RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad Al-Rajhi on Tuesday met business representatives of the private sector in Makkah.
During the meeting at the headquarters of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce, Al-Rajhi reviewed the labor-market strategy and achievements between 2019 and 2023 and was told about the main challenges and opportunities in the private sector.
Figures showed that the number of Saudis working in the private sector had increased from 1.7 million to 2.3 million, while women’s participation rose from 17 percent to 35.3 percent, surpassing the Vision 2030 target of 30 percent.
Al-Rajhi lauded the private sector’s role in enhancing development and supporting the labor-market strategy and he noted the importance of using national cadres in seasonal work and empowering the country’s youth in professions that would help develop their skills.
The minister pointed out that seasonal visas — that he estimated could number 59,000 this year — assisted companies with staffing issues during specific seasons, such as Hajj and Umrah.
Following his speech, talks took place with the Makkah business delegates and chamber committee chairs of Hajj and Umrah, transportation, subsistence, and hotels, among others.
Al-Rajhi suggested that his ministry and the chamber set up a task force to investigate mutual challenges and opportunities.
Saudi HR minister, business leaders discuss labor-market challenges
https://arab.news/yzu9u
Saudi HR minister, business leaders discuss labor-market challenges
- Ahmad Al-Rajhi engages private sector in Makkah, praises growth in Saudi workforce
- Al-Rajhi lauded the private sector’s role in enhancing development and supporting the labor-market strategy
Children’s Theater Festival opens in Qassim region
- To develop future ‘cultural architects,’ says CEO Khaled Al-Baz
- ‘Nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and sense of belonging’
BURAIDAH: The Qassim Children’s Theater Festival opened on Tuesday bringing together professionals from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
The event is being held under the patronage of Prince Dr. Faisal bin Mishaal bin Saud bin Abdulaziz, governor of Qassim, at the Science Center in Unaizah governorate.
It has been Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Association and executed by the Unaizah Theater Association, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Running until Jan. 31, it features shows, panel discussions, as well as training workshops to develop children’s theater and strengthen professional skills in the field.
Khaled Al-Baz, CEO of the Theater and Performing Arts Association, told the SPA the festival forms part of a broader strategy to position children’s theater as a distinct cultural sector.
“Children today constitute genuine audiences — tomorrow’s cultural architects,” Al-Baz said.
Ahmed Al-Humaimidi, president of the Unaizah Theater Association, said it was an investment in young people, noting that it extends beyond performances to include cultural and educational programming.
He said the initiative aims to nurture creativity, aesthetic awareness and a sense of belonging, while also identifying emerging talent and encouraging knowledge exchange among theater practitioners.
“Our association recognizes children’s theater as foundational to cultivating aware, creative character,” he said.
The festival serves as both an artistic showcase and a platform for professional dialogue, reflecting the Kingdom’s expanding cultural landscape and growing focus on children’s theater as an educational and cultural tool, the SPA noted.
This occurs alongside support for signature initiatives and performing arts promotion as quality-of-life enhancement.
