 2023

Bus crash kills 20 in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region

Bus crash kills 20 in Saudi Arabia’s Asir region
  • The bus had departed Khamis Mushayt and was heading to Abha

RIYADH: A bus crash killed 20 people on Monday and injured 29 more in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern region.

State TV Al-Ekhbariya said the accident occurred around 4 p.m. in Aqabat Shaar, in Asir province. The bus had departed Khamis Mushayt and was heading to Abha.

Reports indicated that problems with breaks on the bus led to a collision with a barrier at the end of a bridge, which caused it to overturn and catch fire.

The Aqabat Shaar is a 14 kilometers road that was opened over 40 years ago. Its construction included cutting through mountains and establishing 11 tunnels and 32 bridges, according to the Saudi Press Agency.


Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

Saudi crown prince, Iraqi PM discuss cooperation

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, have discussed ways to enhance bilateral strategic cooperation and partnership within the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council.

The officials also reviewed issues of mutual interest, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Tuesday.


Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
Updated 28 March 2023

Saudi Arabia’s wizkids of the future offered expertise on the appliance of science

Several short academic, international and research courses will teach budding scientists practical skills. (SPA)
  • Mawhiba foundation has 12,000 places on programs designed to guide gifted students on career path

RIYADH: Thousands of students are being given the chance to find their inner boffin and get to grips with ethical and social issues of science research on programs by the Mawhiba foundation.

The foundation, also known as the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, has opened registration for several short academic, international and research “enrichment” courses that teach budding scientists practical skills and help them find a future path.

Mawhiba says on its website that the programs are open to “gifted and talented students of both genders” from across the Kingdom, and are intended as a first step to helping them “identify their skills and potentials” and prepare them for more advanced foundation schemes.

Taking part also increases the opportunity to obtain scholarships offered by the Ministry of Education, it said.

The foundation said that the academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s “personal and social skills… improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities.”

HIGHLIGHT

The academic enrichment course aims to enhance a student’s personal and social skills ... improve their competence and readiness, build their scientific and practical expertise and challenge their abilities. The research program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

The research enrichment program teaches scientific research ethics, deals with issues surrounding intellectual property rights and sets students on a path to their preferred field of expertise.

It said the programs use “instructors and academics who have undergone continuous training courses and advanced programs that keep pace with the best technologies and scientific discoveries.”

In-person courses will take place in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dhahran and Al-Ahsa and will be complemented by virtual courses open to students across the Kingdom.

Registration is open until June 13. Courses begin towards the end of July and finish mid-August. Mawhiba said that there are a total of around 12,000 places on its courses.

 


Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
Updated 27 March 2023

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah

Deal signed to promote cultural activities in Jeddah
  • The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent

JEDDAH: Officials from the Jeddah Literary Cultural Club and Al-Hijaz Cultural House in the city’s historic Al-Balad district recently signed a cooperation agreement to promote cultural programs.

The initiative aims to run a series of cultural, intellectual, and training events in Al-Balad for young people while helping support and develop youth talent.

Club chairman, Abdullah Al-Sulami, said one of the main provisions of the deal was to establish cultural and social activities, adding that the community partnership was a requirement for everyone “who plays a constructive role in thinking and caring for young men and women, developing their talents, and presenting them to a conscious and promising society.”

Al-Hijaz Cultural House manager, Mohammed Al-Hasani, said the link-up with the club would be managed by the Abqar Poetry Hub which offers monthly activities including poetry evenings and workshops for young talents supervised by poet and journalist Abdulaziz Al-Sharif.