Saudi Gazette report RIYADH – The Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the Ministry of Labor on Tuesday unveiled an executive program for Saudization of jobs in the Kingdom's vital tourism and heritage sector. The program envisages a general review of the estimated jobs expected in the domestic tourism sector until the year 2020 and chalking out a road map of 56 projects between the ministry and SCTA so as to create maximum number of jobs for Saudis in accordance with their age groups and educational standards, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The program was unveiled by SCTA President Prince Sultan Bin Salman and Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih during a meeting at SCTA headquarters here. The draft of the program was signed by Abdul Kareem Al-Najeedi, deputy executive director general of the Human Resources Development Fund (Hadaf), and Salah Al-Bakhit, deputy president of SCTA, in the presence of Prince Sultan and Fakeih. Another agreement for cooperation was also signed between SCTA and Takamul Holding Company for Business Services, which specializes in providing and supporting the services of the ministry and Hadaf. Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Prince Sultan said the program will be implemented by SCTA and the ministry together with Hadaf and other partners. “The program aims at realizing the directives of the state with regard to Saudizing all jobs in the tourism sector, and this will be through active and excellent partnership with the ministry. The national cultural heritage is not simply a sector pertaining to historic buildings or their renovation but rather a major economic sector that creates large number of jobs for Saudis in their respective regions,” he said while identifying several key areas such as operation and maintenance, hospitality, conventions and exhibitions, with huge potential for job creation. On his part, Fakeih said the program will serve the goals of the ministry, SCTA and the state in creating jobs for Saudis in the vital tourism sector in addition to giving a boost to regional economies. “The ministry sees SCTA as the basic partner in creating more jobs and further expanding the Saudi employment market,” he added.
