DAMMAM — The Ministry of Labor and Social Development is looking into supporting newlywed couples with up to SR50,000 in loans. A source said the Commission of Experts in the Council of Ministers has asked the ministry to conduct a comprehensive study of the financial aspect of marriages today in Saudi society. "The study should look into the reasons for delayed marriages and propose possible solutions. The commission demanded that the ministry make available loans for marriage to help grooms pay for dowry and other expenses and help the bride with special requests for the wedding or the home," said the source. The source also said the commission urged the ministry to find out how such loans are spent in order to help it in providing better loans and to understand the needs of newlywed couples. "The commission also recommended the ministry look into the role public sector directorates play in supporting newlywed couples and the role private sector companies and services providers play in supporting newlywed couples. The ministry should look into all forms of support offered whether financial, material or social in order to have a comprehensive view on the status of married couples today," said the source. The source also said the ministry should learn from the experience of several social and public directorates in dealing with supporting newlywed couples and the experiences of the Saudi Credit and Saving Bank in granting loans to newlywed couples. "The increase in marriage-related expenses has made marriage very hard for many young men. The ministry should study the average income of single men looking to get married and the average rate of dowry which has been increasing lately," said the source. The source also said booming property prices and interest rates constitute a further burden on many young men who are just looking to start their lives. "The commission previously proposed that Saudi men wishing to marry Saudi women be provided with SR50,000 in financial aid. This only applied to men who have a less than SR9,000 monthly salary. The proposal was rejected but the commission is now conducting a study to look into the obstacles that led to the refusal of the proposal," said the source. The source said the commission is also closely analyzing the reports of the ministries of labor and social development, finance and culture and information. "The Saudi Credit and Savings Bank currently offers loans and not financial support to newlywed couples. The charity organizations are only donating to underprivileged newlywed couples. The Ministry of Culture and Information announced that there must be an awareness campaigns to advocate marriage and show the services and aid available for newlywed couples," said the source. The source also said the Ministry of Culture and Information proposed that the funds allocated and profit earned from sporting events can be reallocated to support the cause of marriage.
