Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ) Saudi Arabia, an initiative of ALJ Community Initiatives (ALJCI), generated 68,139 job opportunities in the Kingdom during 2013.
The number is yet to be independently verified by external auditors.
This number was achieved in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour represented by the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), the Ministry of Social Affairs represented by the Social Charity Fund, the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank, National Commercial Bank (NCB) and other Governmental authorities.
The opportunities were created throughout the Kingdom via BRJ’s diverse job creation programs.
Reviewing BRJ’s 2013 results, Abdulrahman Al-Fehaid, executive director of BRJ Saudi Arabia, said BRJ has created 28,774 job opportunities during 2013 through its direct employment program Kingdom-wide, more specifically 16,577 for men and 12,197 for women.
This program matches job seekers and available positions in private sector companies, and hosts a database on BRJ’s website of qualified job seekers and participating companies.
Positions in high demand included customer service, sales supervisor, production worker, security guarding, accounting, sales representative, as well as technicians and other professions. Companies, which cooperated with BRJ during 2013, included Al Hukair, Kamal Jamjoom Co., Al-Shaia International, Buba Insurance, Jumaira Baskin Robins, Riyadah Co. Zain Project, Essam Qabani Co., Codu, Eastern Supplies Co., Al Marai, Crystal Factory, Al Rajhi Food Processing Factory, Al-Baik, Shami Factory, Soap Factory, Al Siraye Co., Nask, as well as several other companies.
The vacancies are only made available to job seekers after obtaining an official statement from the employers as per their validity.
According to Rola Basamad, general manager of the Female Employment Center in BRJ, the center has created 12,197 job opportunities within a large number of companies.
She said more women are approaching BRJ every day to be interviewed and apply for jobs.
The “Working from Distance” program created 3,399 job opportunities for women.
This is a new BRJ program, which lets women work without the need to go to the workplace, meeting the needs of their family environment, opening up new fields of employment, thus creates more job opportunities to satisfy demand.
The program offers several positions, such as in telesales and marketing, telemarketing, call centers, customer service, as well as other jobs.
The program was well received by candidates, as it provides jobs suitable to all ages, and saves the employee transportation costs, and leverages their time and energy.
University students and fresh graduates welcomed the program and several educational institutions supported the idea, such as the Girls Technical Colleges, Prince Salman Community Center, as well as several national training institutes.
Among the companies cooperating with the program are Avon Makeup, Beauty for Eve Factory, Delta, Mobily, Initial Red Impact and Unilever.
The goal to have more women working in factories has been another achievement this year, with a rise in positions dedicated to females including quality controllers, storekeepers, production workers, production line supervisors, machine operators and shift supervisors.
In addition, women are employed in factories in positions as female division directors, HR coordinators, coaches, security and safety supervisors and factory lab technicians
Yousuf Jastanya, BRJ general manager of the Riyadh area, said BRJ has created 29,625 job opportunities during 2013 through the productive household program.
Nora Aseeri, BRJ Female Division Manager in Riyadh explained that the program is based on a microfinance concept, which provides interest-free loans starting at SR 3,000 granted to a group of three to five women.
The program empowers the group members to start their own micro projects, such as in selling accessories, perfumes, perfume mixtures, wedding accessories, gift-wrapping, photography, tailoring and embroidery and other fields, which are mostly set up at home.
Nora said that by the end of 2013, the loan collection ratio reached 96 percent.
Through this program, BRJ facilitated the creation of 7,321 projects in the Western Province, 6,598 in Eastern Province, 5,823 in the Southern Province, 5,603 in the Northern Province and the Central Province with 4,280 projects.
According to Ahmed Muqalam, BRJ general manager of Madina, Yanbu, Tabuk, Hail and Al Ghazala, the small projects finance program created 2,812 job opportunities during 2013.
The program financed 568 small projects run by men and 2,244 by women.
The program provides young men and women, who have creative ideas but lack the financial resources, with interest-free loans of up to SR 200,000 to implement new or expand existing projects.
