JEDDAH: More than four million youths will enter the Kingdom’s job market over the next 10 years, according to a recent study.
The study was prepared by the Small Enterprises Center (SEC) an offshoot of the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
“More than 400,000 men and women are graduating annually in various specializations in the country. The share of jobs that will be in Makkah will be between eight and 10 percent of the total. On the other hand, there are only 80 big companies that can provide large-scale employment. Small size enterprises have huge potential for creating new jobs in large numbers,” official spokesman of the MCCI Maher Jamal said while commenting on the report recently.
The MCCI established SEC with the aim of promoting small investors to open small business ventures and generate large-scale employment opportunities, according to a statement of the MCCI.
“Small enterprises sector is the backbone of the private sector in the Kingdom and potential job provider. MCCI founded SEC to serve this sector,” Jamal said.
The SEC will provide consultative services, training and information to those who want to start small enterprises.
It issues directories and organize meetings, lectures and seminars besides studying how enterprises are running successfully in other regions. It will also examine the common obstacles faced by the establishments and find solutions to them. It also offers feasibility studies and investment advice to young men who plan to start small enterprises.
He added that the SEC is a non-profit organization and would support promising youths.
“The futuristic vision of the center is to work to strengthen small enterprises and promote economic growth in Makkah,” he said.
