MANAMA: Bahrain aspires to become the face of innovation in finance in the Middle East and a hub for financial technology (FinTech) in the region.
Rasheed Al-Maraj, governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), stressed the need for a progressive approach to promote an environment conducive to new businesses. “Banking is a very regimental industry,” he said at the two-day 6th GCC Financial Forum in Manama that ended Tuesday, adding that Bahrain plans to introduce the latest technology in the sector.
“It will create a new set of rules for our industry to go forward,” the banker said.
A number of key components are required to transform these aspirations into a reality. David Parker, executive director of financial services at Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), pointed out those components: A regulatory sandbox, having a physical FinTech hub for entrepreneurs and setting up a FinTech fund.
“I’m working with the regulator (CBB) to see how to put a sandbox in place that is going to work,” said Parker said on the sidelines of the forum on Tuesday.
The CBB will be in charge of establishing the sandbox and the EDB has brought Singapore FinTech Consortium on board to help advise on that process.
Elaborating on the second factor that can provide Bahrain with a strong basis to enhance on FinTech, Parker said: “Putting in place some form (of) physical FinTech hub whereby entrepreneurs can use Bahrain as a physical and online space to test and develop new ideas relevant to the industry here… regionally… and internationally.”
He said that it could initially kick off as an incubator or a co-working space for startups. But what the EDB would like to bring in on top of that in the future is to work with a partner to develop it as an accelerator.
The Singaporean model is also favored by Bahrain in this area, particularly because Singapore has launched the world’s largest FinTech accelerator in 2016.
A FinTech fund is the third on the list of necessities in shaping Bahrain’s FinTech sphere. It aims to provide entrepreneurs, who come to Bahrain in the initial stages of their projects, with access to funding.
“I would like that fund to be available to entrepreneurs outside of Bahrain as well as inside... We need to acknowledge if Bahrain is going to be a player within this space. Bahrain is a small country (and) there is a limited market. We want to encourage Bahrain to be…where entrepreneurs come to test their ideas and services. Maybe in some cases we need to acknowledge the need to move on to a bigger market,” said Parker said.
Second causeway: tourism booster
The proposed second causeway linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain is likely to boost Bahrain’s tourism industry, Khalid Al-Rumaihi, CEO of the EDB, told Arab News.
Bahrain, with a population of 1.3 million, had 12.2 million visitors last year, up from 11.6 million the year before. An estimated 8 million came to Bahrain through Saudi borders.
“The causeway is a massive source of tourism, and it’s something we’d like to capture,” Al-Rumaihi said.
The EDB tracks the travel habits of those visitors, monitoring their length of stay. Statistics show that about 10 percent spend at least two nights in Bahrain.
“There’s huge potential to outgrow that. We’d like to see that grow from 10 to 15 or maybe 20 percent,” Al-Rumaihi said. The second 87-km causeway will be parallel to King Fahd Causeway, and is set to comprise a GCC rail network as well.
Having rail connections across Jeddah and Riyadh is also expected to allow even more visitors from the western and central provinces to have better land access to Bahrain.
Bahrain is focused on being an attractive destination for tourists from countries in the region who wish to come on short vacations and spend less money than they would if they traveled outside the region.
Rather than investing more on reaching out to tourists from other regions such as Europe, Al-Rumaihi said his country is more interested in expanding on the 12.2 million that come from the GCC.
He sees potential to develop medical tourism and get patients from neighboring Saudi Arabia, as well as sports tourism. Bahrain hosts the Formula 1, which attracts a large number of car-racing fans.
According to the EDB, Bahrain allows around 100 nationalities the flexibility of getting an e-visa or a visa upon arrival at the airport.
New laws
The CBB last month enacted three laws — Trusts Law, Investment Limited Partnerships Law and Protected Cells Companies Law — based on international best practice and need of financial services sector and financial institutions.
The new laws aim to enhance the competitiveness of Bahrain’s financial sector. The contribution of the financial services sector to Bahrain’s gross domestic product (GDP) is 17.5 percent. There are 113 banks in Bahrain, 25 of which are fully Shariah-complaint.
