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GAMI Establishes Human Capital Roadmap in Saudi Military Industries

GAMI announces the human capital strategy for local military industries sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GAMI announces the human capital strategy for local military industries sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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GAMI Establishes Human Capital Roadmap in Saudi Military Industries

GAMI announces the human capital strategy for local military industries sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GAMI announces the human capital strategy for local military industries sector. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) launched the human capital strategy for the local military industries sector.

Saudi ministers stressed the importance of localizing the military sector to enhance skills and support the development system through the required policies and regulations.

The ministers indicated that GAMI has a clear strategy regarding distinguished human resources and reliance on national cadres targeting 50 percent localization of national military spending by 2030.

The officials attended the launch of the human capital strategy for the local military industries sector, stressing the need to bridge the gaps and needs of the labor market in the Kingdom in many areas, namely the military and defense industries.

The strategy contributes to bridging the gap between the skills required in the sector and the outputs of university education and technical and vocational training, focusing on more than 800 required skills, resulting in 30,000 technicians, 25,000 services jobs and 12,000 engineers.

Investment strategy

Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih stressed the importance of the partnership between the public and private sectors in education and training, noting that they help achieve spending efficiency and promote a flexible mechanism in line with the labor market requirements.

Falih said that the national investment strategy has several initiatives that enable competitiveness and investment development, indicating that the ministry's role lies in linking all parties, providing capabilities and attracting investors.

"The localization rate in the military industries sector is promising and rising," he said.

Labor market

For his part, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) Ahmad al-Rajhi stated that GAMI developed the human capital strategy, coupled with complementary plans to localize the sector.

Rajhi revealed that over 1.9 million citizens work in the private sector, proving that national cadres have succeeded in the economy.

The minister also indicated that 400,000 Saudis joined the labor market in 2021, describing it as a historical number that reflects the strong desire to accelerate the economy and participate in Vision 2030.

"We can bet on the Saudi young people after they showed their ability to bear responsibility and succeeded in all sectors, including the banking, petrochemicals, services, trade, and contracting," Rajhi said, pointing out that the ministry launched 32 Saudization decisions in 2021.

Industrial system

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef announced that the sector's new strategy would focus on increasing locally sourced inputs and adopting 4IR technologies.

He stressed that the two pillars guarantee a competitive and sustainable industrial line at the local and global levels.

GAMI is making significant efforts to create opportunities in the sector, creating a globally competitive industrial sector by converting 4,000 factories to use fourth industrial revolution technology.

Alkhorayef explained that his ministry responds to the directions of the government and issues monthly reports on human capital data in the industrial sector.

The ministry created over 39,000 job opportunities during 2020 and doubled that number to reach 77,000 jobs in 2021.

Human capital strategy

GAMI launched the human capital strategy for the local military industries sector at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh, with several ministers and officials from the government and private sectors.

GAMI Governor Ahmed al-Ohali said the Kingdom is moving towards the localization of this promising sector, aiming to reach more than 50 percent of government spending on military equipment and services by 2030.

The plan aims to develop industries, research, technologies, and national competencies and provide job opportunities for Saudi youth, increasing the sector's contribution to the national economy.

He indicated that the strategy aims to establish a stimulating system for the development of human cadres to ensure their readiness to achieve the Saudization goals of the sector.

"It is based on the strategy for localizing industries and research in the military industry sector to ensure the readiness and sustainability of people eligible to achieve the objectives of the sector localization," the GAMI governor said.

The human capital strategy aims to enable and build a stimulating system for the development and empowerment of human cadres. It will ensure the readiness and sustainability of qualified forces to localize the sector by developing three main programs represented in educational and training programs.

He pointed out that the strategy aims to empower Saudi workforces by developing training programs and establishing a national academy that focuses on more than 800 skills required in the sector, from 172 job fields.

Ohali added that the strategy's programs included many initiatives, such as the new national military academy to address the skills gap in the industry, with the support and empowerment of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation and the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF).

Partnership system

Three dialogue sessions were held during the launch of the human capital strategy for the military and defense industry sector in the Kingdom with ministers, senior officials, and specialists of human resources.

The event began with a ministerial discussion entitled "The Role of the National System in Empowering Human Capital in the Military and Defense Industries to Achieve the Objectives of Vision 2030."

It was attended by ministers of investment, industry and mineral resources, and human resources and social development.

The session addressed investment opportunities and reforms necessary to ensure the establishment of qualitative and effective partnerships and to bridge the gaps and needs of the labor market in the Kingdom.

The ministers stressed the importance of preparing future generations to enter the labor market.

The second session, "The Role of the Military and Defense Industries in Creating Diversified Career Paths," addressed the development and empowerment of the human element.

They discussed their impact on human resources in developing and empowering and developing talents, skills, and expertise through specialized technical and professional training programs.

