RIYADH: The value of online delivery orders in Saudi Arabia surged 45 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to a year earlier to top SR1 billion ($266.5 million), official data show.
Overall requests on these apps increased by about a third, reaching nearly 9.2 million, while e-payments increased by some 128 percent to 8.1 million processes, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) said in a statement.
From takeaway food to clothing purchases, the global delivery industry has boomed during the pandemic as the closure of bricks and mortar retailers and restaurants transformed global shopping habits.
Saudi Arabia’s online food ordering and delivery market was valued at $511.21 million last year and is forecast to grow by more than 10 percent each year through 2026.
“Even after the pandemic challenge in 2020, the market showed consistent growth. Digitization, and emergence of advanced online services is expected to drive the Saudi Arabia online food ordering and delivery market in the next five years,” according to a study released by ReportLinker.
Saudis spent SR1bn on delivery apps in first three months of 2021
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Saudis spent SR1bn on delivery apps in first three months of 2021
- Overall requests on these apps increased by about a third, reaching nearly 9.2 million
HRDF announces record employment and training support in 2025
RIYADH: The Human Resources Development Fund announced record achievements in employment and training support during 2025, with its programs contributing to the employment of more than 562,000 Saudi citizens in private sector establishments, an increase of 29 percent compared to 2024.
It also revealed that total spending on training, empowerment, and mentorship programs in the same year exceeded SR8.29 billion ($2.21 billion), benefiting more than 2 million Saudi citizens.
This investment has strengthened professional readiness and ensured closer alignment between workforce skills and the needs of emerging and high-growth sectors.
On this occasion, HRDF Director General Turki Al-Jawini underscored the fund’s continued commitment to developing and expanding its programs to promote sustainable employment and increase the productivity of national talent.
“The continuous growth in the number of beneficiaries reflects the success of the fund’s strategic transformation in maximizing economic and social impact,” he said, adding that the growth comes as a testament to the organization’s position as a strategic pillar in developing national capabilities.
“This contributes to building a diverse and sustainable knowledge-based economy,” the top official stated, noting that these efforts are supported by advanced digital infrastructure and strategic partnerships that enhance the competitiveness of Saudi citizens at both the local and global levels.
The fund also revealed that the number of establishments benefiting from its services increased to more than 226,000 establishments across various regions of the Kingdom, a growth of 27 percent.
Small, micro, and medium-sized enterprises accounted for nearly 94 percent of them.
Additionally, 45 qualitative training agreements linked to employment were signed across various sectors, confirming the fund’s role in Vision 2030 to enhance the private sector’s contribution to increasing the contribution of SMEs to the gross domestic product through investment in national cadres.
Al-Jawini added that the fund continues its efforts to develop its programs to ensure employment sustainability and increase the productivity of national cadres, relying on an advanced digital infrastructure and effective partnerships that support the competitiveness of the Saudi citizen locally and globally.