“When it comes to Islamic banking as well, Bahrain has come a long way in terms of introducing new products and helping the industry to move forward. One of the recent products is a ‘Wakala’ facility (liquidity tool) for Islamic banks to mobilize their excess liquidity and place it with the central bank,” said Al-Maraj.
Ukrainian firm DTEK seeks Saudi partnerships to enhance European energy security
Updated 4 sec ago
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: Ukraine is actively seeking financial partnerships with Saudi Arabia to diversify its economy, focusing on cleantech, agriculture, and energy, according to a senior executive.
In an interview with Arab News, Maxim Timchenko, CEO of Ukrainian energy company DTEK, revealed that high-level governmental talks with the Public Investment Fund and other Saudi institutions regarding capital deployment in the country were in progress.
He said: “The main area of what we are discussing with PIF and other institutions is the deployment of capital in Ukraine and participation in cleantech, IT, agriculture, and energy sectors. These are the priorities where we work together so that you can be part of the recovery of Ukraine.”
Timchenko also outlined a recent meeting between DTEK representatives and the CEO of ACWA Power. They discussed potential opportunities for collaboration in Ukraine and other European countries.
“We have operating assets. We have some solar and wind parks in development. We want to be very active in battery storage and flexible capacity investment in the grid, and we disclosed all this, all these plans to ACWA Power and CEO,” Timchenko stated.
He added that they agreed to continue the dialogue at the government level because decisions needed to be made regarding the intensity at which ACWA Power could deploy capital in Ukraine and European projects.
Timchenko noted that discussions on May 17 primarily focused on establishing financial partnerships with Saudi Arabia to support Ukraine’s economic diversification.
“Ukraine has the second-largest deposits of natural gas on the European continent, and of course, your technologies, your resources, and knowledge of your companies will be very helpful to explore all this potential in the gas and oil industry in Ukraine,” the firm’s CEO said.
He added, “For us, it’s important to develop clean technologies and renewables, as we already discussed, but as well as become one of the major suppliers of natural gas to the European continent, and I think this is the area where we can build partnerships that your companies will come to Ukraine.”
Timchenko stressed that Ukraine and the firm are seeking investment opportunities from Saudi Arabia, which sponsored the fight between Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and British boxer Tyson Fury, held in Riyadh on May 18.
“Today’s a very important event, not only for the boxing world, but for our country and for Saudi Arabia, and we are very thankful to your country for hosting this important event,” he said.
Timchenko added, “That it, the first time in over the last 25 years, we have this unified fight, regional absolute champion and in boxing world today and I think, we’re here together with our team, with Usyk’s team to raise awareness of the situation in Ukraine. Necessity to support us.”
These partnerships could position Ukraine as a major supplier of clean energy to Europe, with Saudi Arabia playing a significant role through its financial resources and strategic alignment.
DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, has invested over €1.5 billion ($1.63 billion) in renewables, establishing itself as a leader in the sector.
The company’s strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia’s vision for green transition and clean technologies.
Sky’s the limit: Saudi Arabia’s Future Aviation Forum 2024 will help fuel Kingdom’s Vision 2030
Updated 19 May 2024
Nadin Hassan
RIYADH: Aviation leaders and key figures from across the globe will convene in Riyadh for the Future Aviation Forum 2024, a three-day event highlighting the strides in global air travel innovation, coinciding with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to generate $100 billion from the sector by 2030.
The event, centered on the theme “Elevating Global Connectivity,” will unite more than 5,000 experts and leaders in aviation from over 100 countries, including ministers, regulators, and manufacturers, as well as representatives from airlines and airports.
Led by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the event is set to take place from May 20 to 22 and will highlight various projects and incentives aimed at attracting investments into Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing aerospace sector.
This includes investment projects across areas such as airports, airlines, and ground services, as well as cargo, and logistics, which will be highlighted on the sidelines of the forum’s Investment Showcase.
The $100 billion in opportunities includes more than $50 billion earmarked for airports, around $40 billion for new aircraft orders, and $10 billion allocated to other projects.
