The Qiwa platform, the regulatory arm of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, issued an important clarification regarding a leadership position in the Saudi labor market, confirming that the position of "General Manager" is not among the Saudized professions and is available to non-Saudi employees according to specific regulatory controls. This announcement aims to address the circulating questions about the scope of Saudization decisions in senior management positions.

The platform clarified via its official account on the 'X' platform that changing an expatriate's profession to 'General Manager' requires a fundamental condition to ensure transparency and data consistency: the job title in the documented employment contract must match the data registered in the establishment's commercial register. These procedures aim to enhance governance and ensure the accuracy of official information, thus facilitating the monitoring of commercial activities and their compliance with regulations by regulatory bodies.

The general context within Saudi Vision 2030

This explanation falls within the broader framework of economic reforms underway in Saudi Arabia, in line with the goals of Vision 2030. The Vision aims to transform the Saudi economy into a more diversified and sustainable one, reducing its reliance on oil by empowering the private sector and attracting foreign direct investment. To achieve this, the Kingdom is working to create a flexible and competitive business environment capable of attracting top global talent and expertise to leadership positions, where these leaders can contribute to knowledge transfer, the development of national talent, and driving growth across various sectors.

The importance and expected impact of the decision

Domestically, this decision grants Saudi companies and institutions greater flexibility in selecting their executive leadership, allowing them to appoint the most suitable candidate based on experience and competence, regardless of nationality. This is expected to contribute to raising the level of administrative and operational performance of companies and enhancing their competitiveness in local and international markets. It also represents a step towards achieving a strategic balance between localization (Saudization) policies, which aim to provide job opportunities for citizens, and the critical need for specialized international expertise to drive major projects and ambitious economic initiatives.

At the regional and international levels, this decision reinforces the Kingdom's position as an attractive destination for investment and talent. It sends a clear message to investors and multinational corporations that the regulatory environment in Saudi Arabia has become more mature and transparent, supporting the attraction of the talent needed to manage their operations effectively. This contributes to making the Kingdom a leading regional business hub, capable of competing with major economies in the region and the world.

In a new blow to international smuggling networks, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) at the Al-Haditha border crossing announced that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large quantity of amphetamine pills, amounting to 269,411 Captagon pills, which were on their way into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Details of the fine-tuning process

ZATCA's official spokesperson, Professor Hamoud Al-Harbi, explained that the operation began when a shipment classified as "foodstuffs" arrived at the Al-Haditha border crossing. During routine customs procedures, the shipment aroused the inspectors' suspicions, prompting a thorough examination using the latest security technologies and live detection methods (police dogs). The examination revealed narcotic pills that had been professionally and ingeniously concealed inside containers of ghee. Part of the contents of the containers had been emptied, filled with the narcotic pills, and then resealed tightly for camouflage.

Al-Harbi added that immediately after the seizure, coordination was established with the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in a proactive step aimed at tracking down the criminal network responsible. This fruitful security cooperation resulted in the arrest of the recipients of the shipment within the Kingdom; two individuals were apprehended and legal proceedings are underway against them.

Ongoing efforts in the war on drugs

This operation comes within the framework of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect its land, sea, and air borders. The Al-Haditha border crossing, which connects the Kingdom to Jordan, is one of the most important and busiest land crossings, making it a constant target for smuggling networks seeking to exploit it to bring in contraband. This operation demonstrates the high level of vigilance and preparedness of customs officials and their ability to detect evolving criminal methods.

The strategic importance of protecting society

The importance of such operations extends beyond security to encompass crucial social and economic dimensions. Domestically, thwarting the smuggling of these massive quantities helps protect youth and society from the devastating scourge of drugs, directly contributing to one of the key objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030: building a vibrant and secure society. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom's success in disrupting the supply routes of these criminal networks strengthens regional security and underscores its role as an active partner in combating transnational organized crime.

The official spokesperson reiterated that ZATCA and all partner security agencies are committed to tightening customs controls on all imports and exports, and to standing firm against anyone attempting to compromise the security of the nation and the safety of its citizens. The authority also called upon citizens and residents to contribute to these national efforts by reporting any information related to smuggling through the designated official channels, such as the number (1910) or the email address (1910@zatca.gov.sa), emphasizing the complete confidentiality of informants and the availability of substantial financial rewards if the information is accurate.