Muqalam said BRJ branches in the Western Province supported the creation of 781 small projects during 2013, followed by the 677 in the Central Province, Northern Province (514), Eastern Province (495) and Southern Province (345).
Ahmed Al-Zahrani, BRJ Manager in the Eastern Province announced that the training resulting in employment program created 2,145 job opportunities throughout the Kingdom during 2013, of which 698 were for men and 1,447 for women.
In this program, young men and women receive training to sharpen their skills in areas required by the labor market.
All training courses organized through this program result in positions within the private sector.
Training courses conducted during 2013 included mechanical, electrical and welding engineering.
Companies, which cooperated with the program, included Toyota, Hilton Hotels, Mabco Co., Morsal Village, as well as various other companies.
According to Tariq Maghfouri, BRJ manager in the Southern Province (Assir, Jazan, Bah and Qunfuda), the taxi ownership program created 579 job opportunities during 2013. In this program, young Saudi men own their vehicles after paying them off in instalments, and work as taxi drivers.
Ahmed Bashnaini, manager of the truck ownership program, said that during the same year, 462 young men benefited from this program which allows young Saudi men to own trucks, also after paying them off, using them to transport goods, vegetables, equipment and passengers.
As part of the BRJ activities and programs, the Nafisa Shams Academy for Arts and Crafts provided training for 2,070 female trainees during 2013 in different fields.
Jawaher Al-Zahrani, general manager of Nafisa Shams Academy for Arts and Crafts, stated that the academy organized diverse training courses, based on the requirements of the labor market.
The academy organized courses in tailoring, fashion design, cooking, photography, carpet production and secretarial work.
Other job opportunities were created for 343 women through the ‘Working from Home’ program, which is also supervised by the Nafisa Shams Academy for Arts and Crafts. Beneficiaries of this program produced around 95,101 prayer rugs sold to Toyota, Lexus and other public and private organizations.
Al-Fehaid said the employment opportunities generated aren’t necessarily the typical monthly-paid positions, but could be a long-term job, as much as a fixed compensation job, part-time work, be a business, such as a small project, self-employment, such as a taxi owner, or a sales person with commission, or any other available opportunity that could generate a sufficient and stable income for the beneficiary.
“At BRJ, we are seeking to create job opportunities for Saudis in cooperation with several Governmental bodies, such as the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), Saudi Credit and Savings Bank, Ministry of Labour’s offices, Social Charity Fund, Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), Chambers of Commerce and Industry, as well as other public organizations which support our programs,” Al-Fehaid added.
“We at BRJ constantly develop our procedures to be as flexible as possible to ensure we can create the maximum number of job opportunities for young Saudi men and women through our 24 branches in the Kingdom. The branches are staffed with our team of 478 job creators, of which 251 are dedicated to our male, and 227 to our female, job seekers. By the end of 2013, the number of men and women who benefited from our existing loans reached 40,118. The total of loans granted in 2013 has reached SR 438,669,913, while the total of loans granted between 2003 and 2013 came to SR 1,655,972,997,” Al Fehaid added.
The 68,139 job opportunities created during 2013, represents a record of positions created in one year, since BRJ’s inception in 2003. With this record, the total number of job opportunities created since BRJ Saudi Arabia came into being, has jumped to 334,688 in the Kingdom.
BRJ is planning to create another 75,000 job opportunities during 2014.
An independent auditor has been assigned to verify and approve results on a quarterly basis.
Bab Rizq Jameel creates record job opportunities in 2013
Bab Rizq Jameel creates record job opportunities in 2013
Saudi Arabia leads MENA startup funding in April with $158.5m
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia led startup funding across the Middle East and North Africa in April 2025, attracting $158.5 million across eight deals — accounting for more than two-thirds of the region’s total investment for the month.
The Kingdom’s dominant performance was largely driven by iMENA Group’s $135 million pre-initial public offering round, placing it ahead of the UAE, which followed with $62 million raised across nine startups.
