From left: US Ambassador to Riyadh James B. Smith, Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Officer and President Marillyn Hewson, and KACST Director of Electronics, Communications and Photonics Research Dr. Hatim M. Behairy, cut the ceremonial ribbon during the opening of Lockheed Martin's new headquarters in Riyadh Saturday. Saeed Al Khotani Saudi Gazette RIYADH – Global security and aerospace leader Lockheed Martin underscored here Saturday its commitment to enhance job creation, technology transfer and capacity building in aerospace and commercial sectors in the Kingdom, in support of the Kingdom's Vision 2020 and a strong national defense capability. Speaking at the inauguration of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia's new headquarters in Riyadh, Lockheed Martin Chief Executive Officer and President Marillyn Hewson, said “Saudi Arabia is a strategically important market for our company and today marks a significant step in strengthening our partnership with the Kingdom. We have been supporting the Kingdom for nearly five decades, and are committed to working with our local partners to develop mutually beneficial business opportunities for the future.” “The United States has a strong strategic partnership with the Kingdom and we are honored to be part of that team. So, we look forward to working closely with our Saudi partners to support the Kingdom's efforts to create a more technology-focused economy as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2020. We are focused on developing partnerships that sustain long-term jobs for Saudi people in the security, aerospace and commercial sectors,” she said. Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia Alan Chinoda, speaking at the event, said: “With the opening of our new office in Riyadh, Lockheed Martin Saudi Arabia is clearly strengthening its long term commitment to the Kingdom.” “We are now better positioned to develop business ventures, strategic initiatives, local partnerships and, most importantly, local talent. Building on the success of our first industrial collaboration forum in Riyadh last year, we look forward to deepening our friendships in Kingdom and helping to harness the innovation and energy of the Saudi people.” Lockheed Martin has an active partnership with the King Abdullaziz City for Science and Technology, King Abdullah University for Science and Technology and Al Faisal University in Riyadh. The partnership is focused on helping the Kingdom respond to the skills challenges of the next decade. Through these partnerships, Lockheed Martin is working to empower Saudi youth through education, knowledge transfer and engagement, bringing tangible long-term benefits to the Kingdom. Commenting on this partnership, US Ambassador to Riyadh James B. Smith, who attended the occasion, said: “Partnerships are a critical element of the strong, strategic relationship which exists between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a important part of sustaining our governments' alliance for the future.” KACST also was present through its representative, Dr. Hatim M. Behairy, Director Electronics, Communications and Photonics Research. Addressing the event, he said “today's announcement by Lockheed Martin CEO and President is good news for Saudi Arabia. From personal experience, I have seen the benefits world-class companies such as Lockheed Martin can bring to our country, through investment, training of Saudi nationals and sharing of best practices in fields such as research and education.” Lockheed Martin, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, USA-, is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide. The company is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustaining advanced technology systems, products, and services. Its net sales in 2012 were $47.2 billion.
