RESULTS OF A STUDY CONDUCTED IN MAY BY THE GENERAL STATISTICS AND DATA AUTHORITY SHOWED THAT PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG SAUDI CITIZENS REACHED 9.1 PERCENT FOR MALES AND 26.3 PERCENT FOR FEMALES. IN A PRESS STATEMENT ON THIS ISSUE, MINISTER OF LABOR DR. GHAZI ALQUSAIBI SAID THESE RESULTS EMPHASIZE THE NEED FOR CONTINUED COMBATING OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND CREATION OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITIZENS. HE ADDED THAT THIS HIGH PERCENTAGE OF UNEMPLOYMENT DOES NOT REFLECT THE PROSPEROUS STATE OF THE SAUDI ECONOMY AND HIGHLIGHTED THE LABOR MINISTRY'S EFFORTS TO CONTROL UNEMPLOYMENT. THE MINISTER VOWED TO INTENSIFY EFFORTS TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICIES AND DECISIONS ON SAUDIZATION OF JOBS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.