“We classify ourselves as a testing, inspection and certification company, but essentially what we do in every sector is we are a brokerage of trust,” says Khurram Majeed, Executive Vice-President for the Middle East, Caspian and Africa at Bureau Veritas, a global provider of testing, inspection and certification services that helps businesses assess quality, safety and sustainability across industries.
From energy and industrial automation to international leadership, Majeed has built a career across multiple sectors. His work at Bureau Veritas reflects the role of independent technical expertise in helping businesses assess risks, verify quality and navigate complex industrial projects. Founded in 1828, the company has expanded well beyond its maritime origins, while maintaining its focus on independent assurance.
The company was established in response to frequent shipwrecks and maritime accidents. A group of French engineers recognised the need for an independent body with the technical knowledge to assess ship designs and certify vessels as seaworthy. What began as a maritime-focused service has since evolved into a multidisciplinary business spanning testing, inspection and certification across a wide range of industries.
Today, Bureau Veritas applies that expertise to products and projects across their lifecycles, from feasibility studies and supplier assessments to equipment verification and ongoing operations. Its work helps businesses make informed decisions, manage technical risks and evaluate the reliability of their assets and facilities.
Majeed is responsible for a region spanning more than 70 countries, with Bureau Veritas operating in 48 of them. The company employs close to 10,000 people across these markets, and, according to Majeed, two out of every three people it hires are technical professionals. The scale of these operations highlights the importance of local expertise supported by international networks, particularly when projects depend on suppliers, equipment manufacturers and technology providers across multiple countries.
“You need someone who has a global footprint to be your eyes and ears; a third party assurance to help you validate checks because it is not possible for you to do everything by yourself”
Independent assurance can support investors at every stage of a major industrial project. During development, Bureau Veritas can help assess feasibility, benchmark proposals against international experience, and identify potential risks. During execution, its teams can verify suppliers, assess quality, and check delivery requirements. Once operations begin, the company can help clients reduce maintenance costs and manage asset-related risks.
Pakistan presents potential opportunities to expand these capabilities, particularly in mining and minerals. Majeed points to the Reko Diq project and increasing exploration activity as signs of potential demand for specialised testing services. Bureau Veritas already has an international minerals-testing network, including facilities in Jeddah and Ankara, linked to operations in countries such as Chile, Australia, and Canada. Majeed sees scope to develop similar capabilities in Karachi or Balochistan, alongside investment in local skills and employment.
The company's broader ambition is to become one of the top three players in its segments and product lines. Achieving that goal requires continued investment in technical talent. Majeed describes expertise as the company's core offering, emphasising recruitment, training and professional development as essential to delivering value for clients. He says his business hired 2,000 people across the Middle East, Caspian and Africa in 2025 to meet growing demand.
As industrial projects become increasingly interconnected across borders, Bureau Veritas' focus on independent assessment remains relevant to businesses seeking technical expertise, informed investment decisions and greater confidence in their operations.
For Pakistan, the opportunity lies in translating global expertise into local capacity.
How could independent testing and technical assurance support the country's mining and industrial ambitions? Share your thoughts in the comments.
This article was developed with the assistance of AI tools.
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