Migration of Saudis

Migration of Saudis

June 01, 2016
Saleh Al-Musallam
Saleh Al-Musallam

Saleh Al-Musallam


SAUDIS are now working and living in different parts of the world. Some of them have left the Kingdom forever while some others have gone to foreign countries for education and never returned. There are others who either work or do business abroad enjoying the openness and incentives and attractive business atmosphere offered by other countries compared to the Kingdom.

Let us discuss the major reasons for the flight of Saudis from the Kingdom as their number is growing year after year. I hope the Vision 2030 declared by Saudi Arabia recently would correct the present negative atmosphere and bring back those Saudis living in foreign countries and the funds they have invested abroad.

Brain drain is the major negative impact of Saudis’ migration to foreign countries as the Kingdom loses highly experienced professionals. My question to the readers is: Are we really facing brain drain or is it just the flight of funds? Do you think the migration of Saudis is a big problem and must be stopped and should we conduct discussions and dialogue to find the reasons behind it?

It is high time that we find viable solutions to stop the migration of Saudi brains. Let me ask our readers what is the main reason for the flight of Saudi funds and families? Are they looking for freedom or better investment opportunities? Or are there other reasons that encourage Saudis to seek new pastures outside the Kingdom to have a stable and pleasant life?

Let us discuss the reasons frankly. In Egypt there are more than 600,000 Saudis and most of them have married to Egyptians. A substantial number of them are retired government employees who have found Egypt a suitable place for relaxation. Many of them live there for economic reasons with investments in various projects and a few others work in the country.

Hundreds of thousands of Saudis live in the GCC countries with Kuwait hosting 200,000 Saudis. A considerable number of them left the Kingdom long time ago during the time of drought and poverty in Najd and other regions and during the period of British colonialists, looking for jobs and livelihood and they settled there.

We are not talking about Saudis who have gone abroad on foreign scholarship for higher studies in American and British universities because we want to highlight those Saudis who have permanently settled in foreign countries for economic and other reasons.

In the UAE, there are more than 300,000 Saudis who have settled there for job and investment. They have found UAE more suitable for investment in terms of openness, flexibility, modern infrastructure and soft regulations. They enjoy peace of mind there. Stronger and viable investment opportunities, simple regulations and absence of routine and bureaucracy are other things that encouraged Saudi investors to settle in the UAE.
Dubai for example offers an attractive business atmosphere. As a result it draws a large number of tourists, visitors and businessmen and businesswomen from all over the world. It has softened investment regulations, offers excellent opportunities to investors, facilitated bank loans, created suitable places of recreation for families.

I believe that the main reasons for Saudi brain drain are bureaucracy and routine, lack of clarity of vision on foreign investment, various agencies making different interpretations on a single issue, and no clear cut measures and systems. Lack of clarity in rights and responsibilities, absence of a long-term plan and strategy and lack of recreation facilities, clubs and shops for families and bachelors are other reasons.

We have to think seriously about fundamental changes in Saudi society to find out what is wrong. We have to set out strategies and start projects to make our cities more attractive and more open to the world. Yes, we have to make our cities more accommodative of investors instead of driving them out. We pin great hope on the Vision 2030 to pave the way for reverse migration of Saudis and return billions of riyals in investment and capital funds and return of highly efficient and experienced professionals to boost the Kingdom’s development.

I am sure a realistic approach on the issue would help bring back those birds who had flown out of the country to return back to their natural habitat with confidence and courage.


June 01, 2016
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