RIYADH: The Global Project Management Forum held here recently highlighted the latest innovations in the profession with applications in various industries including construction, which promised savings in time and money, and the creation of jobs.
The event brought together key stakeholders and experts, and was organized for the second time by Saudi Arabia’s Project Management Institute, or PMI, on June 12 and 13. The event included several activities including executive workshops and exhibitions.
Badr Burshaid, founder and president of the Global Project Management Forum, said during his speech that it was an opportunity for “networking, knowledge-sharing, and professional growth. At GPF, we recognize the critical role that knowledge and certification play in achieving successful project management.”
The significant projects underway in Saudi Arabia have attracted considerable investments that would eventually boost the local economy, Burshaid said.
Peter Park, co-founder and CEO of Angelswing, a Korean drone-data company that provides a digital twin platform for construction sites, told Arab News how the forum connects customers with world-class expertise.
“The forum is opening up doors to the companies who have technology … like us, to digitize your job site … to bring that technology to Saudi Arabia (that is) safe, environmentally friendly, as well as efficient,” he said.
Local investors and business owners also took advantage of the PMI initiative this year by participating and networking with organizations.
Artificial intelligence was also present at the forum. (AN photo by Huda Bashatah)
Dr. Hassan Al-Balawi, CEO and founder of WakeCap, that specializes in the contracting sector by providing wearable technologies to manage projects, said: “We aimed to speak with project managers and top leaders, as the forum summed up many things for us. At the same time, the challenge for us was to reach the right people, (and) the forum greatly facilitated this task, too.”
Also in attendance was South Korean Ambassador Park Joon-Yong, who said the event further strengthened ties between the two countries. “Project management is a very important part of the construction (industry) and we can explain it in the economic development of Saudi Arabia. So, it (has) a lot of significance.”
“This forum invited so many people, not only from Saudi Arabia but also from other countries including the Republic of Korea. So, I am very happy to see them very eagerly participating in this forum … contributing to renovating or upgrading project management, and as you know, a lot of mega projects are going on.”
Dr. Saudi bin Jubair, a consultant in strategic and project management, with 14 years of experience, was one of the speakers at the forum.
“Establishing global and regional forums as well as hosting them in the Kingdom is directly related to the goals of the (Vision 2030) because through these conferences work is done on a lot of partnerships, contracts, and investment and economic agreements.”
This eventually leads to an increase in the country’s gross domestic product and the creation of “great job opportunities,” he said.
