Dana Aldrees

Saudi Arabia will raise the Saudization rate for private-sector project-management jobs to 70% by February 2027, covering managers, engineers and specialists at establishments with at least three such employees. The policy is intended to move beyond numerical hiring quotas toward skills-based localization as infrastructure, housing, tourism and construction projects expand. Experts say its success will depend on practical experience, knowledge transfer, training and the ability of Saudi professionals to deliver projects to global standards, while companies may face higher wages and restructuring costs. The measure is expected to create higher-value jobs and encourage investment in human capital without significantly deterring foreign investment.