AL AZIZIA Panda United, a leading retail company in Saudi Arabia and a subsidiary of Savola Group, has succeeded in raising the rate of Saudization close to 39 percent of the 13,000 total number of employees working in 140 branches of Panda and Hyper Panda around the Kingdom. In addition to its ongoing efforts to provide job opportunities for Saudis, Al Azizia Panda has been ranked among the top five companies with the “Best Work Environment” in Kingdom's commercial sector for the year 2011. Commenting on the classification of Al Azizia Panda as one of the top five best working environments, Dr. Abdulraouf Mohammed Manna, Managing Director of The Savola Group, said: “With the praise of God, Al Azizia Panda is recognized locally and internationally for its excellent work environment. At global level, in the same year, the company won a number of awards on the Asian continent in a contest held in Singapore, where Panda received the award for best human resources strategy compatible with the company's activity, and the award for excellence in training, in competition against major international companies.” Mowafaq Mansour Jamal, CEO of Al Azizia Panda United, said: “Since 2002, Al Azizia Panda has dedicated a significant amount of investment to Saudization, allocating SR10 million budget annually and another SR5 million a year for management training.” “In 2011, the company hired 5,270 Saudis compared to 1,262 non-Saudi employees. For this year, we have targeted the completion of 14 new branches in the Kingdom, which will provide 800 new jobs for young Saudis, God willing,” he added. Last year, Al Azizia Panda conducted a field survey that included more than 90 percent of its 11,000 employees, which revealed the strengths and weaknesses in the company's communication with its employees. Based on the results, the company has launched a number of programs and initiatives, most notably an Employee Assessment program to assess the fairness of the employee performance evaluation system, as well as to advance the training and development of the company. In 2012, Al Azizia Panda established a new position with the title of Director of Culture and Communication in the Department of Human Resources, with responsibility for the institutional culture in the company and strengthening the work environment. In addition, the director is required to be aware of the hopes and aspirations of Al Azizia Panda employees and is responsible for supporting and developing internal communications in the company, including social networking which is used for internal communications. Internal communications include the Panda Newsletter which is issued online by the Public Relations Department to inform and update and educate staff on key initiatives and the most important news within the company. Not content with its numerous awards and achievements, Al Azizia Panda management continues with its efforts to enhance the work environment and is currently working on developing a communication program for Al Azizia Panda United, which aims to concentrate all communication materials in one place and in a highly attractive manner. The program is currently being rolled out in all Al Azizia Panda markets in the Kingdom. — SG
