News - March 2009

March 29-April 4, 2009

~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 4]~~~~~~~~~

King Abdullah Back in Riyadh [Apr 4]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, arrived in Riyadh Friday evening from London after having led the delegation of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the 21st Arab ordinary summit and 2nd Arab-South America summit in Doha, Qatar, and the Kingdom’s delegation to the G20 economic summit in London. At Riyadh Airbase, the Monarch was received by Prince Fahd Bin Muhammad Bin Abdul Aziz, Prince Bandar Bin Muhammad Bin Abdulrahman, Prince Fahd Bin Mashari Bin Juluwe, Prince Badr Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Commander of the National Guard, Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, Prince Sattam Bin Abdul Aziz, Acting Governor of Riyadh Region, other princes, chairman of the Shoura Council, ministers, senior civil and military officials and a group of citizens.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Assets Fall Amid Global Econ Woe-SAMA [Apr 4]
"Saudi Arabia's foreign assets declined for the third straight month in February after almost a decade of steady growth driven by rising oil prices, official data showed. Foreign assets controlled by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, or SAMA, declined almost 2% to 1.585 trillion Saudi riyals ($422.67 billion) in February, compared to a month earlier. The kingdom has shed more than $20 billion in foreign assets since November 2008, according to a report posted on SAMA's Web site. The boom in oil prices since 2002 has filled the kingdom's coffers and made it one of the largest holders of U.S. Treasuries and other securities. But as the global economic downturn cramps its development plans and strains the financial system in Saudi, the government has increased its support of the local economy putting strain on its finances. Saudi Arabia injected 31.4 billion Saudi riyals ($8.37 billion) in the fourth-quarter of 2008 to support its financial system through a variety of measures including direct deposits into local banks.." [more]

Kingdom's Recovery Program Largest in G-20: Al-Assaf [Apr 4]
"Saudi Arabia has embarked on a massive economic recovery program worth $400 billion, which the International Monetary Fund considers as the largest in G-20 countries, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said on Thursday. 'The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adopted an investment and development program for the government and monetary sectors, valued at $400 billion, for five years,' the Saudi Press Agency quoted the minister as saying. 'The IMF conducted a study on policies adopted by G-20 member countries, which showed that the Kingdom’s investment program for infrastructure and other projects is the largest in the group,' Al-Assaf told reporters after the G-20 summit in London. He said Saudi Arabia has allocated 10 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) to finance the program in three years.." [more]

3 Virtue Commission Members Sacked [Apr 4]
"The new president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Abdul Aziz Al-Humain has fired three of his officials for violating regulations, Al-Madinah Arabic daily reported yesterday quoting informed sources. 'An official source at the commission's office in Riyadh confirmed the report,” the paper said, adding that the decision was taken by Al-Humain. 'It’s one of the major decisions taken by the new president after assuming office,' the paper pointed out. The source disclosed that the commission was likely to fire more officials in the coming days, especially those working in the field, for violating regulations.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Will Play Part in Recovery [Apr 4]
"As the world’s leaders met in London to seek ideas and funds in order to prevent a systemic collapse of the global economy, many eyes have turned to Saudi Arabia as an obvious source of cash. The Kingdom’s contribution to rescuing the global financial system has been far from negligible. It is investing more than $70 billion to bring its oil production capacity to 12.5 million barrels a day by the end of this year. More than 40 percent of the new total capacity will remain unused so that global consumers can tap into it at a later stage. Saudi Arabia’s current control of production capacity makes Tehran and Moscow, to name but two, completely dependent on its adjustments. Saudi Arabia has used its status as the world’s swing producer benignly. Its leaders have understood for decades that their interests are intertwined with the prosperity of the world economy and that excessive prices and the accompanying volatility are counter to the Kingdom’s long-term interests.." [more]

