GOOD OR BAD?!! You Can Now Buy Alcohol In Saudia Arabia (READ THIS)

Saudi Arabia has allegedly opened its first-ever alcohol store located at Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter, according to two sources cited by CNBC.

The news has not been officially confirmed by the Saudi government but it’s understood to represent a significant move by the traditionally conservative Muslim theocracy where alcohol has been banned since 1952.

Details shown on a set of store regulations shown to CNBC indicate that the access to the venue is limited to non-Muslim diplomats, with the approval being managed through a mobile application called Diplo. Guest are only allowed when they are authorized visitors and above 21 years, and must not be accompanying a guest in the same circumstance. Guest is also not permitted to take photographs while inside the store and use mobile phones.

Speculation has been rife for years that Saudi Arabia might loosen its curbs on the sale of alcohol in a part of wider opening up of society to entice foreign tourists and overseas talent. One interpretation of this cautious and gentle opening is suggested in a comment made by an anonymous Saudi consultant, who is also close to the royal court – that the establishment of a store in the diplomatic quarter is viewed as modest step in that direction.

To eventually opening up alcohol sales to non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia, to hotels and other venues,’ the consultant said, further underscoring the goal of meeting issues concerning alcohol smuggling by diplomats. Diplomats on embassy lines can bring in alcohol into the country at times a large consignment which they occasionally sell out to middlemen.

Together with this evening both to the ministries of media and foreign affairs for Saudi Arabia will be reaching CNBC. It is during an ambitious campaign to overhaul its image that the expansion fits into a much larger transformation in Saudi Arabian tourism. Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative seeks to encourage tourism as well as diversify away from oil. Under Crown Prince Mohammed, social reforms in Saudi Arabia have included a lifting of the ban on women driving, opening movie theaters and concerts, while allowing, in any event, greater determination on dissent and political activism…[CONTINUE READING HERE]>>

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