The Shoura Council has urged the public for the first time to send their queries and proposals related to business and industry in order to present them to Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of commerce and industry. The Shoura will host the minister on Tuesday.

Saudi businessmen and industrialists have welcomed the Shoura’s move to host the minister and accept citizens’ proposals, saying it would expand public participation in the decision-making process.

“The more such meetings between the legislative body and executives the greater will be its impact on the Kingdom’s economy and progress,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Rabeeah, president of Saudi-Indian Business Council.

He said such meetings would help review certain laws and adopt new decisions to ease trade and exports and strengthen industries. “The meeting comes at a time when Saudi Arabia aims to become an industrial leader,” he told Arab News.

Al-Rabeeah urged the government to focus more on the industrial sector as part of its efforts to diversify revenues. “We should meet the requirements of this vital sector, such as skilled manpower, well-organized industrial facilities and energy supply.”

Speaking about proposals to boost trade, Al-Rabeeah said it requires joint efforts by the Ministries of Commerce, Labor, Interior and Foreign Affairs. “We have to ease visa regulations in order to encourage foreign businessmen and industrialists to visit the Kingdom. We should also ensure adequate supply of manpower.”

During its meeting with Al-Rabiah, the Shoura will discuss the ministry’s achievements and future plans. Al-Rabiah will answer questions of Shoura members.

Abdullah Al-Saihati, chairman of Saihati Group and a prominent businessman in the Eastern Province, urged the minister to take more steps to increase Saudi exports by opening new markets and establishing better relations with other countries. “Measures should also be taken to meet the requirements of the construction sector,” he told Arab News.

Al-Saihati emphasized the need to include training and employment of Saudis when signing contracts with foreign companies.

“This is essential to create jobs for Saudi graduates. Foreign firms winning government contracts should also be asked to purchase Saudi products,” he added.

A Jeddah-based businessman, who requested anonymity, urged the minister to revise the country’s anti-counterfeit goods law in order to make it more effective. He also wanted them to apply tougher punitive measures. He estimated the total value of counterfeit products in the Kingdom at more than SR5 billion.