Investment Forums
‘Doing Business with Aramco:’ Investment forums held in Rio de Janeiro, San Antonio
Aramco representatives spread the word of investment, iktva, and other opportunities.
Aramco Americas has set the stage for hundreds of U.S. and South American companies to join Aramco’s supply chain by hosting two major supplier forums in September.
The Procurement and Supply Chain Management (P&SCM) department in Houston organized the forums in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and San Antonio, Texas, to coincide with energy industry conferences.
Each forum focused on a different business sector and is part of a series called “Doing Business with Aramco.”
Speakers introduced attendees to Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add initiative or “iktva,” and the favorable environment for doing business and locating facilities in Saudi Arabia. The iktva initiative strives to grow localized manufacturing within the Kingdom.
Working hand in hand with suppliers
In Brazil, nearly 80 companies learned about the vast opportunities in services, projects, and materials. P&SCM manager Ammar I. Mubarak delivered the keynote address on behalf of Aramco Americas for both events. He told audiences how Aramco Americas procurement specialists work hand in hand with suppliers, operating as a vital link between partners in the Americas and Aramco.
Aramco suppliers become part of a reliable and efficient supply chain program that works to the highest standards.
— Ammar I. Mubarak
“Our business model is based on long-term partnerships oriented toward growth.”
Aramco Contracting Department supervisor Talal T. Al-Qahtani discussed supplier qualification and registration processes. He also presented projects and services for business opportunities.
Meanwhile, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council partnered with Aramco Americas to host the Engineering & Construction Supplier Forum in San Antonio. The full-day event was mostly attended by CEOs and vice presidents.
A matter of opporunity
U.S.-Saudi Business Council president and CEO Delano Roosevelt opened the forum in San Antonio. He pointed to Aramco and government entities, which will lead major investments within the country’s private sector by 2030 under an economic diversification program. Roosevelt emphasized such investment means huge business opportunities.
Mubarak added, “There are many opportunities for companies in expansion projects at Aramco which translates into a higher demand for sourcing at Aramco Americas.”
Joining the San Antonio event from Aramco was Sami S. Shubaibi, manager, Project Management Office Department (PMOD) and Tariq A. Chaudhry, also from PMOD.
Both forums concluded with breakout sessions with companies eager to learn more about Aramco’s business opportunities and localization in Saudi Arabia. Aramco Americas and Aramco teams will follow up with the potential new business partners to match their offerings to current projects.
Three supplier forums have been held in the Americas this year, with the previous one held in Houston, Texas, during the Offshore Technology Conference, which attracted over 130 companies from various energy sectors.
Caption for top photo: Tariq A. Chaudhry discussed business opportunities with potential vendors at the forum in San Antonio.