Saudi Arabia to change alcohol rules as it opens first alcohol shop

As the kingdom gets ready to build the first-ever booze store in its capital, Riyadh, it has released new alcohol regulations.

Selling or using alcohol is outlawed in Saudi Arabia; offenders risk jail time, fines, lashing, and deportation.

“To counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods,” the governmental Center of International Communication (CIC) announced in a statement, the regulations governing alcohol quotas for diplomatic missions that are not Muslim are being adopted.

As to the article published by Reuters, the inaugural liquor store located in Riyadh, the capital, will cater solely to non-Muslim officials.

A “new method will focus on designating defined quantities of alcohol goods when entering the Kingdom to put an end to the previous unregulated approach that…” the CIC stated in response to the report.

The CIC did not clarify if a shop will be opened but said the new “regulatory framework has been introduced to counter the illicit trade of alcohol goods and products received by diplomatic missions,” the CIC said.

Despite the ban on alcohols, Saudi Arabia under Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman has moved towards the remodeling of its tourism industry as part of a grand vision to diversify the economy leading to speculation that it could legalize alcohol in the Kingdom very soon.