Business | Technology
SAP eyes more local talent in Middle East operations
European software giant SAP plans to integrate more local talent into its operations in the Middle East, according to Leo Apotheker, the company's co-chief executive officer.
- By Scott Shuey, Chief Business Reporter
- Published: 00:15 May 21, 2008
Berlin: European software giant SAP plans to integrate more local talent into its operations in the Middle East, according to Leo Apotheker, the company's co-chief executive officer.
Developing and retaining local talent is a developmental goal for the region, Apotheker told journalists prior to the company's annual European conference in Berlin.
SAP's Middle East and North African (Mena) operations are currently dominated by expatriate employees, but he said that was because "we just took over." SAP bought back the exclusive distribution rights for its products from SAP Arabia in September of 2007.
He said the company would accomplish the integration of local talent through educational initiatives in the area, such as a deal with the Egyptian National Postal Organisation, which includes plans to establish a SAP customer support centre in Egypt aimed at educating locals on SAP products and procedures.
Apotheker said the company was facing a global shortage of talent, which wasn't being helped by the West.
"There just isn't enough talent coming out of the West," he said.
He said SAP was very interested the emerging markets, including the Gulf states. "SAP recognised the opportunity in the so-called emerging markets very early in the cycle," he said. "The growth rates are of course very high."
Henning Kagermann, Apotheker's co-CEO, said that business conditions in the US remain "challenging" for the company, but there is no indication the situation was getting worse.
"There is no spillover from the recession in the US to Asia and Europe,"' he said. "Europe and Asia are still strong."
Kagerman and Apotheker are sharing the role of CEO until Kagerman retires in April 2009.
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