The session was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Education and Training Evaluation Commission Khaled al-Sabti, Chief of Staff First Lieutenant-General Fayyad al-Ruwaili, Governor of GAMI, and Governor of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation Ahmed al-Fahid.

The development

The ceremony concluded with the third session: "The Role of Education and Training in Developing, Empowering, and Preparing Human Capital for the Military and Defense Industries."

The attendees discussed the importance of the human resources strategy project in advancing the sector's development by aligning the outputs and programs of educational institutions with the needs.

They also addressed forming partnerships with other key industries, aiming to develop qualified human capital to lead the future of this sector.

The session was attended by President of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Mohammad al-Saqqaf, General Manager of the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf) Turki al-Jawini, CEO of the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) Walid Abu Khaled, and CEO of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia Ltd. Joseph Rank.

Agreements and partnerships

On the sidelines of the ceremony, several memoranda of understanding (MoU) relating to the development and empowerment of human capital in the military and defense industries sector were announced between GAMI, the Ministry of Investment, and the UK-based Cranfield University.

GAMI also signed an MoU with Leonardo Company to create and develop investment opportunities in education and train specialized military industries.

The MoU establishes cooperation to identify and develop institutional and academic partnerships in the Kingdom, develop some programs and graduation projects, and launch short and long courses relating to the sector's needs.

It also creates opportunities for university educational scholarships in the military, defense, and security industries.

The MoU calls for cooperation in basic and applied scientific research and creates majors in the military and defense industries with educational and training authorities.

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Fitch Affirms ‘AA’ Credit Rating for Qatar

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Fitch Affirms ‘AA’ Credit Rating for Qatar

As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)
As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 (Reuters)

Fitch Ratings affirmed Qatar's long-term foreign-currency rating at "AA" and a "stable" outlook on Friday, saying its strong balance sheet and plans to sharply increase LNG output should help cushion the impact of the escalating Middle East conflict.

The US-Israel war with Iran has disrupted shipments from the world's most important oil artery, the Strait of Hormuz, which is responsible for 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supply.

The impact on LNG exports is likely ⁠to widen Qatar's ⁠fiscal deficit in 2026, contingent on how long the conflict lasts, but the country should be able to more easily tap debt markets or draw on its sovereign wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which has built up ⁠assets over decades of investing at home and globally.

Fitch said it assumes the conflict would last less than a month and the strait would remain closed during that period, with no major damage to regional hydrocarbon infrastructure. Under its baseline scenario, the agency expects Brent crude to average $70 a barrel in 2026.

As LNG production increases, Fitch projects the general government budget surplus will rise ⁠to ⁠4.1% of GDP in 2027 and exceed 7% by 2030. Excluding investment income, the budget is expected to return to surplus from 2027, with most excess revenue likely to be transferred to QIA for overseas investment.

The agency expects Qatar to meet its 2026 funding needs through a combination of central bank overdrafts, domestic and international market borrowing, and drawdowns on the finance ministry's deposits in the banking sector.

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Trump Seeks to Close $1.6 trillion Revenue Gap with Raft of New Tariffs

US President Donald Trump speaks before signing the "Genius Act", which will develop regulatory framework for stablecoin cryptocurrencies and expand oversight of the industry, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
US President Donald Trump speaks before signing the "Genius Act", which will develop regulatory framework for stablecoin cryptocurrencies and expand oversight of the industry, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
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Trump Seeks to Close $1.6 trillion Revenue Gap with Raft of New Tariffs

US President Donald Trump speaks before signing the "Genius Act", which will develop regulatory framework for stablecoin cryptocurrencies and expand oversight of the industry, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
US President Donald Trump speaks before signing the "Genius Act", which will develop regulatory framework for stablecoin cryptocurrencies and expand oversight of the industry, at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 18, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

The Trump administration this week stepped up its ambitious effort to replace about $1.6 trillion in lost tariff revenue that was eliminated by the Supreme Court's decision to strike down a range of the president's import taxes.

Recovering that lost revenue, which the White House was counting on to help offset the steep, multi-trillion dollar cost of its tax cuts, is possible but will be challenging, experts say. The administration has to use different legal provisions to impose new duties, and those provisions require longer, complex processes that US companies can use to seek exemptions. It could be months or more before it is clear how much revenue the replacement tariffs will yield.

“I wouldn't bet against this administration being able to get back on paper the same effective tariff rate they had before," said Elena Patel, co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center. But the new approach will “make it easier for people to contest the tariffs, which is going to put a big asterisk on the revenue until all that is settled.”

On Wednesday, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the administration will investigate 16 economies — including the European Union — over whether their governments are subsidizing excessive factory capacity in a way that disadvantages US manufacturing. The investigation will also cover China, South Korea, and Japan, Greer said.

In addition, he said there would be a second investigation of dozens of countries to see if their failure to ban goods made by forced labor amounts to an unfair trade practice that harms the United States. That investigation will also cover the EU and China, as well as Mexico, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.

