JEDDAH: More than 52 percent of women in Saudi Arabia believe that the perception that they are not equipped with the necessary skill sets to join the workforce in the Kingdom is the biggest myth hindering their success and employment. This is according to new research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network with more than 546 million members.
At the same time, more than 60 percent of Saudi women and recruiters agree there is great progress and efforts in the Kingdom toward achieving Saudi Arabia’s vision to increase women’s participation in the workforce from 22 to 30 percent by 2030.
The research is part of LinkedIn’s “Hear It From Me” (Esmaaha Menni) campaign which encourages women in Saudi to showcase their skills and build their professional brand on the platform in order to be found and hired for key roles across Saudi companies, fulfilling the country’s 2030 strategy goals.
According to the research, one in two (52 percent) recruiters believe that gender equality leads to higher productivity, while 40 percent believe the key benefit of hiring men and women equally is that it advances a creative culture, indicating a willingness to provide more opportunities for women.
However, while they are ready to join the workforce, 37 percent of Saudi women believe employers still need to do more to hire them in key roles and more than a third (38 percent) find that the hardest thing about getting a job in Saudi Arabia is finding the right opportunity to match their expectations.
Looking at LinkedIn’s insights, it was noted that more than 63 percent of Saudi women members have indicated completing bachelor’s degrees, exceeding other developed countries, such as the United States which comes in at 57 percent. On the other hand, more than 17 percent have completed a master’s degree, demonstrating the efforts Saudi women are taking in equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge and skill sets. The top three fields of study for women in Saudi are business management and administration, followed by computer science and health science.
There are currently various efforts from companies and entities in the Kingdom that support gender diversity. Among them are Takamol, the government company and partner of the Ministry of Labor and social development in Saudi Arabia which directly supports women’s employment in the Kingdom.
Dr. Ahmad Al-Yamani, CEO of Takamol said: “Since the establishment of Takamol Holding, the employment of women and increasing their participation in the workforce has been a crucial priority and one of the reasons behind the success of the firm’s initiatives and projects.
“In fact, women make up 33 percent of the total number of employees at Takamol. In line with the Saudi Vision 2030 which aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce, Takamol Holding launched several programs to empower women in the Saudi workforce including Wusool, Qurrah, Tojjar, which is an electronic platform, and Bahr.
“At Takamol Holding, we will continue, through our social development partnerships, to support all initiatives and projects aligned with the Vision, which can only be achieved through the mutual cooperation of both men and women who are able to fulfill our highest ambitions and contribute to a positive economy.”
In recent months, great progress has been made in the Kingdom specifically for women to obtain leading positions in the Saudi workforce. One great example is Dr. Hayat Sindi, who was one of the first female members to join the consultative assembly of Saudi Arabia. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the UN Secretary-General as well as a UNESCO goodwill ambassador.
Commenting on the role of society to help women enter the Kingdom’s workforce, Sindi said: “Indeed, a lot is being done in Saudi Arabia to empower women. Over the coming few years, it is crucial that we continue to take positive action to increase women’s role in major industries such as science and technology. This can be achieved through making careers in these industries more accessible and attractive to women.
“We also need to continue extending our support to more women professionals to help transform them into leaders in their respective fields through providing the courses and education needed. This will help unleash women’s potential faster and would be a win for society.”
Reem Mohamed, head of public sector for KSA at LinkedIn, said: “Our main mission is to connect everyone in the global workforce with economic opportunity. Today we have around 4,500 job opportunities available in Saudi Arabia on LinkedIn and so we are encouraging professionals to use our platform to build their professional brand and as a result become more visible to potential employers and recruiters.”
She concluded: “In this new era, creating a skilled and balanced workforce can only be achieved through collaborative actions from both sides. LinkedIn’s role is to bridge the gap between employers and professionals by providing a platform where these two audiences can easily find and connect with each other. For the women who are keen to further their careers, they need to ensure they are visible to recruiters by using platforms such as LinkedIn, so they can start to change this narrative, and the Kingdom can thrive by creating a more productive and creative workforce.”
Over 52% Saudi women reject myth about their lack of employment skills
Over 52% Saudi women reject myth about their lack of employment skills
- The research is part of LinkedIn’s “Hear It From Me” (Esmaaha Menni) campaign which encourages women in Saudi to showcase their skills and build their professional brand on the platform.
