Saudi Arabia is gearing up to launch its inaugural alcohol store in Riyadh, exclusively catering to non-Muslim diplomats, according to insider information and a document obtained by Reuters.
The store’s customers will be required to register using a mobile app, obtain a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and adhere to monthly purchase limits, as outlined in the document.
This significant development aligns with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative to promote tourism and foster business opportunities within the kingdom. It is a crucial component of the broader Vision 2030 plan, aimed at diversifying the nation’s economy beyond its reliance on oil.
The newly established store is situated in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, a locality inhabited by embassies and diplomatic personnel. Access will be strictly limited to non-Muslims, as indicated in the document. It remains uncertain whether other non-Muslim expatriates will also have access to the store, given that the majority of expatriates in Saudi Arabia are Muslim workers hailing from Asia and Egypt.
An inside source familiar with the plans anticipates the store’s opening in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia enforces stringent laws against alcohol consumption, with penalties ranging from flogging and deportation to fines and imprisonment. Recent reforms have replaced flogging with jail sentences.
The government confirmed reports in state-controlled media on Wednesday, announcing new restrictions on alcohol imports within diplomatic shipments. The Center of International Communication (CIC) stated that these regulations were introduced to combat the illicit trade of alcohol products received by diplomatic missions.
The CIC clarified that the new framework ensures that diplomats from non-Muslim embassies have access to alcohol products within specified quotas, though it did not address the forthcoming alcohol store.