Riyadh is poised to be at the forefront of procurement and supply chain discussions as it prepares to welcome over 35 global experts at a prestigious conference. The CIPS MENA Conference and Excellence in Procurement Awards, organized by the Government Expenditure and Projects Efficiency Authority, is scheduled for May 16 at the Hilton Riyadh Hotel and Residences, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s role as a nucleus of procurement and supply chain know-how.
The conference agenda promises to delve into vital matters such as the development of resilient supply chains, enhancement of local content, and the advancement of industry localization. It will also explore the challenges facing current supply chains, digital transformation in procurement, and issues of corruption in public procurement processes.
Strengthening collaborations between the private and public sectors will be a focus, with the event targeting procurement and supply chain professionals, decision-makers, and technical system companies within these fields.
The event, which is expected to run from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm, also includes an awards ceremony that celebrates excellence in procurement and supply chain professions, as indicated on the conference’s official website.
The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), established in the UK and recognized as the largest organization for procurement and supply chain management with over 70,000 members globally, is the force behind the conference. Their commitment is to foster excellence in the procurement sector.
In October 2022, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled a strategic initiative to transform the Kingdom into a global supply chain hub. The Global Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (GSCRI) seeks to enhance the investment climate by offering enticing opportunities and substantial incentives, including a SR10 billion financial and non-financial incentives package.
The initiative’s initial phase aimed to draw approximately SR40 billion in industrial and service investments to Saudi Arabia, contributing to the Kingdom’s global supply chain influence.
The GSCRI is an integral part of the National Investment Strategy, launched in October 2021, with the ambition to establish Saudi Arabia as an optimal environment for supply chain investments. The initiative is expected to harness the Kingdom’s abundant natural resources and untapped potential, bolstering connections with both local and international markets.
Aligning with the Saudi Vision 2030, the initiative is crucial to the Kingdom’s aspiration to emerge as one of the top 15 global economies by 2030, focusing on economic expansion and diversification.
