Okaz/Saudi Gazette BURAIDAH — A group of young Saudi women in the central region of Qassim have established a women-only restaurant in their bid to fight unemployment. They compete with their male counterparts in the food and catering sector to grab their share of the market. The women received big support from Saudi families and individuals who prefer to purchase food from this restaurant. "Within three months after its opening the restaurant received wide publicity because of the quality of food and its strategic location in the center of Buraidah city," said Sami Al-Qariaan. "We are getting a lot of male customers as we supply their orders without delay. We also supply local food items that attract people of Qassim in large numbers," said Asma Ibrahim, a worker at the restaurant. "This is a great move by a group of women who can cook well and are capable of supplying high standard hygienic food," she said, adding that the restaurant is the first of its kind in the region. "We have obtained license from the municipality to open the restaurant fulfilling all conditions," Ibrahim told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "We satisfy the various tastes of our customers." She said the restaurant offers buffet services for different functions. "We have found open buffets as an encouraging experiment," she added. Nawal Obaid, the marketing officer, said the restaurant is now moving in the right direction. "The food and catering market is currently dominated by expatriates by 99 percent." She hoped that the Labor and Social Development Ministry would encourage women to open such restaurants by giving them full support. Ali Al-Jarallah and Abdul Aziz Al-Shawi voiced their support to the restaurant and urged young men and women to open such projects to put an end to unemployment. "By giving top priority to cleanliness and quality of food these women can attract a good number of customers and make steady and quick progress," said Al-Jarallah. Al-Shawi urged banks and other financial organizations to fund the projects of Saudi youth, who have capabilities that deserve support. "The restaurant sector is a vast area where many Saudis could find jobs if they work properly after obtaining necessary skills," he added.