New Saudi-Japanese Firm Set Up [Apr 4]
"Tharawat Development Company (TDC) has signed an agreement with Kubota Japanese Company (KJC) to establish Kubota Saudi Arabia Company, LLC. The agreement, worth an estimated SR225 million, was signed by Subhi Mohammed Al-Hashim, vice chairman and deputy member of TDC, and Takeshi Torwiki, general manager of iron industries in KJC, Osaka. Kubota Saudi Arabia Company will function to melt and cast heat-resistant alloys, crack pipelines, and steam in ethylene cracking units that are used in the petrochemical factories. The company will be located in Dammam where the Saudi Industrial Property Authority has provided a 25,000 sq. meter plot of land in the second industrial area of the city for the new company to begin implementation and production by mid-2010.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 3]~~~~~~~~~

Obama and the King: a Right Royal Bow Row [Apr 3]
"Conservative American commentators have accused Barack Obama of 'grovelling' to an Arab monarch at the G20 summit in London. A photo and video footage of the US President bowing to Saudi Arabian King Abdullah at yesterday's G20 meet-and-greet has been doing the rounds on the internet today.. ..etiquette expert Gloria Starr, who has met the King's wife and hosted two of their daughters in her finishing schools, told smh.com.au there was nothing wrong with Mr Obama's display of deference. "I think it was a sign of respect and in no way diminishes the ranking of the President or indicates the greater strength of the one being bowed to," Ms Starr said. 'I bowed, wore the attire, ate the figs as a sign of respect when I was in Saudi. I applaud the President for showing this courtesy.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Buys Sidewinder Missiles [Apr 3]
" The Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force has contracted Raytheon for the company to deliver AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. U.S. company Raytheon was awarded the contract after an agreement between Saudi Arabian authorities and the U.S. government. Under the deal, Raytheon will deliver an undisclosed number of tactical and training AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided missiles to the Royal Saudi Air Force. Officials say the air-to-air missiles will go to support Royal Saudi Air Force's fleet of F-15 fighter aircraft. 'The AIM-9X will provide our Saudi Arabian allies with unparalleled capability, a small logistical footprint and ease of integration onto its existing fighter aircraft,'.." [more]

Saudis May Shore Up Mideast Sour Demand [Apr 3]
"Asia's oil refiners will turn to the Middle East crude market with renewed enthusiasm in the coming week, with spot valuations likely to cool amid expectations that supply will loosen up. With Middle East members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries expected to go easy on their recent aggressive output cutbacks, "sour" or high-sulfur crude may start becoming more competitive. This would encourage Asian importers to commit to sour crude after a period of relatively high prices prompted a handful of refiners to ship home rival 'sweet' crude from elsewhere. 'It all depends on the Saudis,'.. ..State oil giant Saudi Arabian Oil Co. is widely expected to raise OSPs for lighter crude but crucially, its key Arabian Medium grade will be marked down - by a significant 50 cents a barrel, one customer predicted. During the week, Saudi Aramco, as the company is known, will also finalize its May term supply allocations.." [more]

KSA Studying Options of Supporting IMF – Al-Assaf [Apr 3]
"Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the Kingdom is still studying its options of supporting the IMF and is presently not contributing to the additional $500 billion in additional funding for the IMF agreed at the G20 summit. There have recently been reports that Saudi Arabia would contribute $90 billion, but Al-Assaf said this figure was unfounded.. ..Al-Assaf described the summit as a success. He was upbeat on Saudi Arabia’s ability to withstand the global financial crisis and said that there had been international recognition of the efforts that Saudi Arabia has made to head off the effects of the international financial crisis. Saudi Arabia has been less hurt than many other economies by the global financial meltdown because it began its systems of checks and balances on the financial sector a long time ago.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 2]~~~~~~~~~

Sultan Makes Full Recovery [Apr 2]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, left hospital on Tuesday evening after achieving complete recovery following a successful surgical operation that was performed on him on Feb. 23, a Royal Court announcement said yesterday.. ..In a recent statement, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif said Prince Sultan’s health was satisfactory. 'I would like to assure you that the crown prince’s health is very good. God willing, after the medical vacation he will return to the Kingdom in full health,' the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as telling reporters in Beirut.." [more]