Building on the success of the 2022 edition, which witnessed the signing of over 50 agreements and deals totaling $2.7 billion, this year’s forum will showcase commercial announcements alongside roadmap presentations and specialized panel sessions focusing on general aviation.
Minister for Transport and Logistics Services Saleh Al-Jasser will inaugurate FAF24 and said: “Saudi Arabia is offering unparalleled aviation investment opportunities globally. The Saudi Aviation Strategy aims to triple passenger numbers, connect to over 250 destinations, and manage 330 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo by 2030.”
The Investment Showcase at the forum will be inaugurated by the Minister of Investment Khaled Al-Falih.
“Saudi Arabia is the world’s new investment hub, targeting $3.3 trillion in investment by 2030. Aviation is a key investment sector and enabler of the Kingdom’s broader economic transformation,” Al-Falih said, according to a press release.
He added: “The aviation investment showcase will provide investors with unparalleled access to participate in the Kingdom’s transformation.”
The showcase will include investor briefings, meetings, and panels on major projects including the massive six-runway King Salman International Airport in Riyadh and public-private partnerships for the Abha, Taif, Hail and Qassim international airports.
It will also feature opportunities in cargo and logistics, advanced air mobility, and business aviation. Aviation suppliers will be briefed on expansion plans for the new airline Riyadh Air, as well as leading regional airlines including Saudia, Flynas, and Flyadeal.
The main sponsors of the forum include Saudia Group, Matarat, King Salman International Airport, and Saudi Air Navigation Services.
Global aviation executives from companies including Boeing, Airbus, Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, and Embraer will also attend the event.
Additionally, GACA is set to unveil a General Aviation roadmap setting how to increase the sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product tenfold to $2 billion by 2030.
The plan covers the business jet segment, including charter, private, and corporate aircraft, and will support Saudi Arabia’s development as a global high-value business and tourist destination.
The new roadmap comes after Saudi Arabia revised its 2030 tourism target upwards from 100 to 150 million visitors in October 2023.
“The General Aviation roadmap will turbocharge the sector within the Kingdom, transforming infrastructure and regulations, simultaneously developing, promoting, and enhancing general aviation services in the market,” said Abdulaziz-Al Duailej, president of GACA.
He added: “GACA looks forward to hosting general aviation investors, operators, and service providers at the Future Aviation Forum in May, where we will launch this ambitious plan to global audiences.”
The roadmap is designed to bolster private aviation by facilitating infrastructure investments and streamlining regulations for aircraft owners, lessors, investors, operators, and service providers.
This initiative comes after GACA’s decision to eliminate ‘empty-leg restrictions’ and simplify economic license requirements for operators and investors in October 2023, aimed at enhancing the general aviation sector.
The event will also cover industry themes including business, talent and the future, collaborations, and ecosystems, as well as sustainability, innovation, and technology.
High-level speakers such as Fadi Al-Buhairan, CEO of Special Integrated Logistics Zone, Gaith Al-Gaith, CEO of FlyDubai, and Mohammed Al-Maghlouth, CEO of Matarat Holding, are set to participate in the forum.
Suliman Al-Mazroua, CEO of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, Bander Al-Mohanna, managing director and CEO of Flynas, and Fahd Cynndy, CEO of Saudia Technic are also due to take part.
Following the opening remarks on the first day, the panel titled “Ministerial Speech: Sky High Tourism – Unlocking Destinations and Cultural Exchange Now and in the Future” will take place, followed by a special conversation with Boeing and a spotlight session on the New Future of Aviation.
The event will then highlight the future of airports and logistics with the plenary sessions “Airports Council International Special Address: Airports of the Future” and “Insight Piece: Navigating Tomorrow – Customer Focus, Digitalization, and AI as Enablers for the Future.”
The first day will also address securing the future of human capital in aviation with the sessions “Cargo and Logistics Town Hall: An Era of Growth, Evolution, and Opportunity” and “Aviation Human Capital Now and for the Future – Meeting Our Industry’s Most Critical Challenge.”
On the second following the key address, a conversation session with Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China will take place followed by a panel exploring what is the “Future of Sustainability in Aviation and Tourism.”