Both investigations are being conducted under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which requires the administration to consult with the targeted countries, as well as hold public hearings and allow affected US industries to comment. A hearing as part of the factory capacity investigation will be held May 5, while a hearing on the forced labor investigation will occur April 28.

It's a far cry from the emergency law that President Donald Trump relied on in his first year in office, which allowed him to immediately impose tariffs on any country, at nearly any level, simply by issuing an executive order.

Moments after the Supreme Court's ruling, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all imports under a separate legal authority, but that duty can only last for 150 days. The president has said he would raise it to 15%, the maximum allowed, but has yet to do so. Some two dozen states have already challenged the new tariffs. The administration is aiming to complete its Section 301 investigations before the 10% duties expire.

The effort underscores the importance that the Trump White House has placed on tariffs as a revenue-raiser at a time when the federal government is facing huge annual budget deficits for decades into the future. Previous administrations, by contrast, used tariffs more sparingly to narrowly protect specific industries.

Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the Tax Foundation, noted that the first investigation covers roughly 70% of imports, while the second would cover nearly all of them.

“That breadth suggests the goal isn’t to address the issues at hand, but instead to recreate a sweeping tariff tool,” she said, The AP news reported.

Trump sees tariffs as a way to force foreign countries to essentially help pay the cost of US government services, even though all recent economic studies find that American companies and consumers are paying the duties, including ones from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and economists at Harvard University. In his state of the union address last month, Trump even touted his tariffs as a potential replacement for the income tax, which would return the United States’ tax regime to the late 19th century.

Trump also wants tariffs to help pay for the tax cuts he extended in key legislation last year. The tax cut legislation is expected, according to the most recent estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, to add $4.7 trillion to the national debt over a decade, while all Trump's duties, including ones not struck down by the court, were projected to offset about $3 trillion — or two-thirds of that cost.

The court’s ruling Feb. 20 that he could no longer impose emergency tariffs eliminated about $1.6 trillion in expected revenue over the next decade, according to the CBO.

Some of Trump's tariffs remain place, including previous duties on China and Canada that were imposed after earlier 301 investigations. The administration has also slapped tariffs on some specific products, including steel, lumber, and cars. Those, combined with the 10% tariff for part of this year, should yield about $668 billion over the next decade, the Tax Foundation estimates.

“It’s going to take a really big patchwork of these other investigations to make up for the (lost) tariffs,” York said.

The administration's efforts are also unusual because they reflect an overreliance on tariffs to bring in more government revenue. Trump has also said the duties are intended to return manufacturing to the United States, and he has used them to leverage trade deals.

“What makes this really different,” said Kent Smetters, executive director of the Penn Wharton Budget Model, “it is really the first time tariffs have been mainly used as a revenue raiser.”

Patel, meanwhile, argues that raising revenue can be done more reliably and straightforwardly by Congress. Laws like Section 301 are traditionally intended to be used to address specific trade policy concerns in particular countries.

“It’s not supposed to be there to raise revenue,” she said. “If we want to raise revenue through tariffs, then Congress should impose a broad based tariff.”

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Japan, South Korea Say Ready to Act Against FX Volatility

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks on the day Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her policy speech in the parliament, in Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks on the day Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her policy speech in the parliament, in Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
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Japan, South Korea Say Ready to Act Against FX Volatility

FILE PHOTO: Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks on the day Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her policy speech in the parliament, in Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Japan's Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama speaks on the day Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivers her policy speech in the parliament, in Tokyo, Japan, February 20, 2026. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

Japan and South Korea expressed concern on Saturday about the rapid declines in their currencies, saying they were ready to act against excessive foreign-exchange volatility.

Finance Ministers Satsuki Katayama of Japan and Koo Yun-cheol of South Korea "expressed serious concern over the recent sharp depreciation of the Korean won and the Japanese yen," they said in a statement after their annual meeting in Tokyo.

The yen and won have slid as mounting tensions from the US-Israeli war on Iran have driven the dollar higher ⁠on safe-haven demand and ⁠battered the currencies of countries heavily reliant on imported oil.

"Furthermore, they reaffirmed that they will closely monitor foreign exchange markets and continue to take appropriate actions against excessive volatility and disorderly movements in exchange rates," the statement said.

The yen touched its lowest in 20 ⁠months on Friday and is near the line of 160.00 to the dollar that many in the market think might prompt Japan to intervene to support the currency. The won breached a psychological barrier of 1,500 per dollar this month for the first time since March 2009.

Tokyo and Seoul shared the view that significant volatility had emerged in financial markets, including foreign exchange, Katayama told a press conference after the meeting.

"The Japanese government ⁠is ⁠fully prepared to respond at any time, bearing in mind the impact that currency moves may have on people's livelihoods amid surging oil prices, and I believe both sides share that understanding," she said.

Katayama regularly says Japan is ready to act regarding yen moves, although some policymakers privately say that intervening to prop up the yen now could prove futile, as the flood of dollar demand will only intensify if the war persists.