- The new labor minister is one of the young sons of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, a well-known Saudi businessman.
Saudi Arabia announced a major Cabinet reshuffle on Saturday with a heavy focus on culture and religion, as the Kingdom undergoes a major image overhaul.
The shake-up is the second significant government change since the appointment of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in early 2015. The crown prince serves as deputy prime minister under his father, King Salman.
Ahmed bin Suleiman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi has been appointed the minister of labor and social development.
The new labor minister was born in 1967. He is one of the young sons of Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, a well-known Saudi businessman.
Al-Rajihi is the Kingdom’s 18th labor minister. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran city.
He is the chairman of the Board of Saudi Chambers, in addition to Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He is also the first deputy chairman of the federation of GCC Chambers. Al-Rajihi also chairs the executive boards of a number of companies. He holds the position of chairman of the board of directors of Triomada Plastic International Co., Saudi Company for MFG. Carpet Materials (Mattex), Saudi Manufacturing Industries Holding Co., Vision Green, and AEP.
His previous experience includes being the CEO of the National Industries Group from 1997 to 2010, chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Arab Contracting Co. between 2003 and 2011, chairman of the Industrial Committee at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Riyadh from 2008 to 2012.
He was a member of the board of directors of the Industrial Cities Authority from 2011 to 2014, and a member of the board of directors of Advanced Petrochemical Manufacturing Co. from 2005 to 2013.
Al-Rajhi’s appointment as the labor minister comes as an indication of the government’s interest in partnering with the private sector in line with Vision 2030.