The Pakistan Overseas Employment Corporation (POEC) and NESMA & Partners, a leading contracting company in Saudi Arabia, have signed an agreement to export manpower to the Kingdom, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis said on Thursday.
The development came after a meeting between Jawad Sohrab Malik, special assistant to the Pakistan prime minister, and NESMA & Partners CEO, Samer Essam Abdul Samad.
The “landmark” agreement between the POEC and NESMA & Partners will allow the export of skilled Pakistani labor to Saudi Arabia, specifically for ongoing and upcoming projects of NESMA, which specializes in construction.
The Kingdom is home to the largest number of Pakistani expats, over two million, and is the biggest contributor to remittance inflows into the South Asian nation.
“The agreement marks a pivotal collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, paving the way for the export of a substantial Pakistani workforce to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious infrastructure and development goals,” the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis said in a statement.
“NESMA & Partners, as the leading construction company in Saudi Arabia, holds responsibility for numerous mega-projects within the kingdom. This agreement will provide Pakistani workers with the opportunity to showcase their expertise and contribute to the success of these critical infrastructure projects.”
The development came during Malik’s first visit to Saudi Arabia with an aim to foster collaboration and exploring employment opportunities for Pakistani workforce in the Kingdom.
During his meeting with the NESMA CEO, the Pakistan PM’s aide expressed his “sincere appreciation and gratitude” for the Saudi firm’s commitment to hiring Pakistani workers, according to the statement.