Top General Motors Executive to speak At US-Arab Economic Forum

General Motors is a Synergy sponsor of this year's Forum.

In her keynote address, Kempston Darkes will discuss the role that multinationals like General Motors play in bridging cultural differences and developing local talent in the region. She will also highlight General Motors and dealer investments in human resource development and GM's support of the localization of jobs, together with processes and systems such as validation and testing.

"Our heritage in the region dates back over eighty years and signifies our commitment to the region as a hub for future employment growth and the development of local talent," said Stevan Koch, Vice President General Motors Latin America, Africa and Middle East. "As such, General Motors' plans and strategies for the future will have a strong focus on the development of human resources capital in the Middle East."

Since 2001, General Motors has invested US$10.4 million in training and development in the Middle East. The automotive giant has shown its ongoing commitment to the development of local talent in the region, having recruited and trained nationals in all countries in which it operates.

A technical training facility was opened last year in Riyadh in partnership with the General Organization for Technical and Vocational Training (GOTEVT), aimed at training and developing young Saudi Arabian Nationals in the automotive field. This initiative has already resulted in the first GM training programme at which eighty young Saudis were recruited by GM dealers after completing their training on technical and service subjects. A similar programme is being undertaken in the UAE with Dubai Men's College.

"We are one of the biggest investors in the region, creating wealth, opportunity and employment. We have invested US$63 million in an impressive new parts distribution centre located in Dubai to support our dealers and meet customers' needs,"

continued Koch. "GM was the first manufacturer to set up a regional office and still has the largest Middle East presence of any international automobile company. A total of 130 employees, representing 32 nationalities, are based at the Regional Office in Dubai, all dedicated to ensuring that dealers and customers enjoy the best possible experience in their relationships with GM."

The US-Arab Economic Forum aims to strengthen US and Arab relations by bringing together key corporate leaders and policy-makers from various industries. The forum takes place every two years, and has become an excellent opportunity for exploring ways of enhancing human resource development and creating shared business prospects across the region.