In total, MENA startups secured $228.4 million in April through 26 deals, marking a 105 percent increase from March and nearly triple the amount raised in April 2024, according to Wamda’s monthly report.
Notably, the month’s funding activity featured no debt financing.
“Interestingly, the absence of debt-financed deals in April highlights growing investor confidence in equity-based funding — a trend reflecting a healthier capital environment,” the report stated.
Morocco ranked third regionally, raising $4 million across two startups, while Egypt lagged behind with just $1.5 million secured by four companies.
Early-stage ventures led in deal volume, bringing in $49 million through 20 transactions. Late-stage activity was concentrated entirely in iMENA’s pre-IPO round.
By sector, fintech remained the top draw for investors, attracting $44 million across seven transactions. Traveltech also gained momentum, driven by HRA Experience’s deal, while e-commerce startups raised $2.5 million across three deals.
Software-as-a-service ventures made a comeback after a quiet first quarter, securing $1.8 million from three transactions.
In terms of business models, business-to-business startups dominated, raising $180 million across 12 deals.
Business-to-consumer ventures followed with $43 million from seven transactions, while six companies operating both B2B and B2C models accounted for the rest of the disclosed funding.
Gender disparities in startup funding persisted in April. Female-led startups secured less than $500,000 in total, while male-founded ventures captured 97 percent of all disclosed capital. Startups co-founded by men and women raised an additional $6.5 million.
Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in green at 11,422
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose on Monday, gaining 11.45 points, or 0.10 percent, to close at 11,422.95.
The total trading turnover of the benchmark index was SR5.21 billion ($1.39 billion), as 153 stocks advanced, while 84 retreated.
The Kingdom’s parallel market, Nomu, also rose, gaining 129.67 points, or 0.46 percent, to close at 28,142.99. This comes as 41 of the listed stocks advanced, while 33 retreated.
The MSCI Tadawul Index increased by 4.27 points, or 0.29 percent, to close at 1,455.44.
The best-performing stock was Mouwasat Medical Services Co., with its share price surging 9.97 percent to SR78.30.
Other top performers included Fawaz Abdulaziz Alhokair Co., which saw its share price rise 9.92 percent to SR14.18, and Saudi Reinsurance Co., which posted a 9.71 percent gain to reach SR53.10.
Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Co. recorded the day’s steepest decline, with its share price slipping 3.47 percent to SR25.05.
Sahara International Petrochemical Co. and Saudi Steel Pipe Co. also saw declines, with their shares dropping by 2.82 percent and 2.58 percent to SR17.90 and SR52.90, respectively.
On the announcements front, Ades Holding Co. reported interim financial results for the first three months of the year, posting a net profit of SR196.6 million — a 6.3 percent decline compared to the previous quarter. It said that the drop in net profit reflects an increased ratio of depreciation and tax costs to revenue in this period.
The company’s total comprehensive income saw a 45.7 percent quarter-on-quarter decrease in the first quarter of 2025 to reach SR170.8 million.
Ades Holding Co.’s share price traded 0.94 percent lower on the main market during today’s session to reach SR14.78.
In another announcement, Makkah Construction and Development Co. reported a 32.7 percent year-on-year increase in net profit for the same period, reaching SR150 million.
The company credited the growth to higher revenues from the hotel and towers this quarter, driven by the inclusion of the last nine days of Ramadan, increased mall revenues, and gains from financial assets classified at fair value through profit or loss.
Similarly, the company’s total comprehensive income rose to SR758 during the quarter, up from SR576 last year.
The MCDC’s share price traded 1.5 percent higher to reach SR108.20.
Saudi Arabia posts $15.6bn budget deficit in Q1 with resilient non-oil growth
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia recorded a deficit of SR58.7 billion ($15.65 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, driven by declining oil revenues and increased spending to support Vision 2030 development initiatives, according to the Finance Ministry.
According to the quarterly budget performance report, total revenues reached SR263.61 billion, marking a 10.16 percent decline compared to the same period last year.
