The Indian community, with its many highly skilled workers, can help create jobs for new Saudi graduates, said Talmiz Ahmad, the Indian Ambassador. In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Ahmad said he welcomed Nitaqat, the labor ministry's newly introduced Saudization program. “I warmly welcome the initiative being taken by the government of Saudi Arabia to boost the employment prospects of young Saudi nationals in the country's private sector,” he said. The Saudi youth are extremely well-qualified and eager to make their contribution to the development of their country, said Ahmad. However, he said academic qualifications are not enough. “Very often academic studies don't readily equip us for employment in the business sector for which special training is required. There are new challenges that have emerged in the realization of a knowledge society, which requires familiarization with state-of-the-art technology,” said the envoy. Indians will work “shoulder-to-shoulder” with Saudi nationals, he said. “I understand that the new regulations to nationalize the job market will not adversely affect the expatriate community, since the Saudi economy is expanding rapidly in all sectors and will continue to need qualified foreign workers,” he said. He said India, as a partner and friend of the Kingdom, is expecting to play a major role in contributing to the diversification of the Kingdom's economy through investment and joint ventures, which will provide employment to a large number of Saudis. In this regard, he said India will not only provide access to the latest technology but will also organize training programs so that young people can make an effective contribution in the business sector. Indian expatriates have made major contributions to the development of modern Saudi Arabia over the last 40 years, he said. About two million Indians, known for their discipline and work ethic, are currently working and contributing to the development of the Kingdom's various economic sectors, he added. __
