The opportunities for Saudi Arabian nationals looking to forge careers in the shipping industry as part of the government’s long term drive towards Saudisation, will be explored during a special focus session at an inaugural maritime event in the kingdom.

The 2014 Saudi Maritime Congress will take place on November 25 and 26 at the Sheraton Dammam Hotel and Towers.

The event will include a realistic analysis of career prospects in the shipping and ports sector as the country pushes ahead with its Nitaqat initiative goals.
The Nitaqat programme, which was launched in 2011, mandated that at least 30 per cent of employees in private sector companies are Saudi Arabian nationals, with companies categorised and ranked on a sliding scale by size, performance and sector relevance.

According to a US’ Massachusett’s Institute of Technology (MIT) April study, under the Nitaqat initiative, the number of Saudi Arabians employed in the private sector increased by 462,000 for the period between July 2011 and October 2012.

Chris Hayman, chairman, Seatrade, organiser of the event, said: “With over $30 billion of investment into major land and sea infrastructural projects designed to support long term maritime trade growth in the kingdom and with Saudi unemployment levels dipping to 11.5 per cent at the end of 2013 from 12.1 per cent in 2012, of which around 30 per cent and 32 per cent are young males and females respectively, there is clearly a huge opportunity for investment into local human capital across the ports and shipping sector.

“High levels of foreign direct investment, which tallied a staggering $12.2 billion in 2012, as per UN statistics, are a vital means of providing the Saudi government with ways to create new jobs in the maritime, trade and logistics sectors. With Saudisation a key strategic focus under the government’s five-year plan, the industry has a lot to gain from capitalising on its wealth of local resources.”

The event will look at the kingdom’s expanding maritime sector with a line-up of respected international industry experts presenting their perspective on what the industry can offer in terms of employment opportunities for Saudi Arabian nationals in an interactive round table format.

According to the Saudi labour ministry, three million new jobs are needed for Saudi Arabian nationals by next year, and high birth rates are compounding the situation increasing the number of youths entering the job market every year, with salary expectations, on average, 3.6 times higher than those of foreign workers.

“In recent months the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia) has also rejected applications for new trade licenses where companies have been unable to demonstrate viable Saudisation plans; it is imperative, therefore, that investors and operators scale up their recruitment efforts in order to ensure that workable plans are put in place to maintain industry momentum and secure long term success,” noted Hayman.

The National Shipping Company of Saudi Arabia (Bahri) initiated event will be complemented by an associated exhibition including leading shipping lines, shippers, cargo owners, forwarders, logistic companies, port terminal operators, port equipment and service suppliers. - TradeArabia News Service