Baker Hughes wins iktva Award from Saudi Aramco for ‘Best in Saudization’

Baker Hughes (NYSE: BKR), an energy technology company, having won the iktva award two times earlier in different categories, has won again Saudi Aramco’s in-Kingdom Total Value Add (iktva) Award for ‘Best in Saudization’ for its commitment to localization.

The iktva Award, presented during annual iktva Forum and Exhibition (iktva 2020) acknowledges the efforts of Saudi Aramco’s partners in consistently demonstrating excellence in local value creation. The award was presented by Saudi Aramco, to Baker Hughes, at iktva 2020, where the company is showcasing its extensive portfolio of local value-add services.

Zaher Ibrahim, VP, Saudi Arabia & North Gulf of Baker Hughes, said: “We are honored to be recognized with the iktva Award again, and this time in the ‘Best in Saudization’ category. This is a testament to our unwavering commitment to building a robust in-Kingdom value chain that supports the goals of Saudi Aramco to create more local content, create jobs, increase number of Saudi employees and boost the Kingdom’s overall energy sector. 

“Through our Saudi-focused initiatives, we help create the right job opportunities for Saudi professionals, drive gender diversity, promote technology transfer, and boost exports – in turn, contributing to the competitiveness of the Kingdom’s energy value chain. Only in 2019, we hired more than 500 Saudis and achieved ambitious target of 70% Saudization two years ahead of the plan. As the world’s first energy technology company, we will continue to bring advanced technology as well as leverage our long-term presence of over 80 years in the Kingdom to support Saudi Aramco and our local partners to create more value across the energy supply chain.”

To create a sustainable Saudi talent pipeline, develop their skills and capabilities, and promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace, Baker Hughes provides sponsorships to more than 100 Saudi students as well as welcomes 100 interns and co-op trainees every year. The company also offers a wide range of training programs for its employees enabling them to strengthen their professional skillsets. 

One of the other key localization initiatives by Baker Hughes includes a global digital hub in Dhahran Techno Valley, led by 34 Saudi women professionals. The state-of-the-art facility hosts groundbreaking technologies, including the first Industrial 3D metal printer in Saudi Arabia and a data visualization and automation platform to help simulate and optimize well activity and construction. Overall, Saudi female employees at Baker Hughes have been growing at 70% year-over-year, reaching 200 Saudi females in 2019, with 50% of them working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and manufacturing).