According to Bader Abdul Mohsin Aljeaan, human resources and public relations administrator at Samsung Engineering Saudi Arabia, the company was recognized for its corporate social responsibility initiative to recruit, educate and train Saudi engineers at the company’s new multimillion-riyal engineering center in Jubail called Samsung Naffora Techno Valley.

The high-tech facilities also include a safety training center, which provides workers various simulations on how to prevent or react safely to accidents on site.

Samsung Naffora Techno Valley was funded, developed and constructed by Samsung Engineering with an investment of SR375 million and was officially opened in May 2011, at a time when Saudi government officials have highlighted the growing unemployment rate and urged private companies to take part in transferring knowledge to its youth in the region.

By December, Samsung Engineering increased its Saudi employees to 250 from 180 since the pledge in May to increase employment of Saudi nationals.

In addition, 25 Saudi engineers are currently taking part in an intensive engineering hands-on training program at Samsung Engineering headquarters in Seoul, South Korea.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Gunther Pergher, general manager at Samsung Engineering Abu Dhabi office, said: “We are pleased to be recognized for our Saudization efforts, and we hope to further expand our CSR initiatives throughout the Middle East.”

Since 1999, Samsung Engineering has successfully completed 13 large-scale projects in Saudi Arabia.

In 2011, the company was awarded approximately US$4.6 billion in new orders in the Kingdom including the Shaybah Natural Gas Liquid Project, Wasit Power Plant from Saudi Aramco and Ma’aden aluminum complex.