MAKKAH, 6 June 2006 — The Makkah Municipality has worked out a comprehensive plan to reorganize street vendors in order to allow them to practice their business while also establishing some order. Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Miteb has approved the plan.
Explaining the regulations, Makkah Mayor Khaled Nahhas said street vendors should take more than six square meters of space and their shops should comply with architectural standards set by the municipality. “We will allow street vendors to practice their jobs without obstructing traffic and causing disturbance to others,” he said.
The mayor said the reorganization of street vendors came as part of the municipality’s efforts to provide new services to the public and create job opportunities for citizens.
“The municipality is seeking to legalize these activities and keep a watch to make sure that they (the street vendors) do not cause any environmental problems and carry out their work in a civilized manner,” he said.
The municipality has also set out rules and regulations for kiosks and mobile vendors, who sell produce using their vehicles.
