JEDDAH, 3 July — Although widely welcomed by expatriate workers and the corporate sector, the decision to allow foreign workers to move freely within the Kingdom without having to carry a travel pass has not met with the same enthusiasm by others.

Until the decision was officially made public a few days ago, expatriates wishing to travel from one region to another on business or private visits must obtain travel documents endorsed by the Passports Department or attested by the local chamber of commerce.

The chambers charge SR20 for attestation of a paper. The processing of the document was either done by the employer or by the individual concerned through an authorized general service office. Here in Jeddah, these offices charge from SR50 to SR100 per document.

They also process other documents such an iqama, driving license and exit/re-entry visa.

The Passports Department in Jeddah used to endorse an average of 1,000 travel documents a day.

Now, both the chambers and the service offices seem to have lost an important source of income. The chambers would particularly feel the effect when they compile their financial statements at the end of the fiscal year.

At the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, income generated by attestation of documents including travel passes accounted for one-third of the chamber’s revenue, which also included subscription fees paid by businessmen.

JCCI annual report for the year 2000/2001 showed that the chamber generated SR13.5 million from attestations.

The figure was projected to increase by some SR5 million to reach SR19 million in the next budget due in eight months. Now that an important source of income is no longer there, chambers may have to look for other sources to bolster their revenue, said one economist.

Last year JCCI generated SR66.25 million in total revenues from various sources including subscriptions, attestations, rent from its multi-story business center, exhibition and training activities, publications, warehouses and other sources.

Attestation is second only to subscription as the source of income for the chamber.

Last year’s financial statement showed the chamber generated SR22.5 million from subscription fees with the figure expected to jump to SR24 million in the coming budget.

The general service offices, already weary of the opening up of the local market, would also feel the effect.

“It sure is going to affect us because we used to depend for part of our income on these letters. But we still have other types of services to offer and we hope things will improve with more movement because people will need other services as well,” said Abu Sultan who runs a service office in the northern part of the city.

However, businessmen viewed the decision as an important step that would help boost the travel market and revive the local tourism industry. 

Public transport operators welcomed the move as a promising sign saying it means people will be able to move from one place to another, especially during holidays and religious seasons.

“It is good news, and we are looking forward to seeing more travelers in future. We look forward to the season including the holy fasting month of Ramadan and Eid holidays,” said Salim, a GMC van driver while clamoring for passengers outside the bus terminal at Corniche. He said he operates between Jeddah and Madinah

A Sudanese worker waiting at the terminal said he was returning to Qasim after seeing off his parents who came for Umrah.

“I visited them in Makkah and accompanied them to the airport and I am now going back to my workplace. It was the first time in years that I was able to travel all this distance without a pass,” said Abdul Kareem Mukhtar, an accountant with a private firm.