Finance Minister says has significant potential to contribute to Saudi Vision 2030
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has highlighted Pakistan’s “big potential” to support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, particularly through the export of skilled labor. Speaking at the Emerging Market Economies Conference in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, Aurangzeb shared his optimism about Pakistan’s role in the Kingdom’s efforts to reshape its economy.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a transformative plan aimed at reducing its dependency on oil and developing key sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, and tourism. With several ambitious projects already underway, the country’s need for skilled labor is on the rise, creating significant opportunities for Pakistan.
Aurangzeb told Arab News that there’s great potential for Pakistan to contribute, especially in skilled labor. He noted, “There are a number of opportunities for the two countries to work together, particularly as Saudi Arabia moves forward with its Vision 2030 projects.”
With over 2 million Pakistanis already living and working in Saudi Arabia, it is the largest source of remittances for Pakistan. While the majority of these workers are in blue-collar roles, there’s a growing demand for more specialized skills as the Kingdom modernizes.
To meet this need, the Pakistani government is working on new initiatives to train its youth. According to Rana Mujtaba, a spokesperson from the Ministry of Education and Professional Training, a new policy aims to provide technical skills to at least a million young people annually, preparing them for opportunities abroad, particularly in the Gulf.
In support of this, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has proposed collaborating with Pakistan to offer training programs that equip youth with the modern, relevant skills needed in Saudi Arabia’s evolving job market. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office confirmed that this partnership is gaining traction.
The growing collaboration between the two nations has the potential to benefit both, helping Saudi Arabia meet its ambitious goals while providing economic opportunities for skilled Pakistanis looking to work abroad.
