SAUDI ARABIA. A shop selling alcohol has opened in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, the first such store to open in over 70 years, according to multiple international reports.
The clientele is limited to non-Muslim diplomatic staff, according to an Associated Press (AP) diplomat source who visited the store this week.
The move has been portrayed by international media as a significant moment in the Kingdom’s efforts, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to make Saudi Arabia a more popular travel and business destination under its ‘Vision 2030’ plan. However, the greater rationale is probably uncontrolled leakage of alcohol onto the local market by certain diplomatic embassies.
As in most countries, diplomatic staff have long been able to enjoy alcohol allowances (though only within the diplomatic premises), with embassies permitted to order with approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is absolutely ground breaking, alcohol for sale in Saudi Arabia,” an informed source told The Moodie Davitt Report, who said he felt the leakage from certain embassies had likely got out of hand.
Diplomats using the store – which according to the AP source is sited in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, next door to a supermarket – will have to register via a mobile app.
Store users will also have to get a clearance code from the foreign ministry, and strictly respect monthly quotas with their purchases, according to a document seen by Reuters, which broke the story.
There are no suggestions that those eligible to use the store will be widened to other visitors to Saudi Arabia who do not hold diplomatic privileges.
Saudi Arabia’s current law enforces strict penalties for consumption or possession of alcohol outside diplomatic premises. 
