A number of Jeddah youth requested the Ministry of Labor, the Jeddah Municipality and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jeddah to find permanent stall premises for their small business enterprises during Eid, such as “balila and liver" stalls that had spread in the Balad district during Ramadan, according to a local daily. Many young Saudis have also been found to selling tea at the Corniche area throughout the year. Most Jeddah youth do not shy away from the practice of selling in stalls, which was evident in Ramadan, for which the Ministry of Labor said that such projects represent a preparatory course in business and generate very good gains as the net profits for stall vendors in Ramadan averages no less than SR10,000. There is competition among young people to jostle for key locations for their stalls and this would be resolved by draws carried out by the authorities. “Our youth is practical when provided the opportunity and this is proved through their rushing to get licenses for their stalls in Ramadan in old Jeddah where the youth compete with experienced people, as they are fully acquainted with both the material and moral gains achieved from these stalls," said Muhannad Sincov. The Ministry of Labor is asked to coordinate with Jeddah Secretariat and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce to allocate specific places for young people to set up small businesses in certain periods such as Eid and vacations so that the youth acquire the necessary experience, as stalls could make historic Jeddah an economic resource for its people during the holy month of Ramadan. In the same context, Yasser Al-Otaibi said, “We cannot generalize a specific description on the youth as some of them are very serious including those who volunteered during Jeddah disaster and in selling balilah and liver in Ramadan, however others may be fickle and not serious. The field must be opened to the hard-working Saudi youth to make use of the economic situation," said Al-Otaibi who believes that stalls are a great idea which allow the youth the benefits of self-employment and to get accustomed to meeting the public. General Manager of Commercial Licensing and Control in Jeddah Municipality Bachir Mustafa Abu Najm, noted that the Secretariat drew lots and granted licenses for those who wished to engage in this activity according to specific terms for a simple fee. Secretariat licenses would allow vendors to sell pastries, dates, balilah, popular desserts, spices, cheeses, perfumes, incense, clothing, haberdashery, Eid sweets, liver, etc. while an ad hoc committee would formally follow-up all on the stalls that sold foods to ensure compliance with health regulations. Bachir noted that Jeddah Secretariat required that the applicant be Saudi and no more than 30 years, and to submit his personal documents attaching copies of his ID and health certificate. As for women stall owners, a health certificate for the appointed worker must be submitted provided that he would be sponsored by her, adding out that the application for getting a Ramadan stall is limited to widows and divorcees only and that they are required to bring the official documents proving this from the Civil Status department. Mayor of the historic district ESami Nawar Nawar noted that they received more than 500 applications for Ramadan stalls this year. Nawar noted that a large number of licenses were granted to women including divorcees, widows, and women with special social needs as a special contribution and attention to all segments of the society. — SG
