SCA Launches Second International Contracting Conference 2021

His Excellency Majed bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, inaugurated the second virtual International Contracting Conference and Exhibition. Organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), the three-day event ran from September 26 to 28, 2021.

The conference provides a platform for learning, exchanging expertise and exploring opportunities for major projects through expert lectures, research discussions and international activities. More than 32 local and international speakers participated.

More than 28 organizations took part in the conference and its sessions. Participants included the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the State Properties General Authority, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, the Etimad platform, and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority.

Sessions covered three main themes: regulations, legislation and business qualification; best practices in business and project management; and the impact of technology on contracting. They also highlighted leading international experiences in these areas.

The Minister also launched a range of SCA services designed to support and develop the Kingdom’s contracting sector. These included advisory services, contractor ratings and a construction supervisor search service.

The advisory services provide guidance to individuals, small and medium-sized businesses, and project owners through an integrated online platform. The platform saves time and effort by connecting users with experts in management, technical disciplines and construction.

The contractor rating service promotes transparency and competitiveness by enabling project owners to assess contractors’ performance.

The construction supervisor search service connects project owners with supervisors. It allows supervisors to showcase their experience and skills on a unified platform where project owners can find and evaluate them.

These services are available through the Muqawil platform.

The ceremony also included the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding. An agreement with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation supports cooperation in training and development under the applicable regulations, alongside the exchange of advisory services, research findings, and management expertise and knowledge.

SCA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to identify and address challenges and obstacles facing contractors.

A memorandum of understanding with Saudi Electricity Company aims to encourage contractors to participate in its projects and introduce them to available investment and contracting opportunities.

SCA also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration to develop and improve model dispute resolution clauses and promote their use across the contracting sector. The agreement also covers technical support and the exchange of expertise.

A memorandum of understanding with the National Industrial Training Institute (NITI) supports the provision of technical and management advice through SCA’s advisory services platform. It also establishes cooperation on initiatives to address challenges facing the sector.

The Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with the Leading National Academy (LNA) to train and develop women in technical, technological and administrative professions. The agreement includes training and educational programs and professional certifications for women working in, or seeking to join, the contracting sector.

Another memorandum of understanding, signed with the National Training Center for Facilities and Hospitality Management (FHM), supports specialized consultancy in facilities and hospitality management. It also covers technical and management advisory services for contractors and other interested parties through the advisory services platform.

These efforts support Saudi Vision 2030’s plans, programs and objectives, which have driven growth in residential and non-residential construction, increased investment in entertainment and tourism, and strengthened demand for urban expansion and housing development.

Construction is the Kingdom’s second-largest non-oil sector, with contracting forming a fundamental part of the industry.

Against this backdrop, SCA aims to make the International Contracting Conference and Exhibition a comprehensive platform for engaging with industry leaders and decision-makers, and a leading event for the contracting sector in Saudi Arabia.