File photo showing a job fair in Jubail.

Despite strategies adopted by the Ministry of Economy and Planning, unemployment in the Kingdom is between 11 and 11.7 percent, according to an online newspaper.

The Shoura Council has given the economy and planning committee additional time to study the recommendations from the annual report of the Ministry of Economy and Planning for the year 1435H-1436H.

The ministry came under sharp criticism for allegedly ignoring the economic aspect, people’s living conditions and production in the country. There have been weaknesses in implementing the recommendations, according to the newspaper.

The special committee’s recommendations concerned a number of demands including completion of measures to transfer economic activities from the Ministry of Finance, expediting decisions and implementation of the national strategy to become a knowledge-based society, establishing a Saudi Center for Development and Research, planning for diversification of sources of income and less dependence on petroleum, preparation of rehabilitation program for employees and coordination with the Ministries of Finance and Civil Service to change the names of jobs.

Abdulrahman Al-Rashid, a member of the Shoura Council, criticized the repetition of the demands and recommendations to diversify sources of income. He said that it was necessary to formulate a plan based on decreasing dependence on oil.

Hatim Al-Marzouqi, another member, warned against international reports which give misleading information about the Saudi economy.

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