Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON) participated in the competition to identify the best work environment at the governmental Authorities level as this competition was held for the first time for the public sector. As the result of participation, MODON obtained third place whereby the prize was awarded to the best three Authorities. MODON participation resulted from its desire to assess the efforts it exerts to develop itself at all levels and to measure the degree of satisfaction of its employees. The efforts made by MODON's employees have realized tremendous achievements and changes, whereby there are existing cities that have been rehabilitated and provided with services and facilities. Also, there are new cities in different regions of the Kingdom that have been established during the past two years where the size of industrial cities has increased by 60 percent compared to what has been developed over 40 years. The number of projects signed during 2009 is more than 140 projects that make MDON work as a 'Team'. The challenge is not to implement a large number of projects or to supervise 18 industrial cities, but the challenge was in two aspects: the human resources and the financial resource.
The human resources in MODON does not exceed 150 employees, whereby MODON provided attractive aspects for human competencies from various government and private sectors and incentives, empowerment and continuous training for the human resources and created appropriate environment for creativity. MODON created a prize for the best creative idea by an employee, and a prize for the best internet site among Internet sites of departments and MODON branches to activate electronic skills, transparency, and work in the organization. Furthermore, MODON designated a web page for each employee to have them involved in making strategic and annual plans and projects. A weekly meeting for each department is held every Saturday morning between the department director and the department staff. A weekly meeting for all directors of departments is also held every Sunday between the Director General and directors of departments. A quarterly meeting gathers first and second grade employees of all departments and branches to submit quarterly reports and discuss ideas. An annual meeting, attended by approximately 60 staff members reviews the objectives achieved and proposes future plans and assesses projects.
This mechanism has achieved good planning and precise follow-up of the projects and participation of everyone in the discussion of the achievements and ways to overcome the obstacles and takes advantage of the views of all workers where a unique work environment is provided.
On the other hand the work environment in MODON was experiencing the development phase with great leaps at the internal administrative organization level. Rules and operational manual has been developed including detailed rules and procedures for the implementation of tasks. MODON also set up the Customer Care Center and activated the electronic transactions at all levels, whether these are related to staff or customers. Currently, customers can apply for obtaining land and follow-up its allocation through MODON website www.modon.gov.sa. MODON was able to obtain the ISO award as a testimony confirming MODON's desire of the quality in rendering services.
These achievements culminated in the prize for 'The Best Work Environment' which is ascribed to Allah Almighty then to staff members who made outstanding efforts and who deserve our thanks and appreciation.
The second aspect of the challenge is concentrated in financial resources, where MODON has no support or budget from the Government, but would rely on its own resources, so MODON has sought to diversify sources of income rather than relying on the nominal rental value of industrial land renting which does not exceed one Saudi Riyal per square meter. The private sector has been attracted under BOT system to invest in the infrastructure and to establish facilities and services such as water projects, smart cities, district cooling and the establishment of residential and commercial projects. Therefore, MODON has provided the services for industrialists without charging the government budget with expenses of setting up and operation and maintenance, which has realized a return for MODON's budget and provided opportunities for investors from which they profit.
In conclusion, I would like to thank His Excellency the Chairman of the Board of Directors H.E. Abdullah bin Ahmed Zainal and all members of the Board of Directors for their guidance, support and efforts that had an impact on the development of MODON. I would also like to thank ''Al-Eqtisadiya" 'for its initiative to establish award for the best work environment to motivate public and private sectors for the excellence in providing an appropriate work environment for employees and for making a competitive environment among the Authorities for the best investment in human resources and thanks is extended to the prize committee for its evaluation of MODON.
In doing so, MODON will continue its endeavors for the continuous development and improvement and to attract qualified human competencies and providing appropriate work environment.
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© Press Release 2010
