Dieter W. Haller (third from left), German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Ahmed Al-Faifi (fourth from left), Managing Director, SAP Saudi Arabia, pose for a group photo with other German officials and SAP executives. RIYADH – Dieter W. Haller, German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, met with Ahmed Al-Faifi, Managing Director, SAP Saudi Arabia, to discuss the rapidly-evolving technology landscape in the Kingdom, including its potential to empower youth and create jobs. Saudi Arabia is central to SAP's future and will feature heavily in the continued roll out of a four-year additional investment plan to up-skill local talent and drive sustainable innovation and growth across the Middle East and North Africa region. The plan includes recruiting more than 500 additional employees, opening several new offices and expanding the company's partner ecosystem and the SAP University Alliances program. Additionally, significant increases will be made in the availability of comprehensive, innovative and localized service offerings. SAP MENA has also established a dedicated Training and Development Institute that aims to certify 2,000 new consultants in the market within the next four years. This will triple the company's existing consulting capabilities in the region and further support the localization of SAP solutions to meet fast-growing regional industry needs. As a part of SAP's commitment to the Saudi job market, the company recently welcomed a group talented students and young professionals to its ambitious MENA Field Services- Young Professionals Program (YPP). The talented recruits began the two-year program at SAP's offices in Riyadh following an intensive selection process that entailed seeing off stiff competition from over 300 applications nominated by Saudi Arabia's top universities and employers. Ambassador Haller commended SAP's effort in training young Saudis and in creating additional jobs. “SAP is a German-based success story. It is one of our top blue chip companies. Its activities in the Kingdom are an important and welcome investment in further cementing the Saudi-German partnership,” Haller noted. – SG
