PwC Middle East expands its operations in Saudi Arabia with the official inauguration of a new office in AlUla
February 15, 2022
The opening of PwC Middle East’s sixth office in Saudi Arabia is aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 ambitions and the RCU’s AlUla project
PwC Middle East’s institutionalised presence in AlUla will add to the region’s development as a business hub servicing the developments taking place across Northwest Saudi Arabia
The office in AlUla’s expanding urban zone will provide ongoing training as well as socio-economic opportunities and support for residents and companies
Feb 15, 2022: PwC Middle East has further cemented its commitment to driving the economic diversification of Saudi Arabia in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 through the official opening of its new office in AlUla.
The opening is another chapter in PwC Middle East’s 40-year legacy of supporting development projects in Saudi Arabia and its close partnership with the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU). The new office - PwC Middle East’s sixth in Saudi Arabia – is located in AlUla’s cultural oasis urban zone, giving PwC Middle East a firm presence in AlUla County and enabling it to service the many projects currently underway in Saudi’s northwest region while immersing its people in the region’s exciting growth, rich culture and heritage.
The RCU is rapidly moving ahead with ambitions to transform AlUla into a world-class destination as well as a thriving business hub for the kingdom’s wider northwest region, attracting a diverse range of global businesses to offer expertise and employment to the area’s population of more than 50,000 people. With a readily available workforce in place, AlUla represents an attractive location for companies looking to be part of AlUla’s expansive development.
RCU’s far-reaching economic diversification plans, which call upon PwC Middle East’s extensive expertise and knowledge, have already impacted the area positively with interest being generated from leading companies and investors as well as tourists eager to visit AlUla and its iconic heritage landmarks.
PwC’s office will be operated by a full-time team who will not only oversee the company’s commitments in AlUla, but also provide valuable training and upskilling opportunities to the local community; a key part of the RCU’s economic goals. Over 50 residents have already received training from PwC teams, with more opportunities to be provided in the future; ensuring that the new office’s impact is felt throughout the local community.
Hani Ashkar, PwC Middle East Senior Partner said: “Saudi Arabia has been a home for PwC Middle East for over 40 years, and we're proud to further expand our commitment to the Kingdom by launching our sixth office in the country, AlUla. Having an office in this thriving, nature-rich city will provide us with the opportunity to continue supporting and realising the next chapter of AlUla’s enduring legacy as one of the world’s leading sustainable tourism destinations.”
Amr AlMadani, CEO, RCU, said: “We are delighted PwC Middle East has institutionalised its presence in AlUla and are thrilled to welcome permanent and visiting members of their team to our community. The presence of globally renowned companies, such as PwC, in AlUla is central to our goal of transforming the area into a dynamic and thriving business hub that will attract global talent, provide opportunities for existing talent and boost the ongoing development of not just AlUla but the Kingdom’s greater northwest region. As more leading international companies base themselves in AlUla, residents will directly benefit from the opportunity to learn new skills and be part of the area’s exciting growth.”
Riyadh Al Najjar, PwC KSA Country Senior Leader & PwC Middle East Transformation Leader added: “We are proud to be among the first of what we believe will be many global networks and organisations to establish an office in AlUla. With its economic diversification gaining momentum year-on-year as the RCU’s strategic vision is realised, we have no doubt this is a great step forward, one that re-confirms our commitment to the Kingdom.”
Sameer Saleh, Transformation Management Unit - Government Sector Leader - PwC Middle East said: “Today, the RCU and PwC Middle East are working together on a wide range of projects and initiatives with the goal of turning AlUla into a vibrant, living museum that attracts global investors and tourists. Our new office emphasises the long-term nature of our partnership with the RCU and our shared goals to develop and reintroduce AlUla, and its incredible 200,000 years of history, to the whole world.”
A vibrant and naturally beautiful part of Saudi Arabia, AlUla County covers an area of more than 22,000 square km. It is home to the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hegra, as well as other sites of great global and historical importance such as Dadan, one of the most developed 1st-millennium BCE cities on the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, a mountain that contains more than 500 different Lythanite and early Arabic inscriptions.
Please find the “PwC Middle East opens its office in AlUla” launch video here.
About the Royal Commission for AlUla
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to preserve and develop AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU’s long-term plan outlines a responsible, sustainable, and sensitive approach to urban and economic development, that preserves the area’s natural and historic heritage, while establishing AlUla as a desirable location to live, work, and visit. This encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to meeting the economic diversification, local community empowerment, and heritage preservation priorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 programme.
To learn more about AlUla, visit https://www.rcu.gov.sa/en
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