WISTA International President Elpi Petraki attends the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress

September 26, 2024

Last week, WISTA International President Elpi Petraki attended the Saudi Maritime & Logistics Congress which was hugely insightful. With its Saudi Vision 2030, it is apparent that the Kingdom is opening ever wider in attracting interest and investment into sectors including maritime and logistics. The Vision includes policy on DEI, encouraging participation of women and minority groups in the workforce, and Ms Petraki was encouraged by the approach being taken to ensure a diverse future.

During the event, Ms Petraki moderated a roundtable session for the Seatrade Maritime Club, on Recruitment, Retention, and Saudization, and also participated in the Workforce Development session, sharing her views with some inspiring panellists where there was much talk on youth, gender diversity matters and attracting and retaining the best professionals.

It was uplifting to witness the growing receptivity for female presence in the workplace and the unprecedented progress towards diversity that is clearly being made.

Ms. Petraki, along with members of WISTA UAE and WISTA UK, also had the opportunity to meet with women in the industry to discuss the creation of a new National WISTA Association in Saudi Arabia. These discussions mark an exciting step toward expanding WISTA’s presence and fostering greater inclusivity within the maritime sector in the region. We look forward to continuing our discussions and working together to establish WISTA Saudi Arabia, further empowering women in the industry across the globe.