Dubai: As part of a wide-ranging social and economic reform drive to cope with lower oil revenues, Saudi Arabia plans to hire only nationals to work at mall shops.
The decision by the Ministry of Labour, was tweeted by its spokesman Khalid Abu Al Khail without providing any further details.
The move aims to tackle the country’s growing unemployment and safeguard jobs for citizens in a country that hosts a massive foreign labour force.
Under an economic reform programme launched last year, known as Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is seeking to use non-oil means to generate much of its additional future energy needs to avoid running down oil resources and diversify its economy.
It is also focusing on ways to capitalise on untapped resources in the country like boosting the number of women in the workforce.
The country is also looking to invest in projects aimed at boosting revenue and saving money.
Among the sectors being tapped is the energy sector, as the country looks to invest in renewable energy projects.
Other targeted sectors include the entertainment and culture and heritage sectors.
Saudi Arabia has hosted a slew of entertainment events recently such as comic-con, music concerts and monster truck shows as away to keep Saudis seeking entertainment from travelling abroad or to other GCC states.
It is also seeking ways to capitalise on the country’s rich culture and heritage to attract tourists from outside.
It recently held a month long camel festival which brought in thousands of guests including foreigners.
Under the vision, by the year 2030, Saudi Arabia will increase the number of public and private museums from 155 to 241, increase the number of Unesco World Heritage sites from four to 10, and increase the number of archaeological sites suitable to visit from 75 to 155.
In addition, the kingdom will increase the number of archaeological heritage sites from 10 to 28 and increase the number of activities and cultural events from 190 currently to 400 annually.
