The Pakistan Embassy launched an investors’ secretariat in Riyadh to mobilize participation of Pakistani traders and entrepreneurs in the Kingdom’s booming economy.
Demonstrating a positive trend in Pakistan government’s business and commerce policy to export products and services and to mobilize overseas Pakistanis for investments back home, the launch program also highlighted outgoing Pakistani Ambassador Naeem Khan’s initiative to mobilize Pakistani traders and entrepreneurs for bolstering the ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
Giving one of his farewell speeches before he takes up his new position in the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Khan asked the newly formed secretariat to come up with research and business plans on potential investments by Pakistanis in the Kingdom's health, education and consumer sectors.
“Pakistanis are the most active community here and their country’s relations with the Kingdom are at their pinnacle,” said Khan. “It is the best of times for Pakistan in its bilateral relations with Saudi Arabia.”
The ambassador urged Pakistani businessmen to come forward to fulfill their social responsibility and help others in need as they have been doing in the past.
Waseem Hyat Bajwa, commercial counselor at the embassy, said on Tuesday: “Corporate Solutions, the local Pakistani-owned firm, will facilitate and provide the right environment for the germination of outgoing envoy’s vision and brainchild.”
Amir Shahzad, who manages Corporate Solutions, said: "The intent is to provide solutions to problems being faced by Pakistani investors here and to those Pakistani businesses who want to do business in the oil-rich Kingdom, which is diversifying its economy into health, education, infrastructure and renewable energy.”
Khalid Mehmood Chaudhury, chairman, Pakistan Investors Forum (PIF), reminded the 100 plus Pakistani entrepreneurs and community leaders present at the investors’ secretariat that they should demonstrate the highest level of professionalism and exhibit best business practices as being followed by others in the Kingdom.
Asghar Chaudhry, PIF president, promised to make the secretariat an incubator of business and investment ideas and models for the benefit of both the Kingdom and Pakistan.
The Pakistani investors in the Kingdom expressed gratitude to have a secretariat sponsored by the embassy and managed by a local firm, which provides corporate services and business solutions.
According to the embassy, about 1.5 million Pakistanis live in the Kingdom and send home an estimated $4 billion every year.
According to a report, the amount is expected to surpass $4.5 billion this fiscal year.
The program was also attended by Pakistani community leaders who congratulated the outgoing envoy, PIF and organizers for establishing the secretariat.
A dozen Pakistani health and pharmaceutical business houses that participated in the Saudi Health 2014 at the Riyadh exhibition center last week garnered some orders, including promises of investments from a couple of Saudis in the Pakistani health and pharmaceutical industry.
Pakistan investors’ secretariat to mobilize traders
Pakistan investors’ secretariat to mobilize traders
Saudization rates in marketing, sales professions announced
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced the issuance of two decisions to increase Saudization rates in marketing and sales professions.
This comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to enhance the participation of national talent in the labor market, raise the level of Saudization in specialized professions, and provide stimulating and productive job opportunities for Saudi citizens across the Kingdom.
The first decision stipulates raising the Saudization rate to 60 percent in marketing professions in the private sector, effective Jan. 19, 2026. It applies to establishments with three or more employees in marketing professions, with a minimum wage of SR5,500 ($1,466).
The targeted professions include: marketing manager, advertising agent, and advertising manager, as well as graphic designer, advertising designer, and public relations specialist. They also include advertising specialist and marketing specialist, as well as public relations manager and photographer.
The decision will be implemented three months after the announcement date to allow establishments sufficient time to prepare and implement it.
The second decision stipulates raising the Saudization rate to 60 percent in sales positions within the private sector, effective Jan. 19, 2026. This applies to establishments with three or more employees in sales roles, including: sales manager, retail sales representative, and wholesale sales representative as well as sales representative, IT and communications equipment sales specialist, and sales specialist. They also include a commercial specialist and a goods broker.
The decision will take effect three months after the announcement date to allow targeted establishments time to fulfill the requirements and achieve the Saudization target.
The entity clarified that private sector establishments will benefit from a package of incentives offered by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, including support for recruitment, training and development, and employment, as well as job stability and priority access to Saudization support programs and programs of the Human Resources Development Fund.
The ministry also confirmed that its decision to raise Saudization rates in marketing and sales professions was based on analytical studies of labor market needs, in line with the number of job seekers in related specializations and the current and future requirements of the sales and marketing sectors.
It noted that implementing these decisions would enhance the attractiveness of the labor market, contribute to increasing quality job opportunities, and promote job stability for Saudi nationals.
The ministry further published the procedural guide for the two decisions on its website, which includes details of the targeted professions, the mechanisms for calculating Saudization rates, and the required compliance steps.
It urged all covered establishments to comply with the implementation to avoid penalties and to take advantage of the grace period provided for preparation and fulfillment of the requirements.
