Saudi Gazette report

 

JEDDAH — A Saudization committee working in Jeddah’s central fruit and vegetable market has caught an Indian expatriate who was running a business worth more than SR5 million, local daily Al-Madinah reported on Wednesday. The man was not identified but he apparently ran his business from his mobile phone while sitting comfortably in his luxurious car.



The committee is also looking for another Indian who is running a flourishing business in the fruit and vegetable market through tasattur (expatriates doing business in the names of Saudis).



The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has prevented expatriates from doing wholesale business in the central fruit and vegetable markets but allowed them to buy enough to satisfy their household needs.



Ahmed Al-Sulami, the committee's chairman, called for further reinforcing the Saudization process in the market and asked for the presence of more security men to support the committee's efforts to nab illegal expatriates.



“Tasattur businesses account for more than half of traders at the Jeddah vegetable market and the committee, with the help of traders, is making strenuous efforts to curb this phenomenon,” he said.



Saudi fruit and vegetable traders confirmed the existence of tasattur operations in the market and said the expatriates are running their businesses by purchasing and selling produce from other Arab markets.



Fahd Al-Ghamdi, a vegetable trader, said a number of Syrian traders who exited the market after Saudi merchants took over are now importing fruits and vegetables from outside and directly distributing them to the supermarkets, hotels and restaurants.



He said: “Vegetable merchants should be members of the Saudization committee to be able to fight tasattur.



“The tasattur operations in the vegetable market can only be fought by the Saudi traders who are aware of the expatriates' methods of doing business.” Mohammed Qalit, another Saudi vegetable trader, said the expatriates, who were believed to be in full control of the vegetable market in the past, are now carrying out their business in Jeddah while based in Arab and GCC markets.



“The expatriates even have the power to dump our vegetable market and control prices,” he said.



Jayyar Al-Bishi, a Saudi merchant, said tasattur businesses are prevalent in all central vegetable markets in the Kingdom and suggested young Saudis be allowed to set up small vegetable and fruit markets in various neighborhoods in Jeddah. “This will provide young Saudis with more work opportunities and will end the tasattur practice,” he said.