Saudi Arabia Boosts Operational Excellence Across Sectors

Experts, both local and international, are emphasizing the significance of implementing operational excellence due to its pivotal role in enhancing the business sector.
This approach is deemed essential not only in various governmental and private entities but also in non-profit organizations.
Operational excellence is particularly crucial given the central role that digital transformation, along with the utilization of tools and artificial intelligence, plays in this realm.
The second edition of the Operational Excellence Conference (OPEXKSA) kicked off in Riyadh on Dec. 12.
The two-day conference was inaugurated by Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, the Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.
The event witnessed the participation of more than 40 governmental bodies and local and international companies.
With over 120 local and international speakers, the conference delves into key topics related to the future of operations through 20 discussion sessions, complemented by 20 workshops aiming to elevate operational methodologies across various sectors.
Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) Governor Eng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim, in his opening address at OPEXKSA, clarified that the rapid and evolving growth of the business sector in Saudi Arabia and globally necessitates discussions on operational methodologies aligned with the global transformation journey.
He highlighted that the application of operational excellence plays a fundamental role in enhancing businesses and elevating them to advanced competitive levels.
Moreover, Al-Abdul-Karim emphasized the urgent need for more creativity, innovation, and investment in operational aspects to enhance businesses across all sectors globally.
The governor noted that bringing together a select group of local and international experts in one place provides the opportunity for exchanging information, knowledge, and experiences.
This exchange enables the exploration of promising horizons and meets the goals and aspirations of service and industrial sectors, fostering resource and capability development.
Manal Almadi, SWCC Deputy Governor of Strategic Partnerships and Communication, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the operational excellence approach is one of the diverse working methodologies in the national transformation journey to achieve Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030.”
In turn, Sultan Al-Rajhi, the official SWCC spokesperson, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that the conference will witness the signing of more than 15 agreements.
“These agreements will focus on training and experience exchange among governmental, private, and academic sectors globally,” affirmed Al-Rajhi.
He explained that the majority of these agreements fall within the framework of operational excellence, aiming to reinforce and solidify this concept.
The agreements also cover training programs and other sectors.

The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) is "strongly dissatisfied" with anti-subsidy tariffs proposed by the European Union, the industry group said in a statement on Saturday.

Manufacturers had cooperated with the European Commission's investigation into Chinese subsidies, but the inquiry had ignored the facts and preselected results, CAAM said in a post on the Chinese messaging app WeChat, Reuters reported.

The EU imposed tariffs of up to 37.6% on imports of electric vehicles made in China from Friday, with a four-month window during which the tariffs are provisional with intensive talks expected between the two sides.

"CAAM deeply regrets this and holds it firmly unacceptable," it said.

The provisional duties of between 17.4% and 37.6% without backdating are designed to prevent what European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said is a threatened flood of cheap Chinese electric vehicles built with state subsidies.

The EU anti-subsidy investigation has nearly four months to run.

Saudi Arabia Boosts Operational Excellence Across Sectors