According to the report, more than two million jobs were created in the private sector during the past five years, of which Saudis only constituted about ten percent. In other words, Saudization of jobs in the private sector went down from thirteen percent in 2008 to ten percent last year.

These figures show that the Saudization policy we have been adopting during the past years has not borne fruit. Especially the Five-Year Development Plan goal to curb the unemployment rate to three percent in 2009 has failed. The current situation requires a rapid treatment based on three pillars: Education, training, and legislature.

Immense efforts are required to correct education. Although some efforts are already made, they take time to become visible. We, therefore, cannot merely wait for the results of educational efforts to fight unemployment. As a matter of fact, the World Economic Forum put the Kingdom only in the 51st position among countries with high and medium income.

Training and legislation are interlinked factors. Strict measures need to be taken to limit foreign recruitment of manpower for jobs such as salesmen, drivers, hotel employees, distribution employees, and advertisement agencies’ staff. Moreover, intensive training is required for Saudis to take these positions. The government has an important financial role in this.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah announced a number of decisions to combat unemployment, housing, and corruption — factors that significantly weaken the Saudi economy. These decisions undoubtedly represented a leap in the right direction.

However, although the king ordered the employment of thousands of young Saudis, the numbers of foreigners entering into the labor market surpass these figures by far: We grant about two million work visas to foreigners every year, but we are unable to find 200,000 jobs for Saudis in the private sector.

Unemployment is a very sensitive issue that needs brave and quick solutions. The measures above, however, are important steps in the right direction.