It will then highlight a panel discussion on “Privatization, Investment and Funding – The Evolving Financial and Infrastructure Landscape,” which will then be followed by a conversation with Embraer.
The second day will spotlight the future of civil aviation with the sessions “Global Civil Aviation Spotlight: Tonga and Nepal,” “Civil Aviation Authority Director General Panel: Aviation – Accelerating from Economic Enabler to Sustainability Champion,” and an insight piece on “How Safe Are Our Skies.”
The third day will feature interactive workshops on assistance for aircraft accident victims and their families.
Saudi venture capital sector expanding exponentially
Global venture capital firms capitalize on Kingdom’s expansive strategy
Updated 19 May 2024
Nour El-Shaeri
CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s venture capital landscape continues to grow with its reverberations reaching far continents.
Global venture capital firms are capitalizing on the Kingdom’s expansive strategy, as evidenced by the state-owned Saudi Venture Capital Co.’s $30 million investment in a US-based investment firm.
SVC has pledged this significant investment in a private equity fund managed by the renowned US-based investment firm General Atlantic.
“The investment in the private equity fund by General Atlantic is part of SVC’s Investment in Funds Programme and an implementation of its strategy related to attracting top global fund managers to invest in Saudi-based companies as well as stimulating investment for later stages,” Nabeel Koshak, CEO and Board Member at SVC, commented.
Established in 1980, General Atlantic boasts a formidable reputation as a global growth equity investor, overseeing a vast portfolio of $84 billion in assets under management.
Nabeel Koshak, CEO and board member at SVC. (Supplied)
The focus of this venture will be on investing in high-growth, tech-enabled companies within Saudi Arabia.
The initiative aims to bolster innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, particularly in key sectors such as consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, and technology.
“We are very proud to partner with SVC and broaden our commitment to Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 sets the stage for a period of dynamic growth and innovation in Saudi Arabia, which will create attractive investment opportunities for our global investors. SVC is a highly strategic investor who will deepen our expertise in this important region,” Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of General Atlantic, said.
Saudi Arabia’s WheeKeep secures $8m series A funding
Saudi Arabian logistics startup WheeKeep raised $8 million in a series A round led by Fintech Collective, with participation from local and international investors.
Founded in 2020 by Sultan Al-Olayan, Amr Al-Marzouki, and Youssuf Fayez, WheeKeep provides mobile self-storage units for individuals and businesses.
The new capital will aim to fuel WheeKeep’s expansion plans in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Saudi Qsalary partners with Itqan Capital to launch $80m fund
Saudi HRtech company Qsalary has partnered with Itqan Capital to launch an $80 million investment fund.
Founded in 2022 by Mohammed Badwi and Amr Abu Shady, Qsalary offers a digital platform for accelerated salary payments.
The fund aims to provide investment opportunities for investors seeking financial growth.
Qatari investors commit $20m to MENA Fund I
Qatari investors are boosting the regional startup landscape with a $20 million commitment to the newly announced MENA Fund I.
Golden Gate Ventures, a venture capital fund founded by Silicon Valley natives, announced its first $100 million MENA fund, with $20 million in commitments from some of Qatar’s most prominent families.
The anchor investor is the multi-faceted Al Khor Holding, a company with 60 years of heritage. Other notable investors include the Al Attiya Group, widely recognized for its support in developing local businesses, and Sheikh Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani.
The announcement of the first close of its $100 million MENA Fund I, backed by the pillars of Qatar’s private business community, represents a major step forward in Golden Gate Ventures’ ambitions to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region.
The fund combines the aggregate regional influence of its investors with Golden Gate Ventures’ extensive experience in startup ecosystem development across Silicon Valley and Asia.
MENA Fund I is the first international venture capital fund to be established and managed within Qatar. Michael Lints, Partner at Golden Gate Ventures, has moved to Qatar to deepen the firm’s commitment to the MENA region.
The fund will focus on powering startups in key sectors such as alternative energy, green technology, B2B artificial intelligence, and energy-related deep tech.
Other strategic sectors that MENA Fund I will cover include fintech, healthtech, and edtech, furthering Qatar’s economic diversification agenda.