- More than 63 percent of Saudi women members have completed their bachelor’s degrees, exceeding other developed countries.
From Seoul to Saudi: How Korean and Japanese stores are influencing Saudi tastes
- Exotic flavors find favor in Saudi cities
- Food trend spurred by pop stars and TV dramas
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s streets are no stranger to international flavors, but in recent years, Korean and Japanese specialty supermarkets have found new popularity. From rows of instant noodles and savory sauces to unique skincare products, these stores offer a slice of East Asia in the heart of Saudi Arabia. Cities like Riyadh and Alkhobar are embracing this cultural and culinary fusion, highlighting the growing appetite for global experiences among Saudis, driven by the influence of entertainment and a desire for novelty.
Korean culture, spearheaded by the global phenomenon of K-pop and K-dramas, has taken the world by storm, and Saudi Arabia is no exception. For Fahad Al-Salmi, the owner of the Japanese and Korean Mart in Riyadh, this cultural wave was a business opportunity waiting to happen. “Our decision to open a Korean supermarket in Saudi Arabia was driven by a growing interest in Korean culture, particularly through K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cuisine,” Al-Salmi told Arab News.
“Many Saudis are curious about trying new flavors and exploring international cultures, and Korea has become a popular trend. We saw an opportunity to introduce authentic Korean products to satisfy that demand and to offer a unique experience for local customers,” he added.
This curiosity is translating into tangible lifestyle changes. Korean snacks, instant noodles, and condiments like gochujang (Korean chili paste) and soy sauce have become staples for many families. Al-Salmi observes that these products are now becoming integrated into everyday meals for many Saudi households. “With the influence of Korean entertainment, many Saudis are more open to trying international foods and incorporating them into their diets,” he noted.
HIGHLIGHTS
• While Riyadh has witnessed a growing number of specialty stores, cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are also joining the movement.
• By offering authentic and unique products, Korean and Japanese supermarkets are creating connections between cultures.
For Abdusalam Thodi, the owner of Kimchi Supermarket in Riyadh, the inspiration was personal. “I was inspired by Korea to open a Korean supermarket because I studied there,” shared Thodi. “Our bestsellers are Korean noodles and sauces, but we also offer a wide range of cultural products and specialty foods. Korean cuisine and culture are rapidly growing in popularity here in Saudi Arabia, and we’re proud to be part of this exciting trend.”
While Riyadh has witnessed a growing number of these specialty stores, cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are also joining the movement. The expansion into these regions highlights the nationwide appeal of Korean and Japanese supermarkets, catering to the tastes and preferences of Saudis across the Kingdom.
The allure of these supermarkets extends far beyond their aisles. They offer customers the chance to engage with a lifestyle that, until recently, was only accessible through screens. For long-time K-drama fan Fatimah Al-Dossari, the emergence of Korean supermarkets has been a dream come true.
With the influence of Korean entertainment, many Saudis are more open to trying international foods and incorporating them into their diets.
Fahad Al-Salmi, Japanese and Korean Mart owner
“I’ve been watching Korean dramas for 20 years, and I never imagined I’d get to try the food they enjoy on screen!” said Al-Dossari. “It’s amazing to see so many supermarkets now offering popular Korean snacks, noodles, cooking sauces, and seasonings. I couldn’t be happier — shopping for these items has become a regular treat for me every three weeks!"
Zainab Al-Salman, a frequent customer, describes the experience of shopping at these stores as a unique cultural adventure. “Trying new things that represent a different culture is always a great way to get to know this culture in your home and have a fun time exploring it,” she said. “Every time I go, it’s like visiting a museum. I tend to feel happy and joyful trying to pick what I will try next that I haven’t tried before.”
Al-Salman also appreciates the practical advantages of these markets. “Specialty markets often offer more options than just one section in other regular markets, and sometimes they are even cheaper,” she added.
The availability of Korean and Japanese products is fostering new habits in families. Al-Salman shared how her family’s shopping behavior has evolved thanks to these specialty supermarkets.
“Yes, it did help me build some habits like buying a kimchi bowl every few months for the family,” she explained. “That opened their eyes to other different things.”
Korean and Japanese supermarkets offer products and experiences that traditional supermarkets cannot replicate.
“Some of these products are not popular (enough) to be produced and sold in our markets, like different types of skincare products that are more effective than others,” noted Al-Salman. “This makes the supermarkets more attractive due to having more options to choose between.”
