Saudi Arabia: Weekend changes

Saudi Arabia has switched its weekend to Friday/Saturday, bringing it into line with other Gulf Co-operation Council states. On 23 June, King Abdullah Bin Abdelaziz issued a royal order saying that official working days would be from Sunday to Thursday, and the weekly holiday on Friday and Saturday. The order, reported on state news agency SPA, said the decision was taken “due to the obvious interests and significant gains for the kingdom, particularly in the economic aspects”.