Thirty local firms, foreign investors and individuals have applied for licenses to run some of the country's highway fuel stations, an official at the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) said here recently.

There are an estimated 1,000 highway fuel stations that need development to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and other bodies, said Riyadh Al-Malek, chairman of the CSC's national committee for fuel stations.

Al-Malek said the CSC would assess the applicants to see whether they qualify for the licenses.

He said the ministry would stop all unqualified individuals and firms from operating stations in 18 months. These operators would have an opportunity to apply for licenses, he said. He said eight firms currently operating in the sector are already working to qualify for the licenses by improving their services. Their representatives have had extensive meetings with ministry officials.

"These include Sahel, Naft, Al-Daris and other firms, which have already started developing their locations," he said.

He said the Saudi Automotive Services Company (SASCO) has also developed several locations, and signed agreements with hospitality and food firms. The group also acquired an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certificate from the SCTA, he said.

He said firms are involved in intense competition to improve services. However, they are not competing to acquire fuel stations.

"Over the next period we will see many of these fuel stations offered for sale because their owners cannot meet the qualification requirements."

Stations currently operated by unqualified parties would be offered either for sale, lease or investment. The CSC is encouraging its members to invest in these stations, he said.