Saudi Arabia has announced plans to open its first alcohol store in the capital city Riyadh, exclusively for non-Muslim diplomats.
According to a document seen by Reuters and a source familiar with the plans, customers will need to register via a mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly quotas with their purchases.
The creation of this alcohol store is a significant step in Saudi Arabia’s attempt to open up the ultra-conservative Muslim country for tourism and business, considering the fact that drinking alcohol is forbidden in Islam. This initiative is also part of the broader Vision 2030 plan to develop a post-oil economy.
The new store, located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, will be “strictly restricted” to non-Muslims, according to the document.
Although it remains unclear if other non-Muslim expatriates will have access to the store, it is evident that this move is intended to cater to the needs of non-Muslim diplomats residing in the area.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia has strict laws against drinking alcohol, with severe punishments such as deportation, fines, imprisonment, and hundreds of lashes.
Expatriates in the country also face deportation. As part of the reforms, whipping has largely been replaced by jail sentences. Until now, alcohol has been available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
The government has confirmed that new restrictions are being imposed on alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions.
Despite being relatively closed off for decades, Saudi Arabia has been making efforts to relax strict social codes in recent years.
These efforts include opening the country for non-religious tourism, concerts, allowing women to drive, and relaxing the dress code for women.
The government’s Center of International Communication (CIC) has stated that the new restrictions on alcohol imports within diplomatic consignments are in line with international diplomatic conventions, assuring that all diplomats of non-Muslim embassies will have access to alcohol products in specified quotas.
Saudi Arabia is undergoing significant changes as part of the Vision 2030 plan to develop local industries and logistics hubs, and aiming to add hundreds of thousands of jobs for Saudi nationals.