Glint completes first close of its second venture fund at $3 million
Egypt-based investment firm Glint completed the first close of its second venture fund at $3 million, supported by Wadi Degla Group.
Glint Fund II, led by Tarek Aboualam and Youssef Helmy Habib, aims to support Egyptian entrepreneurs with early-stage investments ranging from $250,000 to $500,000.
“Glint’s second fund represents an important step to further develop our ecosystem designed to support Egyptian tech-based startups looking to penetrate the regional and international markets,” said Aboualam.
UAE’s Property Finder raises $90m debt round to buyout lead investor
Dubai-based Property Finder secured $90 million in debt from Francisco Partners to finance the buyout of its first institutional investor, BECO Capital.
The online real estate platform bought back BECO Capital’s stake, which had also invested in ride-hailing app Careem and logistics startup Fetchr.
Property Finder said the deal allows BECO to exit “with a strong return on its investment,” without providing further details.
“We’ve seen tremendous growth in the real estate market across the entire UAE, not just Dubai,” said Michael Lahyani, CEO and founder of Property Finder. Valued at about $1 billion, the company joins the growing list of Middle Eastern unicorns.
UAE’s Lune raises $1.5m in seed round
UAE-based data analysis company Lune has raised $1.5 million in a seed round from Dubai Future District Fund, Plus Venture Capital, Reach International, and Judah Ventures, alongside other family offices and angel investors.
Founded in 2020 by Helal Tariq and Alexandre Soued, Lune enables financial institutions to turn customer transaction data into valuable insights.
The funding will support Lune’s regional expansion and product development.
Egypt’s MNZL raises $3.5m in seed funding
Egyptian fintech MNZL raised $3.5 million in a Seed round led by P1 Ventures, Localglobe, and Ingressive Capital, with additional support from 500 Startups, Flat6Labs, First Circle Capital, ENZA Capital, Beenok, and other angel investors.
Founded in 2023 by Sameh Saleh, Ahmed El-Dessouky, and Bassem El-Shaer, MNZL allows users to convert assets like homes and cars into liquidity.
“By enabling Egyptians to safely harness their own assets—homes or cars—for financial needs, We at MNZL are going beyond a mere adjustment; it’s a complete revolution in credit access. This shift not only empowers families by providing financial leverage but also contributes to broader economic prosperity in the region,” Saleh said.
The company aims to utilize the new capital to enhance MNZL’s technology and scale operations in Egypt.
Alvarez & Marsal outlines action-oriented approach as it launches regional HQ in Saudi Arabia
Decision reflects company’s dedication to long-term growth and transformation in the Saudi market
Updated 19 May 2024
REINA TAKLA & MIGUEL HADCHITY
RIYADH: Global consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal is set to introduce its distinct, unbiased, and action-oriented approach to Saudi Arabia’s market following the launch of its regional headquarters, according to a top official.
This decision, aimed at solidifying A&M’s presence in the region, reflects the company’s dedication to long-term growth and transformation in the Saudi market, James Dervin, managing director of the firm in the Middle East and co-head in the region, told Arab News.
He described the firm’s strategic vision in the Saudi market as “relatively simple,” adding that the aim is “to bring A&M’s differentiated, and non-conflicted, execution-focused proposition to a market which is at an inflection point in terms of demand for translation of strategy into action and results.”
Speaking of the inauguration of the firm’s regional headquarters, Dervin explained that “the decision was actually made some time ago, and we had been working on the establishment of the RHQ (regional headquarters) for approximately 12 months and simply wanted to be sure that we were able to meet all of the requirements, which, alhamdulillah, we were able to do.”
He further emphasized the significant growth witnessed across A&M’s team and service areas in the country, making the establishment of a regional headquarters a natural progression.
James Dervin, managing director of A&M in the Middle East and co-head in the region. (Supplied)
Starting from January 1, 2024, Saudi Arabia declared it would only award deals to foreign companies with Middle East bases within Saudi Arabia. As a result, numerous international firms across sectors such as energy, technology, healthcare, and hospitality have set up headquarters in Riyadh.
