Over 159,000 Saudi women employed in wholesale and retail sector in 2016

Riyadh region topped other regions in employing female workers in private sector firms. (Al-Eqtisadiah photo)
Updated 26 September 2017
Follow

Over 159,000 Saudi women employed in wholesale and retail sector in 2016

RIYADH: The number of female Saudi employees in the wholesale and retail sector in private sector companies stood at 159,588 by the end of 2016, local media said, quoting figures released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Development.
Riyadh region topped other regions in employing female workers in private sector firms, which employed 28 percent of the total throughout the Kingdom, the report said.
On the other hand, 2016 registered a growth of 8 percent in the employment of Saudi female staff in the finance and real estate sectors, compared to figures of 2015, with 147,398 female employees.
Earlier, the ministry identified 19 professions which should be occupied by Saudi nationals including senior human resources managers in government and private firms; heads of personnel sections; heads of labor and workers affairs; heads of personnel affairs; specialist in personnel affairs; clerk (personnel affairs); clerk (employment); clerk (employee affairs); clerk (timekeeping); clerk (general reception); clerk (hotel reception); clerk ( patient reception); clerk (grievances); treasurer; security guard (special); clerk (government relations); typewriter key repair; customer clearance; and female workers in women’s requirement shops.
Meanwhile, the ministry suspended renewal of work permits of expatriates occupying jobs to be filled by Saudi nationals and ordered companies not to transfer services of foreigners to them. It said penalties will be levied against companies employing expat workers in jobs limited to Saudi nationals. The ministry also ordered that work and jobs in closed shopping malls be limited to Saudi male and female employees.
Ministry spokesman Khalid Aba Al-Khail said the above Saudization decision contains a time frame for application and locations to be determined by the Minister of Labor and Social Development in accordance with labor market requirements and data of work applicants.


Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya ‘shaping the future,’ says executive ahead of Six Flags opening

Updated 22 December 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya ‘shaping the future,’ says executive ahead of Six Flags opening

  • Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari underscored the Kingdom’s recent monumental achievements in alignment with Six Flags Qiddiya City’s symbolic upcoming opening, stating: “We, in Saudi Arabia do not start where others end, we start where others dream”

RIYADH: Qiddiya is “shaping the future of entire sectors,” the entertainment megaproject’s managing director said at a press conference on Monday ahead of the official opening of Six Flags on Dec. 31.

Abdullah Al-Dawood took to the podium to share his pride in Qiddiya City’s speedy progress.

Six Flags Qiddiya City Entrance. (AN Photo by Basmah Albasrawi)

“Today, Six Flags Qiddiya City is complete, and Aquaarabia is over 95 percent complete,” he said.

With doors set to open in nine days, Al-Dawood made sure to remind the audience that this milestone is only the beginning of a grander vision for Qiddiya City and the Kingdom as a whole.

Abdullah Al-Dawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company speaks at Six Flags Press Conference. (AN Photo by Basmah Albasrawi)

“What we are doing today goes beyond simply developing a project, it is about building a city and shaping the future of entire sectors. God willing, the Kingdom will be among the leading countries in the fields of entertainment, sports, culture and tourism” he said.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosari underscored the Kingdom’s recent monumental achievements in alignment with Six Flags Qiddiya City’s symbolic upcoming opening, stating: “We, in Saudi Arabia do not start where others end, we start where others dream.”

En route to the park, Qiddiya executives welcomed members of the press to their grand project as mountains made way to rollercoaster views.

Qiddiya’s progress in becoming a hub for entertainment and sports is visible in the daylight as cranes and construction crew gathered to finalize building some of the most anticipated projects such as Aquaarabia, a waterpark, and golf courses in the heart of the desert.

The park is the first Six Flags outside of North America and forms part of Qiddiya Investment Co.’s flagship development.