Al-Salman described how specialty markets provide a sense of wonder for shoppers. “For people who’ve never visited, their first visit is always like a good experience for them to see different things than a regular market,” she said.
For business owners like Al-Salmi and Thodi, the journey is as rewarding as it is exciting. By offering authentic and unique products, they are creating connections between cultures.
As Al-Dossari summed it up: “It’s amazing to see how food can bring people closer to a culture.”
With the growing influence of global cultures, Saudi Arabia’s retail sector is transforming, one supermarket aisle at a time. Cities like Alkhobar and Al-Shamalia are now key players in this transformation, ensuring that the bond between cultures continues to grow stronger with each passing year.
Qassim’s berry farms revolutionizing Saudi agriculture
- Local produce matching global quality standards
- Advanced hydroponics vital to success, says expert
QASSIM: The Qassim region has become the leading producer of strawberries and blueberries in Saudi Arabia, challenging international imports with produce that matches global quality standards, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
This success has been driven by many farmers’ ambition to innovate, modernize, and create quality alternatives to imported varieties.
The path to premium berry production in Qassim required multiple developments, agricultural engineer Saleh Ibrahim Al-Keaid told the SPA.
Al-Keaid said that the journey to excellence involved extensive research and collaboration with international experts.
“We spent a full year experimenting with different varieties and agricultural elements to achieve our current success,” he said.
The result is a premium product that rivals American and European berries in quality, size and yield.
FASTFACTS
• Modern approach to farming prioritizes organic farming methods, ensuring all fertilizers and pesticides meet strict safety standards.
• Advanced hydropnic systems utilize vertical farming towers — up to seven levels high —equipped with volcanic rock substrates and top-down irrigation.
These types of fruits are sensitive, requiring special soil, complementary elements, and suitable conditions through protected greenhouses.
The success hinges on innovative farming techniques, particularly the adoption of advanced hydroponic systems.
These systems utilize vertical farming towers — up to seven levels high —equipped with volcanic rock substrates and top-down irrigation.
This modern approach prioritizes organic farming methods, ensuring all fertilizers and pesticides meet strict safety standards.
Perhaps most impressive are the efficiency gains. According to Al-Keaid, the hydroponic system achieves remarkable water conservation, reducing consumption by 80 percent compared to traditional methods.
Additionally, the production capacity in hydroponic farming is multiple times that of soil-based farming.
The space efficiency is equally striking: a single greenhouse of 360 sq. meters can accommodate 9,000 seedlings — approximately triple the capacity of conventional soil-based farming.
Furthermore, caring for the seedlings is easier, requires less effort, and uses fewer fertilizers compared to soil-based farming.
How a Saudi royal reserve combines sustainability with support for the local community
- Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve promotes educational partnerships, controlled grazing, and sustainable hunting
- Authority CEO Mohammed Al-Shaalan says community engagement links environmental protection with economic development
RIYADH: The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve in northern Saudi Arabia was established in 2018 to help preserve a thriving natural environment and to promote a sustainable local economy, free from overgrazing and unregulated hunting.
Committed to enhancing the quality of life for the local community, the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Reserve Development Authority works to protect biodiversity while engaging residents as stakeholders in advancing its environmental and development goals.
Headquartered in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, the authority invites residents to take part in educational programs, workshops, and collaborations to actively protect the environment and promote sustainable livelihoods.
This collaboration includes specialized training courses held in partnership with educational and development institutions, including the University of Hail, Northern Border University, and the Human Resources Development Fund.
These courses are designed to equip the community with the skills needed to support the reserve’s environmental and development goals, including the effort to increase vegetation through tree planting and the prevention of logging.
“Seven hundred thousand trees have been planted” since the reserve was established, Mohammed Al-Shaalan, the authority’s CEO, told Arab News on the sidelines of the UN conference on biodiversity, COP16, in Riyadh last month.
“Because of the plantation and the protection, the normalized difference vegetation index has increased from 2 percent to 8 percent over the past four years, which tells us that if we give a little bit of breath for the environment, it could restore itself very fast.”
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The index is a measure for assessing vegetation health and density using sensor data, helping track changes in plant health.
The reserve’s efforts align with the Kingdom’s goal of planting 10 billion trees by 2100 as part of the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to rehabilitate more than 74 million hectares of land.
