Gulf Renewables Lab, a UL-GCC joint venture based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, has received a special award for its innovative and forward-thinking initiatives.

The joint venture was commended due to its direct alignment to the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy to diversify its economy and ensure sustainability.

Global safety science organization UL is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois, US. Its regional base operates out of offices in Dubai and its new, state-of-the-art lab facility in Abu Dhabi. The joint venture operates as a UL and GCC Lab Company and is based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to cater to customers in various parts of the Middle East, including Egypt.

Hamid Syed, vice president and general manager of UL Middle East, received the SAGIA certificate in person from Ibrahim bin Abdurrahman Al-Omar, Governor at Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) at a special ceremony at the Saudi-US CEO Forum 2018 in New York City, which coincided with an official Saudi Arabia state visit.

“We are absolutely honoured to receive such a special and unexpected award for our joint venture partnership with GCC Labs,” Syed said. “Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is vitally important to the future of the country and the region, therefore this agreement was put in place to directly help achieve and deliver on that vision. At UL, we feel very privileged to be in a position where we can help to play a part in helping the vision become a reality for the good of so many people.

“We enjoy working with our friends and colleagues at Gulf Renewables Lab and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship that delivers a lasting legacy for KSA and the Mena region,” Syed added

The Gulf Renewables Lab is a closed joint stock company that was formed by a select group of prime governmental and commercial entities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region. Its mandate is to provide testing, inspection and certification services for electrical equipment.

The joint venture supports the region’s renewable energy market by leveraging parties’ resources, knowledge and experience and updating the certification requirements. It also offers a variety of services related to the renewable industry, such as pre-commissioning tests, construction monitoring services and product testing of solar PV modules, including accessories that comply with applicable standards including UL and IEC standards.

Saleh Amri, CEO of GCC Lab said: “GCC Lab is honoured by the receipt of the certificate during such a prestigious event and is looking toward a successful journey with its partner, UL, which will significantly contribute to the Kingdom’s vision 2030 through localizing the renewables testing activities, creating a knowledge based economy and offering rewarding careers to Saudi workforce.”

The Middle East markets to be served by the joint venture all have ambitious renewable targets with substantial growth expected over the next several years. It is anticipated that the joint venture will be well positioned to support those targets in the years to come. – TradeArabia News Service