New Weekend in Saudi Arabia

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah issued a royal decree as per the following:

No. 185/A
Date: 14/08/1433H – 23-06-2013

A royal decree was issued last Sunday changing the official Saudi weekend to Friday and Saturday,a move that will bring the Kingdom’s working week closer to that of other countries and boost international business relations, a move that has been awaited by many international companies doing business with Saudi Arabia

The decision to change the official Saudi weekend to Friday and Saturday instead of Thursday and Friday was welcomed by the country’s economists and businessmen for giving the private sector an extra day to work with international businesses.

The Council of Ministers, which met here yesterday, said the switch-over would help the Kingdom make significant gains, especially in the economic sector. “The decree augurs well for the Kingdom’s economic position and will help it fulfill its international and regional obligations,” said Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja.
The 150-member Shoura Council also backed the decision saying it would protect the Kingdom’s economic and business interests.
The Justice Ministry, meanwhile, instructed courts to shift hearing sessions set for next Saturday to Thursday (July 4), which has become an official working day as per the new decree. Abdullah Al-Mubti, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said the decision would have a positive impact on the performance of businesses.

Today's article is an excerpt from different articles in arabnews