The drop is primarily attributed to reduced oil revenues, which fell 17.65 percent year on year to SR149.81 billion, driven by ongoing OPEC+ production cuts that curbed export volumes despite relatively steady global oil prices.
Oil income accounted for 56 percent of total government revenues, down from 62 percent in Q1 2024.
In contrast, non-oil revenues continued to grow modestly, rising 2.06 percent to SR113.81 billion, underpinned by structural economic reforms and the Kingdom’s diversification agenda under Vision 2030.
Taxation on goods and services remained the largest contributor to non-oil income, generating SR71.56 billion—up 2.37 percent year on year. Other non-oil revenue sources, including fees and investment returns, added SR25.41 billion, making up 22.3 percent of the non-oil total.
Total government expenditures in the quarter rose 5.39 percent year on year to SR322.32 billion. The increase reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in strategic initiatives and priority development projects aligned with Vision 2030 goals.
Compensation for government employees remained the largest expenditure category, totaling SR146.09 billion—an annual increase of 6.24 percent—and accounting for 45.3 percent of total spending.
Expenditures on goods and services amounted to SR64.63 billion, or 20 percent of the quarterly total, while capital spending represented 8.6 percent. Other operational costs comprised 10.6 percent.
The first quarter deficit was entirely financed through debt instruments, pushing Saudi Arabia’s total public debt to SR1.33 trillion—up 19.08 percent from a year earlier.
Of this, 60 percent was sourced domestically, with the remainder attributed to external borrowing, in line with the Kingdom’s debt diversification strategy.
Despite the fiscal shortfall, the ministry noted that the quarterly figures remain consistent with the government’s 2025 budget plan. Revenues in the first quarter represent 22.3 percent of the full-year target, while expenditures account for 25 percent of the planned annual spend.
Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia’s fiscal outlook may receive a boost from higher oil output. OPEC+ recently announced plans to accelerate the unwinding of prior production cuts, including a June increase of 411,000 barrels per day. Combined with earlier boosts in April and May, the group plans to restore a total of 960,000 barrels per day—reversing 44 percent of the 2.2 million bpd reduction agreed upon in December 2024.
Saudi Aramco raises June oil prices for Asian markets
RIYADH: Saudi Aramco has increased its official selling price for crude oil destined for Asia in June, ending a two-month streak of price cuts, the company confirmed in an official statement on Sunday.
The state-owned oil giant raised the price of its benchmark Arab Light crude by $0.20, setting it at $1.40 per barrel above the average of Oman and Dubai crude prices.
The adjustment comes despite persistent downward pressure on global oil markets due to concerns over rising supply and a fragile demand outlook.
The move follows Saturday’s announcement from the OPEC+ alliance, which agreed to boost oil production for a second consecutive month. The group, which includes both OPEC members and key allies like Russia, plans to increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in June.
Market observers are now closely watching the outcome of the next OPEC+ meeting, scheduled for May 5, which will further clarify the group’s production strategy heading into summer.
Saudi Aramco prices its crude oil across five density-based grades: Super Light (greater than 40), Arab Extra Light (36-40), Arab Light (32-36), Arab Medium (29-32), and Arab Heavy (below 29).
The company’s monthly pricing decisions impact the cost of around 9 million barrels per day of crude exported to Asia and serve as a pricing benchmark for other major regional producers, including Iran, Kuwait, and Iraq.
In the North American market, Aramco set the May OSP for Arab Light at $3.40 per barrel above the Argus Sour Crude Index.
Aramco determines its OSPs based on market feedback from refiners and an evaluation of crude oil value changes over the past month, taking into account yields and product prices.
UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar sustain non-oil growth in April: S&P Global
RIYADH: The non-oil private sectors of the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar continued their expansion in April, supported by strong demand, improving output, and stable employment conditions, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys released by S&P Global.
In the UAE, the headline PMI held steady at 54 for a second consecutive month, reflecting continued momentum in the country’s non-oil economy. While output growth eased to a seven-month low, firms ramped up hiring at the fastest rate in nearly a year to manage capacity pressures. New orders surged, underpinned by the strongest international demand in five months.
