EDDAH: ARAB NEWS
Sunday 2 December 2012
The Ministry of Labor is exploring the possibility of Saudizing the vast retail sector, especially commercial centers and malls as part of its efforts to find more areas to employ Saudi youths including women.
“The idea of Saudizing the retail sector is being discussed with other government departments and our private sector partners,” undersecretary at the ministry Fahd Al-Takhayfi told Al-Madinah daily.
Stressing the potential of the retail sector — in particular commercial centers as a plentiful source of jobs — the official urged business owners to improve the work environment in commercial centers to suit Saudi working women.
The annual volume of the retail sector in the Kingdom is SR 200 billion with 242,000 licensed retail shops and commercial centers according to a study. With a market share of SR 54 billion, food outlets dominate the sector. Between 70 and 80 percent of the workers in the sector are expatriates.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Economics, Saudi Arabia