On June 3rd Saudi Arabia named Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi as minister of labor and social development. The appointment supports the actions of Saudi’s Vision 2030, as he is expected to diversify the economy and create more jobs with a heavy focus on culture and religion.
Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al Rajhi is the Kingdom’s 18th labor minister. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran city. He is the chairman of the Board of Saudi Chambers, in addition to the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also the first deputy chairman of the federation of GCC Chambers and succeeded Ali bin Nasser Al-Ghafis from the position. He is one of the youngest sons of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, a well-known Saudi businessman.
Al Rajhi’s tasks will include seeking to reduce the country’s unemployment rate of 12.8%. Job creation in the Kingdom has been a key element of Vision 2030 with reforms to boost the private sector, Saudization, more women in the workplace, and more opportunities for Saudi graduates.
The new appointment, which is the third labor minister in three years, shows the commitment to the plans outlined in Vision 2030.
Getting over 600,000 unemployed Saudis into the workforce is a major challenge for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Al Rajhi will be a key addition to achieving the ambitious goals of creating create 1.2 million jobs by 2022, reducing unemployment to 9%.
Al Rajhi is expected to create a friendly business environment, promote communication between the public and private sector, as well as help support small and medium enterprises.
