Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — Investors in road transportation sector have warned about the high levels of tasattur — the practice of expatriates operating businesses in the name of Saudis — that takes place in the sector, Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported. The investors describe tasattur as cancerous and said something needs to be done to put a stop to it. They add that 95 percent of the medium-sized goods vehicles in the Kingdom's transportation sector are indirectly owned by non-Saudis through tasattur. “Tasattur is a problem that is beyond our control. Not doing something is against the interests of our economy and will eventually undermine the investments we attract. Investing in this sector is very important,” said Saeed Al-Basami, deputy chairman of the National Committee of Road Transportation. Without the help of Saudis, expatriates would be unable to control the industry, he said, adding that many Saudis fail to realize the importance of improving the Kingdom's economy and are only concerned with looking after their interests. “The Ministry of Transport, the Highway Patrol and the Passports Department should work together to put an end to this problem,” he added. Medium sized trucks are usually purchased from firms such as Toyota, Mitsubishi and Isuzu by Saudis who also apply for licenses from the Ministry of Transport. Once approved, the operating of the entire businesses is handed over to expatriates who monopolize charges. Most of those involved usually transfer profits illegally back to their countries of origin and pay up to SR1,000 a month to the Saudi in whose name the business operates. A similar fate has also befallen the Kingdom's taxicab sector. “Expatriate workers who engage in tasattur have made it difficult for Saudis cabdrivers to earn an honorable living,” said Al-Basami. Abdullatif Al-Hameen, a member of the Road Transport Committee at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said expatriate workers often steal diesel and sell banned products. “They also sell faulty and sub-standard goods at gas stations and repair shops, including worn tires and used car oil, which have the potential to jeopardize people's safety. The only thing that expatriate workers care about is how to make money by hook or by crook,” he said. As a result, leading businessmen are calling on the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to send inspectors to carry out spot inspections on all trucks. Salim Al-Bolo'wee, another member of the Road Transport Committee at the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry, called for stricter penalties on anyone found guilty of engaging in tasattur. “There are many trucks that enter the Kingdom from countries like Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and other Gulf countries. They remain in the Kingdom for months when they should ideally unload their goods and return to their countries of origin,” he said. “The problem is the drivers of these trucks collaborate with Saudi companies in order to earn money on the side. Authorities should allow such trucks to stay five days in the country and then impose heavy penalties if they do not leave,” he added.
