Saudi Arabia accounts for 88% job growth in GCC petrochemicals sector

[sam.d...@gmail.com]

The Gulf petrochemicals sector added 34,564 jobs between 2010 and 2011, an increase of 11%, according to new research by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA). And 88% of the new positions went to Saudi nationals.
According to a new GPCA publication, GCC Petrochemicals & Chemicals Facts and Figures 2011, to be released at next week's 7th Annual GPCA Forum, the industry's total workforce stood at 79,255 last year, equivalent to 6% of all employees in the region's manufacturing sector. Nearly half of those jobs (44%) are accounted for by Gulf nationals.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, Secretary General of the GPCA, said: "These are encouraging developments showing the contribution petrochemicals and chemicals is making to the diversification of local industry and career development for the indigenous workforce. But more needs to be done to sustain growth through further innovation and training, and that will be a strong message at our upcoming annual forum."