JEDDAH, 21 May 2004 — The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is considering the introduction of uniform opening hours for all shops and commercial centers in the Kingdom, Deputy Minister for Industrial Affairs Dr. Osama Abu Gharara said.
At present, there is no unified system governing the opening hours of businesses, which are left to the discretion of private firms.
The deputy minister’s announcement came during a visit to Zulfi province, north of Riyadh, where he toured the ministry branch offices and the premises of the local Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
He said the purpose of the visit was to identify the needs of the local business community in a province known for its factories producing a variety of industrial products.
Dr. Abu Gharara said he was impressed by the industrial drive in the province and praised local factories producing accessories that are exported to 19 countries. He toured a number of factories including some for welding material, plastics and water treatment.
On another topic, Dr. Abu Gharara said the ministry was not responsible for the postponements of the annual general meetings of public companies, blaming the companies themselves for the delays. The ministry, he said, does not stall on any application presented to it as long as it meets the requirements concerning the meeting and its agenda.