This robust performance aligns with a wider regional trend of economic diversification, as Gulf nations—including Saudi Arabia—work to reduce their long-standing reliance on oil revenues.
“The April PMI results signaled a notable uptick in hiring activity across the non-oil private sector,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
“After several months of mild increases in payroll numbers, despite robust sales growth, job creation rose to its highest level in 11 months.”
Owen noted that the hiring push was largely aimed at easing backlogs, which, while still rising, did so at the slowest pace in six months. “That said, employment growth was still modest overall, adding to suggestions that some firms may be struggling to recruit,” he added.
Any PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion in the non-oil private sector, while a figure below 50 denotes contraction.
Business confidence in the UAE climbed to its highest level so far in 2025, as firms cited strong demand pipelines and positive expectations. Input purchases rose again in April, though at a slower pace than March, which had marked a 68-month high.
“Firms are hopeful that elevated demand levels and strong pipelines, as characterized by steeply rising backlogs, should propel activity higher in the coming months,” Owen said.
Despite increased purchasing and faster supplier delivery times, stock levels remained largely unchanged for the second consecutive month. Business optimism also rose for the third straight month in April.
In Dubai, operating conditions in the non-oil private sector improved at a slower pace due to weaker growth in new business inflows. Nonetheless, order books continued to expand sharply, driving strong overall business activity. Employment rebounded in April after a brief dip in March, as companies aimed to boost capacity. However, firms in Dubai expressed subdued confidence about future activity, with sentiment among the lowest on record.
Kuwait sees strongest output
Kuwait's non-oil private sector saw significant gains in April, with the country’s PMI rising to 54.2 from 52.3 in March—marking one of the sharpest expansions on record since the survey began in 2018.
“It was a bumper start to the second quarter of 2025 for non-oil companies in Kuwait, with a further influx of new orders leading companies to expand output at one of the sharpest rates since the survey began,” said Andrew Harker, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
The expansion was driven by robust new order growth, supported by competitive pricing and strategic marketing efforts. However, firms faced rising input costs that made it harder to maintain price stability.
While employment rose only marginally, the minimal hiring contributed to a further buildup in outstanding work.
“It remains to be seen, however, whether firms will be able to keep restricting selling prices in a scenario where input costs are rising sharply,” Harker noted. “The coming months will illustrate the extent to which companies are happy to see margins come under pressure in order to keep orders flowing in.”
Kuwaiti firms also reported a notable increase in export orders. Optimism about future output remained high, supported by competitive strategies, product development, and marketing.
Qatar growth slows slightly
Qatar’s non-oil sector saw a slight dip in overall momentum in April, with its PMI falling to 50.7 from 52 in March. Despite the decline, the index stayed above the neutral 50 mark for the 16th consecutive month, reflecting continued—if slower—growth.
Output among Qatari non-energy firms rose for the first time in 2025, but the sector faced a drop in new business and a cooling labor market.
“The PMI indicated continuing growth of the non-energy private sector economy at the start of the second quarter, but there was a loss of momentum owing mainly to a renewed reduction in new business and slower employment growth,” said Trevor Balchin, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.
“The latest figure of 50.7 was the lowest in three months and below the long-run trend level of 52.3, as weaker demand offset an increase in total output.”
Growth was led by the manufacturing, services, and wholesale and retail sectors, while construction activity remained weak despite signs of stabilization.
Job creation remained positive across sectors, although April saw the slowest employment growth since August 2024.
“The employment component remained elevated in April, indicating further strong jobs growth. That said, there was evidence that the recent labor market boom was easing, with the rate of job creation down at an eight-month low,” Balchin said.
Wage growth also slowed to a five-month low but remained among the strongest since the survey’s inception in 2017.
Looking ahead, Qatari businesses maintained optimism for the year ahead, citing growth in real estate, infrastructure development, tourism, and a rising expatriate population as key drivers.
