Report Jan. 8, 2024

Local economic development

Report Jan. 8, 2024

ExxonMobil works closely with local communities to understand the unique needs of the areas where we operate and to identify and help contribute to long-term, positive local economic and social development. Our approach to local economic development integrates local content and local community investment into project planning, execution, and operations.

Local content

ExxonMobil takes a long-term, coordinated, strategic approach to developing human, social, and economic capacity with tangible, lasting results for people, communities, and businesses in host countries.

We focus on employing and training local personnel, supporting local suppliers and service providers, and helping improve the livelihood of community members. We develop a local content plan specific to each country or area to establish objectives for long-term economic development, considering social and economic conditions, the nature of the project, and the community’s needs.

Local hiring and development

Hiring locally has the shared benefit of helping us meet our staffing needs and advancing local economic development and education. We aim to enhance the long-term capability of the local workforce. Our approach includes recruitment, training, and succession planning.

We hire local individuals and help them develop technical and leadership skills that will benefit them throughout their careers with ExxonMobil or other future employers. Our development program includes training in relevant technical and vocational skills, health and safety, environmental protection, management skills, and business conduct.

More information on Investing in People can be found on our website.

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Economic development in Guyana

For example, in Guyana, providing opportunities for local hiring and workforce development is a vital part of enhancing the economic and social benefits associated with our activities. Our strategy to develop a diverse and talented workforce has two components — the recruitment and development of Guyanese personnel who can play a role in our local operations, and the continued development of a global pool of talent capable of meeting our future business needs wherever we operate. We apply proven training curriculums, industry best practices, and leading technology to support local workforce development.

Local suppliers are important to the success of our operations. We are working with them, and other stakeholders, to develop local companies and a competitive industrial base.

ExxonMobil Guyana established the Centre for Local Business Development which enables local firms to learn about opportunities in the oil and gas sector, strengthen their competitiveness, and prepare to supply the oil and gas sector with various services. The Centre maintains an interactive database our prime contractors use to post tendering opportunities and to identify possible suppliers, contractors, and subcontractors. International companies looking for potential local partnerships also use the Centre.

Additional information about our local content efforts in Guyana can be found at our Guyana Local Content website.

Local supplier development and utilization

We understand the importance of building and maintaining a qualified and competitive supply chain in the countries in which we operate. Our approach to local supplier development and utilization includes purchasing goods and services from local suppliers and building their capabilities to help create a competitive local industrial base.

We work with a range of stakeholders, including host governments, nongovernmental organizations, and local communities to support the development of local vendors. To become a supplier for ExxonMobil, a local vendor must meet our safety, technical, environmental, and human rights expectations and requirements. When possible, we work with businesses owned by local individuals, women, and members of historically disadvantaged communities to help them become competitive vendors that can contribute to our business and the long-term economic progress of the community.

More information on sustainable procurement at ExxonMobil can be found here.

Investments in local communities

Our investments and activities support economic development of local communities. We engage and collaborate with community members, stakeholders, and host governments to develop meaningful projects that help build and sustain economic growth while improving social conditions. We consider the development goals of each community when deciding where, when, and how best to invest.

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Supporting women entrepreneurs in East Java

In the heart of Tuban in East Java, a town where traditional roles once defined the lives of women like Nurul and Siti, a quiet revolution is taking place. When adversity struck Nurul's family, and Siti Wedok Lestari became reliant on her husband's income, they embarked on a journey of resilience and ingenuity.

Their transformation began with Crochet Courses for Women, an initiative with ExxonMobil’s affiliate in Indonesia, ExxonMobil Cepu Limited. Under the guiding hand of the Sri Sasanti Indonesia Foundation (YSSI), these women found strength in the art of crochet, a skill that not only empowered them economically but also reshaped their identities.

Nurul's group in Bojonegoro, also in East Java, once uncertain about their capabilities, proved their mettle by fulfilling a colossal order of hundreds of crochet products. Their tenacity bore fruit, as they reaped profits representing additional income, transforming their financial landscapes.

Nurul and Siti, now adept trainers and quality controllers, have become the pillars of this movement. With over 200 women joining their crochet group, their impact resonates far beyond the stitches they create. Since its inception in 2018, the program has touched the lives of more than 500 women, fostering a community of artisans who not only master the technical intricacies but also cultivate useful life skills.

In addition to investments in local capacity building, ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation contribute to voluntary social investments worldwide. For more information on these global contributions visit our Worldwide Giving Report.