Higher Saudization in procurement to create 3,000 jobs for citizens: HRSD Ministry

HRSD Ministry along with HADAF working to support businesses through recruitment, qualification, employment, training, and workforce empowerment programs

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said the decision to increase the Saudization rate in procurement-related professions to 70% would likely create about 3,000 job opportunities for Saudi citizens in procurement, contracts, warehousing, and logistics services.

Private sector establishments were granted a six-month grace period prior to the mandatory implementation of the decision, the ministry said in a statement to OKAZ newspaper.

This was to ensure that employers had sufficient time to prepare and comply with the new requirements.

The ministry, in cooperation with Human Resources Development Fund (HADAF), is also working to support businesses through recruitment, qualification, employment, training, and workforce empowerment programs.

It emphasized that Saudization policies are based on regular labor market analysis and supply-and-demand assessments. The ministry evaluates the alignment between the number of job seekers and positions that can be offered to qualified Saudi talent in order to determine localization targets that balance private-sector needs with national workforce development objectives.

The ministry also highlighted the bridging and vocational training programs in coordination with relevant entities. These initiatives are designed to equip graduates from less-demanded academic disciplines with the skills required for occupations targeted under Saudization programs, thereby improving workforce readiness and employability.

In addition, the ministry noted that it has enhanced its monitoring and enforcement mechanisms through automation and electronic oversight systems, enabling efficient verification of companies’ compliance with the prescribed localization ratios.

According to data available with Argaam, the HRSD Ministry began enforcing the 70% Saudization requirement for procurement professions in the private sector from May 31, 2026.