Riyadh, January 22, 2024, Today, Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, addressed the Real Estate Future Forum, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the ministry with government institutions and the private sector in creating employment opportunities for citizens. Al-Rajhi noted that the number of Saudis working in the private sector increased significantly from 1.7 million in 2019 to a record 2.3 million in 2023, with 361,000 individuals entering the workforce for the first time.
Highlighting the transformation in the real estate sector, Al-Rajhi mentioned that before July 2021, only 12,000 Saudis were employed in real estate professions and activities. However, two years after the decision to localize these roles, the number has surged to over 26,000 citizens, representing a remarkable 116% increase.
The ministry's contribution to creating more employment opportunities in the real estate sector includes the establishment of 12 sectoral councils, including the Construction and Real Estate Activities Council. Additionally, the ministry launched the national training campaign (Waad) in collaboration with the private sector, committing to provide 1,155,000 training opportunities for Saudis by the end of 2025.
Al-Rajhi highlighted the government's extensive support programs, numbering 123 in total. The largest programs cater to social security beneficiaries, persons with disabilities, and the citizen's account, with support exceeding SAR 86 billion in 2023. The minister emphasized the ongoing "housing and empowerment" initiative, aiming to encourage 1,000 families registered with social security to participate in empowerment programs, transforming them from families in need to productive households.
Additionally, Al-Rajhi shared that over 1,100 companies are registered on the National Social Responsibility Platform. Within 10 months of its launch, their contributions surpassed SAR 1 billion, with the housing sector receiving the most support. Twenty-one initiatives, totaling over SAR 677 million, are directed towards assisting the most underprivileged segments, in alignment with the ministry's initiatives.