“We have witnessed strong growth across our team and service areas in the country in recent years, so as the company continues to deepen our roots in the Kingdom, this seemed a natural next step to take. It also reflects A&M’s commitment to the Saudi market for the long term,” Dervin added.
In a market witnessing increasing competition, A&M aims to stand out by its action-oriented approach, Dervin highlighted.
He added: “Our proposition is differentiated, elsewhere in the world, in the region, and in the Kingdom. We’re not ‘blue-sky’ thinkers, and we’re not auditors. A&M’s proposition is about taking action and achieving results in line with our ‘get-stuff-done’ brand.”
A&M’s suite of services spans restructuring, turnaround, performance improvement, and more, catering to a diverse range of business needs in Saudi Arabia.
Dervin elaborated on the company’s offerings, stating: “We work across the spectrum of under-performance, ranging from mild underperformance or 'turnaround' territory, through to stressed and distressed situations.”
He further emphasized the company’s ability to provide advisory or executive support, including taking on management roles like chief revenue office and chief financial officer, a service not commonly offered by competitors.
“The market, in general, is developing at an extraordinary rate, and the Kingdom’s visionary leadership deserves immense credit for the great strides that already have, and are still being made, for example; the Kingdom’s 2018 bankruptcy law was generally regarded as the most progressive in the region upon implementation, and appears to have meaningfully informed the UAE’s equivalent legislation, which was revised in 2024,” Dervin noted.
He further mentioned that the implementation of the law, and subsequently the introduction of processes like financial restructuring, have provided tools to aid in the rescue of businesses and to minimize the occurrence of outright failure and subsequent liquidation.
The enactment of the new Companies Law, coupled with the growing sophistication of the capital markets, is rendering the Kingdom – and the broader region – an increasingly enticing hub for foreign investment, according to the top official.
This trend aligns seamlessly with the fundamental objectives of Vision 2030, he said.
Earlier this month, Bryan Marsal, A&M’s CEO and co-founder, commented on the close alignment of his firm’s global brand with the local market dynamic in Saudi Arabia, following the establishment of the regional HQ.
“The all-encompassing nature of the Saudi Arabian transformation is driving significant demand for A&M’s distinctive ‘get-stuff-done’ brand of services — for our ability to fix problems, our ‘skin in the game,’ and our freedom from audit conflicts,” he said in a statement.
Dervin highlighted A&M’s unique position in influencing the restructuring landscape, particularly its expertise in corporate rescue, turnaround, and performance improvement, which are virtually unparalleled in the region.
Aligned with Vision 2030, A&M is committed to supporting Saudi youth employment programs, exemplified by initiatives like the Bidayah Graduate Program.
Dervin expressed pride in the program, stating: “We are obviously extremely proud of the Bidayah program, which is a pioneering initiative for A&M from a youth development perspective.”
He added: “We have designed and implemented a bespoke graduate training program providing these exceptional individuals with rotating roles across the business, hopefully providing them with a breadth of experience and visibility of the options and opportunities within our firm and in the market more broadly.”
The managing director said that the company is hoping to play a meaningful part in the personal and career development of young Saudis, “who themselves have a vital role to play in the development of the economy and society in the Kingdom.”
Looking ahead, A&M aims to further empower Saudi graduates through partnerships with local universities and educational institutions.
“Our objective is to empower new graduates, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful career. More details of these partnerships, and its potential to contribute to the development of the next generation of Saudi business leaders, will be shared closer to the next intake,” affirmed Dervin.
As A&M continues to expand its footprint in Saudi Arabia, Dervin emphasized the crucial role of young Saudi professionals in driving the company’s growth and success.
“Much like the Kingdom itself, we cannot be truly successful without young Saudi professionals playing their part in our development, as we look forward to a bright future for our growing Saudi Arabian office,” he concluded.
More than 180 major global companies and organizations have already established regional headquarters in the Saudi capital. These include Apple, Microsoft, and Alibaba, as well as the IMF, IBM, and Google.
Saudi Arabia’s localization plan is reshaping consultancy sector - and more beyond
Plan a huge opportunity for Saudi Arabia to boost local jobs and reduce its reliance on foreign workers
Updated 19 May 2024
Reem Walid
RIYADH: As Saudi Arabia embarks on a journey aimed at boosting job opportunities for citizens, the localization plan for consultancy professions and businesses plays a crucial role.
In October 2022, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a decision mandating that from the end of March 2024, 40 percent of workers in firms in this sector must be Saudi nationals.
The decision targeted all professions in the sector, most notably financial advisory specialists, business advisers, and cybersecurity advisory specialists, as well as project management managers, engineers, and specialists.
This targeted localization, or Saudization, is part of the cooperation between the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and supervising bodies, represented by the Ministry of Finance, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority, the Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority, and the Human Resources Development Fund.
The collaboration aims to elevate the presence of cadres in the sector and boost the percentage of Saudis, contributing to the development of local content in this strategic sector. It also seeks to organize the labor market.
The ministry is meant to support private sector establishments in several ways, including helping them in hiring Saudis by supporting the training and qualification of employees, as well as supporting employment procedures and other initiatives.
On a similar note, the Local Content and Government Procurement Authority is required to follow up on the commitment to include Saudization requirements in consulting contracts.
It has also issued a guide that clarifies the details of localizing the consultancy sector and professions, and the mechanism of implementing it.
Reshaping the consultancy sector
Azeem Zainulbhai, co-founder and chief product officer at talent-on-demand platform Outsized, believes the Saudization rules in the sector will help keep more money in the Kingdom, even though training costs could increase.
“This move means less reliance on experts from abroad in key fields like finance, project management and cybersecurity. Essentially, it’s about creating more jobs for Saudis in important, well-paying sectors and making sure they're trained for these roles,” he told Arab News.
“The end objective is to get better at handling projects and business dealings that are specific to Saudi culture and regulations, stimulate private sector growth, and foster a knowledge-based economy ultimately making companies more efficient and competitive globally,” the co-founder emphasized.
Bashar El-Jawharim, consulting partner at PwC Middle East, also stated that the localization plan initiated by Saudi Arabia marks a significant milestone in reshaping the consulting sector within the Kingdom.
Azeem Zainulbha, Co-founder and chief product officer at Outsized
“With the launch of the second phase, we anticipate several key transformations that will contribute to the development and empowerment of local talent,” El-Jawhari told Arab News.
“Firstly, as young Saudi professionals enter the workforce, we expect a notable increase in demand for consulting services related to project and transformation management, financial and legal advisory, as well as procurement and supply chain management,” he added.
By having more Saudis in consulting, businesses can better navigate local market dynamics and regulations.
Azeem Zainulbha, Co-founder and chief product officer at Outsized
The consulting partner went on to note that the influx of senior Saudi talent into the consulting industry presents an opportunity for firms to leverage their experience and insights to drive business growth.
Sectors to be affected
The localization push of course expands beyond the consultancy sector, Zainulbhai noted.
“Tourism and hospitality can really use local insights to attract more visitors and celebrate Saudi culture. Major construction and engineering projects, like the NEOM and the Red Sea Project, will also benefit from having local experts who understand the specific requirements and standards needed,” he said.
The Outsized executive also shed light on the fact that the healthcare, IT, cybersecurity, and renewable energy sectors are all set to improve with more local consultants who bring a deep understanding of regional needs and regulations.
“Local financial experts will be key in adapting to Saudi Arabia’s unique market, especially as it continues to grow and change,” Zainulbhai commented.
Overall, sectors essential to the diversification from oil will see substantial growth and development from this localization.
“When looking at various sectors, certain areas are poised to benefit more prominently than others. For example, the government and public sectors are likely the first to benefit in light of the transformation journey towards Vision 2030,” El-Jawhari affirmed.
The consulting partner explained that as Saudi Arabia continues its journey toward achieving the ambitious goals outlined in Vision 2030, there is a growing emphasis on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of government operations.
“Consulting services play a vital role in supporting this transformation by providing strategic guidance and expertise in areas such as organizational restructuring, process optimization, and performance management,” El-Jawhari commented.
He added: “Furthermore, nationals equipped with experience in operational excellence are well-positioned to contribute to these efforts by implementing measures aimed at optimizing operational processes, reducing costs, and enhancing productivity.”
Potential opportunities
The plan is a huge opportunity for Saudi Arabia to boost local jobs and reduce its reliance on foreign workers, which aligns perfectly with the broader Vision 2030 goals.
“By having more Saudis in consulting, businesses can better navigate local market dynamics and regulations,” added Zainulbhai.
He continued to underscore that local consultants can offer insights that make companies more competitive, especially in sectors where understanding local consumer behavior is crucial.
He also clarified that businesses that follow these new hiring rules may find it easier to onboard government clients.
“The focus on local talent is also great for fostering innovation and could help companies set up successful programs to nurture new ideas in fields like digital tech and sustainability,” Zainulbhai explained.
From El-Jawhari’s point of view, the localization plan presents opportunities for Saudi nationals to enter the consulting profession, contributing to the development of a vibrant knowledge-based economy.
Potential challenges
While there are many benefits, the plan also brings several challenges. According to Zainulbhai, those include filling talent gaps, adjusting to cultural shifts, and meeting new regulatory standards.
“To tackle these, businesses could set up mentorship programs where seasoned international consultants train up-and-coming Saudi professionals. Setting up special training centers to quickly upskill workers could also help,” the co-founder described.
Bashar El-Jawhari, Consulting partner at PwC Middle East
“There might be some resistance to these changes within companies, so promoting a culture that values diverse perspectives will be important,” he added.
Zainulbhai also believes that consulting with local legal experts will be crucial to stay on top of new regulations.
We anticipate several key transformations that will contribute to the development and empowerment of local talent.
Bashar El-Jawhari, Consulting partner at PwC Middle East
“Although initial costs might be high, businesses can look into government subsidies or focus on tech solutions to reduce long-term expenses and increase efficiency,” he said.
From PwC’s perspective, El-Jawhari said that the availability of fresh, well-educated Saudi graduates provides consulting firms access to junior talent.
“The challenge lies in retaining them beyond the first 4 to 5 years. Government and semi-government entities begin to recruit these nationals, who have gained experience in international consulting firms, to join their workforce,” he stressed.
The consulting partner went on to explain that another challenge is attracting mid-career Saudi consultants who are in high demand and short supply.
“The third challenge is distinct specialties. For example, with the strong drive toward diversifying the economy, there is a need for consulting experience across sectors such as industrial, defense, tourism and culture, sports, and entertainment, supported by international experience,” El-Jawhari revealed.
He further disclosed: “Overall, finding Saudi talent in relatively new sectors of the economy is quite challenging.”
“To expand the pool of mid-career Saudis, a program between government entities and consulting firms could be established. The program could include seconding talented mid-career Saudis into consulting firms for 1 to 2 years,” El-Jawhari clarified.
He wrapped up with this regard saying that this gives consulting firms access to mid-career Saudi talent and in return, government entities gain a mid-career professional equipped with consulting experience.
Vision 2030 implications
Undoubtedly, this plan provides a key piece of the bigger Vision 2030 puzzle, which aims to diversify the economy beyond oil and boost public services like health and education.
“By increasing Saudi involvement in consulting, the plan helps keep more money in the country and creates high-value jobs that are crucial for modernizing the economy,” Zainulbhai said.
The co-founder also mentioned that it also focuses on upgrading the skills of the Saudi workforce, which is essential for innovation and sustained economic growth.
“More local consultants mean the private sector can grow stronger and more independent, making Saudi Arabia a more appealing place for investors and helping develop key sectors,” he concluded.
On the other side, El-Jawhari shed light on how two key outcomes of Vision 2030 are a thriving economy and a vibrant society.
“Pushing for a higher level of consulting localization will create higher-paid jobs for Saudi nationals, resulting in a more vibrant society that enjoys a higher quality of life,” the consulting partner reiterated.
“Additionally, local talent can provide the necessary expertise in specific consulting services to catalyze economic diversification,” he concluded.
