Saudi cabinet decision permitted stores and restaurants to operate the 24-hour trading in exchange for paying a fee, according to the official Saudi Press Agency.
The Ministry will determine the charge, as well as which commercial activities will be affected by the decision. The all-day trading decision was welcomed by many despite businesses currently closing around midnight.
The practice contrasts with neighboring Muslim-majority states, many of which close businesses for a special Friday prayer but otherwise continue commercial activities as usual.
