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New Delhi: Taking forward its drive of modernisation, the kingdom of Saudi Arabia is relaxing its alcohol restrictions. The kingdom is preparing to open two new liquor outlets aimed at non-Muslim residents. As reported in media publications, such as Reuters, the government is building one store in Dhahran inside an Aramco-owned compound and another in Jeddah, aimed primarily at non-Muslim diplomats.
The move is important and it follows another such landmark event which took place last year when Saudi Arabia opened its first legal liquor store in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. The move ended a 73 year ban on alcohol sales in the kingdom.
The store, which was originally restricted to non-Muslim diplomats, has since expanded its customer base to include non-Muslim holders of “Premium Residency”. This select group includes those with a special residency visa that comprises high-net-worth individuals, entrepreneurs, and skilled professionals.
The outlet in Dhahran, according to various sources that publications have cited, will serve non-Muslim Aramco employees and is situated within a company-owned residential compound. The planned Jeddah one on the other hand is aimed at diplomats and is expected to open around 2026.
Nonetheless Aramco has declined to comment on the matter, and Saudi officials have not publicly acknowledged the plans.
While much is not clear at the moment in terms of specifics, early reports suggest that entry rules are strict as no one under 21 is allowed. Appropriate attire is required and mobile phones must be stored in secure pouches while shopping. While these new stores and regulations mark a significant opening, the changes remain tightly circumscribed. Alcohol is still officially banned for the majority of the population, and there has been no broad regulatory overhaul.
Overall, if enabled, the move comes in part as the larger gambit of progressive changes undertaken by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. Under his Vision 2030, the crown prince is looking to diversify the Saudi economy and shift its exclusive reliance from oil. He also plans to make the kingdom a global tourist and investment hub.
As part of this program, the crown prince has been initiating several programs aimed at easing various social restrictions that have been prevalent in the kingdom for long periods of time now. Be it allowing women to drive cars or opening up different avenues of entertainment, including performances by global and Western artists, the current move of attempting to open more alcohol shops can also been seen as part of such similar drives.