To date, more than 70 million trees have been planted nationwide.
In addition to its commitment to enhancing biodiversity, the reserve provides valuable resources for the local community. It grants controlled access to local herders, allowing their animals to graze and maintain a healthy biocycle for plants.
The reserve issues special permits for grazing in designated areas, allowing livestock owners to sustainably utilize the vegetation. This organized grazing process helps mitigate risks associated with excessive growth, including the potential for wildfires.
Among the local herders who frequently visits the reserve to graze his cattle is Farhan Al-Rughailan. He believes allowing livestock to graze helps maintain plant health, prevents diseases, and ensures sustainable use of the reserve’s resources.
hen plants are growing, they must be cut regularly, otherwise they become poisonous if they stay for too long without animals grazing on them,” he told Arab News.
Like other herders, Al-Rughailan is only permitted to visit the reserve during specific times specified on his permit. The policy has helped reduce the economic cost of feeding livestock.
“As a royal reserve, one of our mandates is the local community, and we have to take care of it,” said authority CEO Al-Shaalan.
“Today, we have more than 150 livestock, between camels and sheep, and livestock breeders in the local community are used to paying SAR 100 million ($26.6 million) to SAR 120 million to buy food for livestock. So, instead of buying hay and livestock feed, we allow them to graze.”
In addition to sustainable grazing, the authority has introduced sustainable hunting in a designated area located in the northern part of the reserve, which is also intended to support the local community without harming the ecosystem.
Although the sustainable hunting area makes up just 2.18 percent of the reserve’s total area, it provides a valuable boost to the local economy. Prey is raised in a controlled environment to ensure the sustainability of targeted species while preserving the reserve’s ecosystem.
DID YOUKNOW?
• The Imam Turki Royal Reserve employs 180 rangers to monitor and address issues related to wildlife and plants.
• According to its CEO, nearly 90 percent of the reserve is now protected.
• The Royal Reserve’s Development Authority uses drone technology to monitor and protect the environment.
• The reserve offers volunteer opportunities, fostering cooperation and environmental responsibility within the community.
Hunting is a popular activity for both locals and tourists in Saudi Arabia, but it has historically had a negative impact on native wildlife. Overhunting in the past has led to the decline of species such as the Arabian leopard, ibex, and oryx.
Today, the Kingdom’s Environmental Law and executive regulations prohibit the trade, killing, or hunting of endangered wildlife species, along with their derivatives and products. Violators can face fines of up to SAR 30 million, 10 years in prison, or both.
“Instead of people going and hunting in the wilderness, we provide a sustainable production of wildlife that we can release for hunting,” said Al-Shaalan.
This model was adopted by the UN in 1992, with the biodiversity agreement recognizing sustainable hunting as a conservation tool, affirming that wildlife can be preserved by allowing controlled hunting.
“There are always people who want to hunt,” he said. “But if you give them a legitimate way to hunt, it will reduce the pressure on wildlife.”
MWL sends condolences to Montenegro shooting victims
- The organization affirmed its full solidarity with Montenegro in this difficult period
MAKKAH: The Muslim World League has extended its condolences and sympathies to the government and people of Montenegro, as well as to the families of the victims, following the shooting incident in Cetinje, resulting in deaths and injuries to several people.
The organization affirmed its full solidarity with Montenegro in this difficult period.
Attempts to smuggle over 220k banned pills thwarted
- Mina’s customs officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle 34,084 Captagon pills, which were found hidden inside the driver seat cavity of a truck that entered the Kingdom
RIYADH: The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority thwarted three attempts — at the King Fahd Causeway, Al-Haditha and Mina crossings — to smuggle over 220,000 banned pills found hidden in vehicles that entered the Kingdom, as well as in a passenger’s luggage.
The authority clarified that in the first attempt, the King Fahd Causeway’s customs agents halted an attempt to smuggle 120,370 Captagon pills, in addition to 45,975 other banned pills, which were found hidden inside four door cavities of a vehicle that entered the Kingdom through the crossing.
In the second attempt, Al-Haditha’s customs officers stopped an attempt to smuggle 21,011 Captagon pills, which were found in the luggage of a passenger that entered the Kingdom through the crossing.
During the third attempt, Mina’s customs officials intercepted an attempt to smuggle 34,084 Captagon pills, which were found hidden inside the driver seat cavity of a truck that entered the Kingdom.
