RIYADH: More than half-a-million companies have signed up to the Qiwa platform, which provides a range of direct online services to support businesses, the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) said on Tuesday.
The platform helps businesses undergo digital transformation, facilitate procedures, raise transparency and enhance the Saudi labor market.
After crossing 500,000 registrations, the ministry is urging businesses to take advantage of Qiwa’s 85 services, including the popular electronic consultancy, which evaluates business performance and provides advice on areas for improvement.
“The range of services have been designed to help businesses expand by providing a one-stop-shop (a business or office where multiple services are offered) for information and monthly update reports, together with recommendations and analysis, to help businesses monitor and achieve their targets,” the ministry said in a statement.
The digital services offered through Qiwa also include Saudization indicators, information on labor regulations such as health and safety in the workplace, renewal and issuance of work and transfer permits, as well as Saudization certificates.
Qiwa reflects the ministry’s commitment to support entrepreneurs by helping businesses establish digital procedures and services in line with the Kingdom’s digital transformation program.
FASTFACTS
• Its services include electronic consultancy, which evaluates business performance and provides advice on areas for improvement.
• The digital services offered through Qiwa also include Saudization indicators, information on labor regulations such as health and safety in the workplace, renewal and issuance of work and transfer permits, as well as Saudization certificates.
According to the ministry, the overall aim of the program is to reduce time, effort and cost, and increase transparency and decision-making processes to benefit the growth of new businesses and foreign investment.
The platform further seeks to create an integrated and competitive labor market and improve relationships between employers and employees by making services more user-friendly.
Dr. Osama Ghanem Al-Obaidy, an adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News: “This announcement by the ministry reflects the success it has achieved represented by the Qiwa platform, which plays a vital role in supporting businesses and investors.”
“The Qiwa platform will provide services to businesses and investors that will allow them to complete transactions relating to issuance of professional and temporary visit visas,” he added. “The platform will enhance the management of employees and improve the contractual relationship by managing employment contracts, transfers of employees and dependents, changes of profession, management of work permits and secondment of employees.”
