Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has underscored Pakistan’s significant potential to export skilled labour to Saudi Arabia, which aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 development framework.
At the Emerging Market Economies Conference in AlUla, Aurangzeb emphasized the growing opportunities for Pakistan to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s economic transformation.
“We see great potential in exporting skilled labour from Pakistan, particularly in sectors crucial for the successful implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” said Aurangzeb. He added, “There are numerous opportunities for both nations to collaborate in areas where skilled workers are in high demand.”
The Growing Demand for Skilled Workers in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 seeks to diversify the country’s economy, reducing its dependency on oil while expanding sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, recreation, and tourism. This transformation is expected to generate an increased need for skilled labour, a gap Pakistan aims to fill.
#WATCH: #Pakistan sees significant export potential, particularly in providing skilled labor to support #SaudiVision2030, Pakistani Minister of Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb tells @arabnews on the sidelines of #AlUlaCEME2025https://t.co/KJgw5LbgQf pic.twitter.com/OGzv5lJXA2
— Arab News | Business (@ArabNewsBiz) February 16, 2025Currently, more than two million Pakistanis are employed in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s remittances. Although many Pakistanis work in blue-collar roles, the demand for skilled workers is expected to surge as Saudi Arabia modernizes its economy.
Pakistan’s Education and Professional Training Ministry is developing a new education policy to meet this growing demand. The goal is to train at least one million young individuals annually with the technical skills needed for employment in the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) has proposed a partnership with the Pakistani government to offer training programs designed to equip Pakistani youth with the modern skills required by the Saudi job market. This initiative, confirmed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s office, will play a key role in preparing Pakistan’s workforce for future opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
