JEDDAH: Investors have urged the authorities concerned to gradually apply the Saudization rule to the mobile phone sector, so that firms are not forced to leave the market.
One of the investors interviewed by local media also argued that most Saudis do not like the work environment in the mobile sector and might work only until they get a better job in the government department or big firm.
“At least 30% of small firms will move to other sectors if the ministry sticks to its deadline on nationalization of the sector,” Ahmad Al-Toweiriqi, an investor, told local media. He said everybody wants nationalization but the problem is that the ministry is strict on total nationalization.
Al-Toweiriqi wondered how Saudis will be sufficient to cover the big number of shops in the sector. “The Human Resources Development Fund has stated that Saudis are initially taught theory and practicals will follow once the decision is applied. This means that there will be a great risk to customers because you are dealing in millions of riyals.”
He said training in maintenance needs at least two years, during which a technician gets to know all kinds of mobiles and their different parts. “Public shops are legally obliged by the Private Commercial Law to provide a two-year guarantee for every cell phone.”
Bashir Hadad, another investor in the sector, agrees on the negative aspects of total nationalization of the sector if the decision is implemented within a short period.
“The replacement of expatriate workers with nationals in this important sector should not be done rapidly because there are not enough trained Saudis.
One of the investors interviewed by local media also argued that most Saudis do not like the work environment in the mobile sector and might work only until they get a better job in the government department or big firm.
“At least 30% of small firms will move to other sectors if the ministry sticks to its deadline on nationalization of the sector,” Ahmad Al-Toweiriqi, an investor, told local media. He said everybody wants nationalization but the problem is that the ministry is strict on total nationalization.
Al-Toweiriqi wondered how Saudis will be sufficient to cover the big number of shops in the sector. “The Human Resources Development Fund has stated that Saudis are initially taught theory and practicals will follow once the decision is applied. This means that there will be a great risk to customers because you are dealing in millions of riyals.”
He said training in maintenance needs at least two years, during which a technician gets to know all kinds of mobiles and their different parts. “Public shops are legally obliged by the Private Commercial Law to provide a two-year guarantee for every cell phone.”
Bashir Hadad, another investor in the sector, agrees on the negative aspects of total nationalization of the sector if the decision is implemented within a short period.
“The replacement of expatriate workers with nationals in this important sector should not be done rapidly because there are not enough trained Saudis.
