With this impressive growth in the facilities management industry, the Kingdom has enormous potential, which if realized will mean a significant move forward for all players, Dave Wilson, immediate past deputy chair at British Institute of Facilities Management and director of UK-based Agents4FM, told the Saudi facilities and asset management conference, which opened at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday.

The two-day conference is dedicated to addressing the key issues and the challenges faced by facility managers in todays economic climate. It focuses especially on the Kingdoms growth potential, energy efficiency, reducing life-cycle costs, contracts, outsourcing, talent management, cost effective FM and sustainability.

Saudi Arabia is the biggest market in the GCC in terms of facilities and asset management, as it has lot of construction projects that are ongoing and in the pipeline, Andre Kievit, director of FSI MENA, told Arab News on the sidelines of the conference. Most of the business comes from existing asset and facilities managements and there is huge potential, he added. Strangely, he said, there is not much awareness of the asset management sector in this market. Dubai is comparatively the most educated in asset management, which is followed by Qatar, he added. By increasing your organizations presence, showing your long-term commitment and building up a local client relations and support network, you will see the rewards, Kievit said.

FSI is working in partnership with IONS Middle East to build an infrastructure with the necessary capabilities to support the planned expansion and provide best practice service to both existing and prospective clients. Winning deals is one thing, keeping our clients happy is another sport and needs direct investment. FSI and IONS are committed to these investments and building an infrastructure that our clients can benefit from and rely on. Trust, reputation and reliability will be our differentiators, Mohamad AlSwailem, managing director, IONS, said.

Mohamad Nabil Hijazi, quality assurance manager at Saudi Oger Ltd., platinum sponsor of the conference, said Saudi Oger was one of the pioneers of facilities and asset management as it has been in the construction industry for long and gained experience in maintenance as well.

Top-level executives of facilities and asset management are attending the event, organized by IIR Middle East.