Saudis ‘not taking up jobs in Makkah’

Saudis are not rushing to take up jobs in Makkah despite the expansion projects creating many opportunities in the tourism, construction, finance, telecommunications and transport sectors, according to an investor in the city.
Mohammed Al-Maimani, who has invested in the tourism industry, told Arab News recently that Saudis are reluctant to work in Makkah.
“Most Saudis prefer to work in Jeddah or other cities such as Riyadh and Dammam. Expatriates have now taken up about 60 percent of these jobs in Makkah.”
He said expatriates make up 65 percent of the workforce in the hospitality sector.
Meanwhile, Makkah continues to create jobs that could be taken up by Saudis.
The train project in Makkah has created 279 jobs and it is estimated that the opportunities in the hospitality sector, which employed 562,140 people in 2013, would grow to 668,973 by 2022.
New projects worth more than SR300 billion are being implemented in Makkah to improve services for millions of Haj and Umrah pilgrims. This includes infrastructure, utilities, real estate and the tourism sectors.
Hani Baothman, managing director and chief executive officer of Sidra Capital, told Arab News previously that a great deal of effort is going into making the projects attractive for investors.
This includes working with the Makkah Development Company and supporting the government’s plans. He said there would be enough workers to support the projects over the coming period.