Laura Bashraheel Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Housing, unemployment and cities infrastructure and the challenges the private and public sector are currently facing were some of the issues discussed on the first day of Jeddah Economic Forum, carrying the title “Housing the Growing Population”. The third session of the World Economic Forum, titled “A New Vision For Arab Employment” and moderated by Miroslav Dusek, Director, Head of Middle East and North Africa, World Economic Forum, Switzerland said that MENA region youth unemployment rate is 24 percent, which is considered high worldwide. The session discussed the creation job opportunities and the collaboration of the private and public sector and how they have to come together to create a better environment and attractive jobs in sectors such as retail. Mohammed Al-Shaya, executive chairman of Alshaya Group, Kuwait, said the retail industry is the largest industry to provide jobs in any economy. “It's an issue in Saudi Arabia due to low pay. We are trying to make it more attractive for job seekers,” Al-Shaya said. He also said that his company has collaborated with the Ministry of Labor to train employees in the retail sector by establishing a school that could teach 1,000 students over three to six months. “We understand the challenges for women and we are trying to make it easier and at the same time ensure job security,” he said. Ayman Maamoun Tamer, chairman and managing partner, Tamer Group, Saudi Arabia, said that unemployment is a concern for both the private and public sector. He said: “Both sectors have to work hand in hand to be able to reduce unemployment. “Unemployment is a global concern, and it's a threat to our economy, society and future businesses. “There is a mismatch between skills, competencies and business requirements of what academia is delivering and what the market is looking for today.” Tamar Group built academies in collaboration with the Human Resources Development Fund to train people to work in the pharmaceutical industry. Tamer added: “We need statistics to know what we lack in our future economy. “Women's participation and employment is a key to success in healthcare industries. “We have hired over 70 women and some of them have taken managerial positions.” Mohammed Mousli, believes that there is a lot more to be done. He said: “It's a holistic approach that everybody would play a role in. “Today we do look at the community at large. Career education that starts from schooling. Prepare kids for careers. We should also provide information. “A lot of segmentation studies are done on employment and job seekers and the same should be done for employers.” Mousli said their role is also to hunt for people who invest in human capital. The fourth session on sustainable future cities and making the most of technology discussed solar power, sustainable infrastructure technologies, water, roads and information technology. The session moderator Ad Buisman, head of real estate for Europe, Middle East, India and Africa at Ernst and Young, addressed the issue of poor infrastructure and the price the government and the consumer will pay to develop and sustain that city. Arnaud Montebourg, French Minister of Industrial Renewal, said a sustainable city is one that is able to sustain its energy, provide public infrastructure, has renewable energy and able to harness its energy. “A sustainable city is also a healthy city with clean drinking water and clean air. The new French government has put a plan in place for several cities to make them sustainable,” he said. Khaled Awad, founder of GRENEA and chairman of ACTS, UAE said: “Fifty percent of electricity in Saudi Arabia is used in houses. Each sector is working on a different silo, environment transportation and infrastructure. “Decentralizing heating and electricity is the solution. Saudi Arabia is experiencing a 10 percent increase in demand for electricity, so solutions should be found from all sectors.”
