Hongkongers lured by well-paid jobs in Saudi Arabia say the kingdom’s rapidly expanding economy remains full of promise, though navigating cultural differences in the Middle East’s richest nation remains a challenge.
Those who spoke to the Post said they had never planned to move to the oil-rich kingdom but were drawn by the large-scale transformation under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.
The ambitious blueprint aims to aggressively modernise and diversify the Saudi economy to reduce its reliance on oil.
Chloe Wong relocated to Saudi Arabia last year after being headhunted to join the sales and distribution team at Riyadh Air, an airline backed by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund as part of its push to boost tourism.
“This is a fast-growing market that brings new opportunities every year, and I want to get ahead of them,” said Wong, who is in her early thirties.
Wong, who previously worked for another airline in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, for nearly two years, said she was attracted by a substantial pay rise – more than double what she earned before – and by the pace of change across Saudi Arabia’s economy.
This momentum provided “great opportunity and potential” compared with other markets in the Middle East, she said.
She also pointed to rapid shifts in policy, noting a new regulation allowed expatriates to buy flats in the kingdom. “It shows the country’s willingness to adapt quickly and open up opportunities across various sectors,” she said.
The policy, part of the Vision 2030 initiative, enables foreigners to purchase properties in designated residential and commercial zones with government approval.
Born in Hong Kong and educated in the United Kingdom, Wong said a multicultural background and openness to challenges were key assets for professionals looking to succeed in Saudi Arabia.
Compared with Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, she noted that leisure activities in the kingdom were fewer, with cafes, cinemas and bowling alleys being the main options. Alcohol restrictions also shaped the local lifestyle, she said.
The Saudi lifestyle tends to be more relaxed and focused on work-life balance, she said, adding that daily routines stretched late into the night with supermarkets and other facilities staying open until 1am and 2am.
Ken Ma, also in his thirties and working in the investment department of an asset management company, echoed Wong’s views.
He said it was essential for professionals to be receptive to the challenges of working in the Middle East.
“The working pace here is more relaxed, and it is essential to adapt to the culture,” he said.
He said Saudi Arabia offers abundant opportunities because the country was diversifying its economy, “but this comes with pressure as expectations from employers are very high”.
Another Hongkonger, Michelle Cheung, moved to the kingdom last year after her husband accepted a role with Qiddiya, one of the government’s flagship “giga-projects” aimed at creating a world-class tourism hub near Riyadh.
Now a full-time mother to a five-month-old, Cheung conceded that delivering her baby far from home required “a lot of consideration”.
“I never expected I would give birth in Saudi Arabia,” she said, noting that the generous medical allowance provided by her husband’s employer made the decision easier.
All her maternity expenses were covered by insurance.
Still, Cheung said daily life presented challenges, including traffic congestion and limited community support from fellow Hongkongers. “It’s give and take,” she said.
She added that limited international schooling options could affect the family’s long-term plans, but for now, they intend to stay for at least three years before deciding on their next move. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
