BETTER TOGETHER
TBY talks to Hassan Al-Qahtani, Chief Executive of Technical Development (TD), on the company's growth and the privatization of Saudi's construction sector as per Vision 2030.
BIOGRAPHY
Hassan Al-Qahtani is Chief Executive of TD and plays a key role in developing the strategic thinking and governance framework of the organization. He provides leadership for its long-term planning, business and leadership development, and capital planning.What was behind the creation of TD and how has the company evolved over the years?
Engineering has been my passion from an early age and it was the driving force for me to major in mechanical engineering. After my graduation from college I had the opportunity to work for major and reputable Saudi construction and maintenance companies, and during my employment I realized that there is an over whelming demand for energy due to the country expanding and accelerated increase in population; therefore, I was certain that electro-mechanical works was a profitable future business and I should plan for my future company accordingly. After thorough market research Technical Development was born in the spring of 2002 with a vision to specialize in electro-mechanical works with a leading role in the market; our mission, goals, and objectives were centered on our vision. The Saudi market is such a vast and complicated market; therefore; it was essential for our expertise to be comprehensively aligned with business demand and for us to be able to deal with our projects form the ground up. This gave us the opportunity to work with more experienced local and international partners on major government projects—the insulation of diesel generators and gas turbines for building, subways, and airports. This went on until the end of the 2015 fiscal year. 2015 was the pivotal year for the company, and with audacity the company established a reputation for high quality and precision. This success helped the company expand and gain more business ground. In 2015, Zahran Holding requested Technical Development to join Zahran Holding group of companies and after some difficult negotiations we believed it was not a hasty decision but rather it was a decision with prowess, and it was in our best business interests to join such a mammoth group of companies for it is in line with our long-term business plan.
Where do you see the current state of the local construction sector?
For the past 30 years the government has been the sole supplier of electrical power for all its citizens and in charge of all related aspects of power providing from infrastructure, power generators, power grids, and connectivity to the end user. This philosophy was working when the population was 7 million; now the game has changed and the population has increased dramatically. Now it is around 30 million and expected to reach 40-45 million in the next 10 to 15 years. These statistics alone made the decision makers think seriously that this current practice cannot go on forever for it is very a expansive market with vast areas to cover and far more complicated than ever. It was decided that the government should not be totally in charge or the sole provider of electricity. In 2013 the government made the decision to invite the private sector to join in as a partner with the aim to improve services, generate income, and open new business opportunities for the private sector and employment opportunities for young Saudi engineers and technicians. This government's business-oriented policy will eventually eliminate the long and bureaucratic government project budgeting process and award decision-making. This is all important for the private sector to be able to take the initiative and align itself with the new era. I am happy to say that we are currently ready to accommodate these new opportunities.
Regarding the government's Vision 2030, which aspect of the reforms will impact the industry and TD the most?
The 2030 country vision laid the groundwork for government project processes that are less bureaucratic and more transparent, in addition to the privatization of some sectors and agencies. The endless opportunities for private-sector involvement in infrastructure—roads, dams, power stations, airports and sea ports, hotels and resorts, railways, medical cities, and industrial cities—along with government partnerships will ensure the country has a bright and promising future.
BETTER TOGETHER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Column
YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei
TBY talks to YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, on the sector.
read articleReview
A Crude Awakening
The Kingdom has made renewables a critical aspect of its ambitious Vision 2030 effort to diversify its economy and wean itself from a strictly carbon-based diet, not to mention empower local businesses and individuals to take up the mantle and lead the energy sector into the next generation.
read articleInterview
Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) , Saudi Aramco,
TBY talks to Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) at Saudi Aramco, on the IKTVA program, supporting local content, and looking back over a successful year.
read articleInterview
Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO, Thiqah
TBY talks to Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO of Thiqah, on how the private sector can keep pace with the speed of public reforms, delivering a strong and lasting value proposition, and integrating the fruits of privatization into the public sector.
read articleFocus: Technology Investments
Investment Calling
A technological revolution is underway in the Kingdom. Already one of the most tech-savvy nations in the Middle East, the Saudi market has long sought a thriving domestic technology and innovation scene. And with Vision 2030, it is on course to deliver just that.
read articleReview
A Hejaz Unhindered
An ambitious series of road and rail projects from the Jordanian border down to the Indian Ocean are slated to open in part before the end of 2017. They bring the Kingdom that much nearer to its goal of greater non-carbon-based economic integration with the world.
read articleInterview
Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and Minister, Civil Service
TBY talks to Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and current Minister of Civil Service, on an attractive legislative framework for investment, railway linkages, and port developments.
read articleInterview
Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President, Public Transport Authority (PTA
TBY talks to Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President of Public Transport Authority (PTA) & Acting President of Saudi Railway Organization, on teaming up with commercially committed partners, making sure the Kingdom's land and sea bridges are of the first order, and providing employment for all the Kingdom's inhabitants.
read articleInterview
Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority, and Minister of Transport
TBY talks to Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, Minister of Transport, and President of Saudi Ports Authority, on optimally restricting concession agreements, resolving bottlenecks in the logistics chain, and privatizing as rapidly as possible.
read articleInterview
Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director , Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)
TBY talks to Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), on the importance of strong and rational regulations, knowledge transfers, and unifying public and private transportation networks.
read articleInterview
Imad El-Zein, CEO, Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia
TBY talks to Imad El-Zein, CEO of Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia, on growing market share in challenging circumstances, partnering with world-class players to boost its local presence, and combining better services with lower costs.
read articleInterview
Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS)
TBY talks to Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO of Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS), on maximizing safe and effective services, effectively increasing the rate of Saudization, and easing the pathway of women into the workforce.
read articleInterview
Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO, Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO of Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), on Jeddah's unplanned settlements, the company's redevelopment projects, and its partnership model with the private sector.
read articleInterview
Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister, Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office
TBY talks to Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister for Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office, on reforms within the Ministry of Health, the corporatization of healthcare provision, and transformations in care delivery.
read articleInterview
Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO, University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company
TBY talks to Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO of University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company, on the evolution of the company, education investments, and upcoming sectors that will need support from the sector.
read articleFocus: Universities
Broad and Deep
As part of the continuing decentralization of higher education in Saudi Arabia, individual universities are pursuing their own paths to grow their faculties, engage with various international stakeholders, and ultimately move toward a more privatized future.
read articleInterview
Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah, Yanbu Hotels
TBY talks to Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah/Yanbu Hotels & General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Jeddah, on the role the firm plays in the market, expanding its footprint in the country, and expectations for 2017.
read article