Saudi youths visit “Jobs 2014” forum organized by Dhahran International Company and Eastern Province Chamber for Commerce and Industry with the participation of a large number of local and international companies and was inaugurated by Eastern Province Deputy Gov. Prince Jalawi bin Abdul Aziz. (SPA)

Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih has revealed that the government plans to create jobs for 300,000 Saudis in the private sector.

Economy and Planning, Finance and Labor Ministries would launch 36 initiatives as part of the scheme.

This includes expanding summer training for university students in large private companies.

The minister said there are an estimated 650,000 unemployed Saudis in the country. There are also several initiatives to employ women, including helping them to set up handicraft businesses and work from home, Fakeih was quoted as saying recently.

He said most Saudis now prefer to work in the private sector instead of the public sector. There are 30 private companies involved in training programs for Saudis, the minister added.

He said Saudization programs have supported and encouraged young Saudis to find jobs in the private sector.

The ministry has made a lot of effort over the past three years to tackle the unemployment problem in the country, Fakeih said.

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