RIYADH — The Council of Ministers on Monday approved a regulation that makes the submission of Saudization certificate issued by the Ministry of Labor mandatory for private firms to renew licenses or seek any other services. 

 

The weekly session of the Cabinet was chaired by Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdulaziz, deputy premier and minister of defense, at Al-Yamamah Palace here.

 

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Culture and Information Abdulaziz Al-Khudairi said the Saudization certificate will be considered as one of the main documents that must be obtained for renewal or for opening or operating any private sector firm or for the issuance of work visas.

 

The certificate is also required for the renewal of licenses to practice any profession or skill as well as the issuance of commercial registration for the branch of a firm, which did not achieve the required Saudization percentage. 

 

Al-Khudairi said those firms with nine or less employees but no Saudis have also to produce the Saudization certificate for an electricity connection.

The Cabinet also approved adding a new paragraph to Article 3 of the Human Resources Development Fund regulation related to the Fund’s financial sources.

 

The Cabinet approved that the public offering and listing of shares of the new companies will be in accordance with the Capital Market Law and its executive regulations. 

 

At the outset of the session, Crown Prince Salman reassured the Cabinet about the health of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, and thanked all those who inquired about the King’s health. He prayed to Almighty Allah to bestow the King good health and protect him from harm.

 

Al-Khudhairi said the Cabinet expressed its pride in the Kingdom’s wise economic policy, which has been insulated against global economic fluctuations and a drop in oil prices.

 

The Cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s new budget with a continued focus on spending to further boost comprehensive and balanced development, as well as to improve services provided to citizens, and create more job opportunities in public and private sectors. 

 

The Cabinet also noted the King’s budget speech, which emphasized the responsibility of all to maintain the Kingdom’s stability and security so as to continue its march of growth and development. 

 

It also emphasized the King’s call on all officials to exert maximum efforts to implement the budget’s programs and projects effectively and qualitatively to achieve its goals.

 

Al-Khudhairi said the Cabinet expressed the Kingdom’s regret over the failure of the UN Security Council to agree on a draft resolution to end the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. 

 

It renewed the Kingdom’s appeal to the Security Council to carry out its responsibilities to end the Israeli occupation. The Cabinet also stressed the importance of beefing up the Arab diplomatic initiative in support of the Palestinian cause.