Saudi businessmen and specialists emphasized that the private sector was ready to face any repercussions on the local markets in the event that the concerned authorities took precautionary measures to face a new wave of Covid-19.
Businessmen declared their ability to face challenges during the next phase, with the support of the government, and to meet the market’s need for food products. They explained that the sector has gained experience in dealing with crises and taking a number of steps to limit their repercussions.
The Saudi Ministry of Interior has taken recent measures to confront a new rise of infections, including preventing the holding of events, parties and activities and reducing gatherings, in addition to closing cinemas and internal entertainment venues inside restaurants and cafes.
The head of the Economic and Energy Committee in the Shura Council, Dr. Faisal Al Fadel, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi private sector was strong and capable of facing any kind of challenges with direct support from the Kingdom’s government.
The cohesion of private sector institutions during the first wave of the pandemic and over the course of eight months, and their resort to technology and platforms, confirmed the presence of a strong ground and ability to deal with a second wave, even if with different methods and strategies, he underlined.
Fadel added that in the event that any partial or total lockdown is imposed to limit the spread of the virus, commercial companies will seek to lower prices in order to encourage consumers and raise sales.
Chairman of Al-Shalan Company, Muhammad Al-Shalan, told Asharq Al-Awsat that there would be no shortages in foodstuffs in general and rice in particular, stressing that large stocks were available to meet the increasing demands.
He noted that the extraordinary challenges faced at the global level required joint efforts by the government and private sector to alleviate the burdens resulting from the crisis.
Chairman of the Aviation and Support Services Committee at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Hussein Al-Zahrani, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the opportunity was available for companies operating in the tourism sector to rebuild, develop and improve services in light of the facilities and financial support provided by the government.
Tourism and support services are the most affected, but good preparation will allow many companies and institutions to overcome the crisis, he emphasized.
