RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s proactive leadership and investments in advanced technological solutions have positioned it as a global innovation leader, according to a senior official.
During LEAP 2024, Anant Maheshwari, president and CEO of Honeywell’s global portfolio of high-growth regions, told Arab News that Saudi Arabia is a “crucial market” for the company, being one of “the only three countries in the world to be run as an independent market”. .”
Maheshwari said: “The combination of the Kingdom’s proactive leadership, local technological capabilities and willingness to invest in advanced solutions makes it a global leader in innovation. »
Reflecting on Honeywell’s role in creating employment opportunities and promoting technological innovation within the Kingdom, the CEO highlighted initiatives aimed at talent development.
He said: “As part of our global commitment to diversity and inclusion, we have been able to increase the number of female hires by 50% over the past two years, many of whom work on programs critical industries for companies like Aramco. »
He added that the joint venture with Aramco is expected to create hundreds of new jobs over the next five years.
Anant Maheshwari, president and CEO of Honeywell’s global portfolio of high-growth regions. Provided
Maheshwari highlighted the importance of Honeywell’s global TECPro program, launched in 2014, saying: “We introduced this initiative in Saudi Arabia to support its transformation to a knowledge-based economy through early career development. »
The 18-month program gives graduates the tools, knowledge and experience to develop a long-term career at Honeywell.
“This is crucial because it is the next generation of Saudi engineers who will be responsible for working and advancing technologies related to automation and sustainability,” he added.
The CEO highlighted that this initiative will not only benefit the Kingdom’s industries, but will also play a broader role in supporting the planet’s crucial growth and climate goals.
“LEAP 2024 is an important event showcasing the impact of technology on various industries,” commented Maheshwari while explaining Honeywell’s technological capability.
“As a trusted technology advisor to critical industries around the world, Honeywell plays a key role in making sectors safer, smarter and more sustainable through our portfolio of connected technologies,” he added.
Maheshwari explained Honeywell’s innovative approach, highlighting the company’s use of cutting-edge technologies. “Artificial intelligence and machine learning are two essential technology tools that we leverage in our offerings today,” he explained.
By integrating AI into its portfolio, Honeywell helps customers take a step forward on the path to operational autonomy and enables them to make data-driven decisions faster and more accurately, says senior executive .
The conversation focused on Honeywell’s collaborative efforts, with Maheshwari highlighting partnerships that drive both innovation and sustainability. “Our joint venture with Aramco, called Plant.Digital, is a good example of this. »
He explained: “Plant.Digital leverages Aramco’s deep understanding of complex industrial operations and Honeywell’s software and automation know-how to provide virtually any industrial company with a solution complete end-to-end factory management.
The executive discussed Honeywell’s recent partnership with Hisense to integrate Solstice refrigerant technology into residential air conditioning units, saying, “This is another example of the benefits that hydrofluoroolefins, or HFO-based refrigerants, can provide.” »
He went on to explain that HFOs generally have more than 99% lower global warming potential than equivalent HFCs – an older technology that has been commonly used in applications such as refrigeration.
Maheshwari said: “So when you think about the number of air conditioning units Saudi Arabia has today, the environmental benefit of transitioning to HFO-based technology is clearly aligned with climate goals of the Kingdom and even on those of the entire region. »
Moving on to Saudi Arabia’s sustainability goals, Maheshwari highlighted Honeywell’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s efforts.
He said: “There is, of course, significant global drive to implement more efficient energy use and technology. »
The executive added: “As many countries consider moving away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible, security of energy supply must also be maintained. The transition requires sustained investment over several decades. This cannot happen overnight.
The LEAP conference concluded on Thursday, with important agreements in the areas of artificial intelligence and localization of innovations in its final sessions. Discussions were held on education technology, retail technology and financial technology, as well as health technology, the fourth industrial revolution, future energy and smart cities.
