RIYDAH: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry reiterated Wednesday that it was determined to Saudize the mobile phone industry, and warned that those involved in cover-up businesses face two-year jail, a SR1 million fine and deportation for expats. It said the measure would create 20,000 jobs for citizens, covering sales, maintenance and accessories by Sept. 2 this year, as outlined earlier this month by the Ministry of Labor.

The initiative includes the participation of the commerce and industry, municipal and rural affairs, and communications and information technology ministries. Representatives from the Human Resources Development Fund, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, and General Organization for Social Insurance would also participate.

The government plans to achieve 50 percent Saudization in the coming three months and 100 percent in six months ending on Sept. 2. The aim of the drive is to create stable and sustainable jobs for Saudi men and women, and minimize cover-up activities in small, medium and large businesses.

Recently, the TVTC announced that it would conduct training courses to prepare young Saudis to replace their expatriate counterparts in customer service, maintenance and entrepreneurship, while the HRDF would provide support services to enterprises and job seekers.

The TVTC also announced that over 33,000 Saudis have already applied for the training courses. The commerce ministry has already conducted inspections of cellphone stores in preparation for its Saudization drive, and to identify cover-up businesses.