Engineers vetted before KSA work permit issued

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Foreign engineers wishing to work in Saudi Arabia must be registered with the Saudi Council of Engineers for the issuing and renewal of their resident permits (iqama).

The directive was issued by Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif, and industry leaders have reacted positively, saying that the move will help improve engineering standards in the Kingdom.

Abdullah Bugshan, chairman of the council’s board of directors, said the council would review the academic and professional qualifications of engineers.

“We’ll also encourage engineers to apply the best professional practices,” he added.

The move has garnered widespread support from the Saudi construction industry. Saudi Aramco, the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the Saline Water Conversion Corporation and King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology approve of the plans, as do government departments, and the Federation of Engineering Institutions in Islamic Countries.

Bugshan said that most Islamic countries had expressed their willingness to adopt similar policies.