Bahrainis welcome Saudi move for equal treatment

ham

“The Cabinet decision, if implemented, would open doors for investors to enter the untapped Saudi market,” said Abdulhakim Al-Shammary, a Bahraini businessman.


A Cabinet session chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Monday discussed restrictions on GCC citizens.

Al-Shammary said according to the proposal, GCC citizens would not be able to venture into certain activities relating to Haj and Umrah, and the media. He described the proposal as a “smart way to divert global attention from the economic meltdown.”

Al-Shammary called on the Kingdom’s authorities to set clear guidelines in allowing Bahrainis to buy and sell property in the Kingdom. “If there are clear terms on this issue without much restriction, many Bahrainis and GCC nationals would be willing to purchase property in Saudi Arabia,” he said.

He also highlighted that GCC citizens were keen to enter the Kingdom’s agriculture and industry sectors, which he said would make Saudi Arabia a popular destination for investors.

Qatar had announced similar plans to treat GCC citizens equally in all social services.

Bahrain opened an employment office in Qatar last year to encourage Bahrainis to work in the country.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *