We have waited so long to see the government decision for the Saudization of the gold and jewelry shops come into force. We have also followed with great enthusiasm the debate that has been going on over the effect of such a move on the business.
Well, the decision was not enforced abruptly since it has long been well known that some day such a move would have to be made. So why all this panic over an issue that everyone has been expecting for so long?
The fear that gold shops may close down for lack of workers to run them is unjustified. Even if these shops close, the solution is very simple: Import gold. Life wouldn’t come to a standstill if our women stopped buying gold.
We waited for the decision to be implemented to see whether the authorities are serious in enforcing Saudization. Replacing foreigners with Saudis in gold shops is an indication how government decisions are adhered to. It serves as an indicator to judge Saudization in other areas.
Those who hailed the decision when it was first announced must now come forward and tell us if they think the move should be further delayed or shelved.
The strength of a decision and the wisdom behind it are judged by the way it is implemented and whether it is backed by mechanisms that facilitate it and appropriate penalties for violators.
Arab News From the Local Press 13 March 2003
