The Saudi Ministry of Labor and Social Development has issued a ministerial order to “Saudize” wholesale and retail operations in nine economic activities by 70 percent starting August 20.
Saudi Vision 2030 aims to ultimately reduce unemployment to 7 percent and 9 percent by the end of this year through an economic reform program that targets providing 450,000 jobs for the Saudis.
The ministerial order seeks to boost the citizens’ participation in the labor market and create more job opportunities throughout the Kingdom, said the ministry, stressing that it is taking all required procedures to guarantee that establishments implement this decision.
The order includes nationalizing activities related to the selling of coffee, tea, honey, sugar, spices, water, drinks, fruits, vegetables, dates, wheat, seeds, flowers, plants, agricultural material, books, stationary, meat, fish, eggs, diaries, plant oils, detergents, soap and plastics. It also covers gifts, luxury, crafts and toy stores.
Saudi Arabia launched efforts to nationalize jobs in recent years, which has created thousands of opportunities in several economic sectors. The effort aimed to raise the number of Saudis working in the private sector and decreasing unemployment.
In August 2018, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development signed an agreement with 18 government bodies to nationalize 11 new sectors in the country. They included professions in the medical, accounting, legal, tourism, retail, transportation, contracting, industry, trade, engineering fields and others.
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