Thousands of Jobs For Women Planned [Apr 2]
"The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday launched a scheme aimed at employing thousands of women in 700 industrial establishments in the city. 'The move comes as part of the JCCI’s efforts to invest in woman power for the all-around national development,' participants in a meeting held at the head office of the JCCI observed yesterday. JCCI set up an action team comprising Ulfat Qabbani, a member of the board of directors of JCCI, Sameer Murad, chairman of the Industrial Committee of JCCI, Saud Tayyar and Fouzi Al-Nahdi, to supervise the speedy implementation of the scheme. 'More than 25 factories have come forward in the initial stage of the scheme. A total of 56 industries will offer jobs for women,'.." [more]

A Rising But Enigmatic Prince [Apr 2]
"Amid the swirl of rumour, news of real shifts occasionally wafts out, as it did on March 27th, when King Abdullah appointed his half-brother, Prince Nayef, as his second deputy prime minister. The title does not sound very grand, considering the 75-year-old prince’s service as the powerful interior minister for a cool 34 years. But the 84-year-old king happens also to be Saudi Arabia’s prime minister. His first deputy and anointed successor, Crown Prince Sultan, has been abroad for months, convalescing from cancer. In the past, second deputy prime ministers have been considered second in line to the throne. King Abdullah had left the post vacant since assuming the throne in 2005.. ..The creation by King Abdullah two years ago of a family council representing all of Abdul Aziz’s sons, which was charged with approving future heirs to the throne after Crown Prince Sultan, was widely seen as a manoeuvre to bypass the Sudairis’ overweening influence. But his elevation of Prince Nayef appears now to consolidate their power.." [more]

Obama Backs Saudi Peace Initiative [Apr 2]
"US President Barack Obama reiterated his support for the Saudi Mideast peace initiative in a meeting with King Abdullah on Thursday night, the White House said in a statement. The February 2002 initiative calls for a full Israeli withdrawal from all territories taken in the Six Day War, including east Jerusalem, and a 'just settlement' to the Palestinian refugee crisis in exchange for normalizing ties with the Arab world. The leaders 'reaffirmed the long-standing, strong relationship between the two countries,' continued the statement after the two met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London. 'They discussed international cooperation regarding the global economy, regional political and security issues, and cooperation against terrorism,'.." [more]

Saudi Content With $50 Oil to Help World Economy [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabia and other core Gulf OPEC producers will not seek to push oil prices beyond $50 a barrel in the short-term, to help nurse the global economy out of recession. If oil, now near $50, does not drop, Saudi Arabia appears unlikely to seek another output cut at OPEC's meeting in May even though prices are a long way short of Riyadh's stated $75 price target.  'For OPEC, the penny has dropped on the economy -- it is still fragile and may not have hit bottom yet,' said Bill Farren-Price, energy analyst at Medley Global Advisors. 'Their longer-term price ambitions around $75 a barrel have to be deferred for the time being. There appears to be a coordinated message from Gulf producers that $50 is good for now.' Saudi Arabia, a member of the G20 leading world economies, is keen to be seen helping and not hindering measures to shore up the global economy.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 1]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Government Cracks Down on Shiite Dissidents [Apr 1]
"A cleric's threat of secession has brought a swift government crackdown in this poor, radical Shiite town in Saudi Arabia's increasingly restive religious minority heartland atop the Sunni kingdom's main oil reserves. Cleric Sheik Nimr al-Nimr threatened to break away if Saudi authorities don't treat Shiites better. Followers of the sect make up 10 percent of the kingdom's population of 22.6 million and they have long complained of discrimination, saying they are barred from key positions in the military and government and are not given an equal share of the country's wealth.. ..Since that incendiary sermon, more than 35 people have been arrested in a government crackdown and al-Nimr has gone into hiding. Police have set up checkpoints on the roads leading into Awwamiya, one of the Shiite area's poorest towns. Other Shiite leaders have distanced themselves from al Nimr's comments, though they say the government must address growing Shiite anger over discrimination and poverty, which they warn could break into unrest.." [more]

Sudan's Bashir Defies ICC Warrant With Saudi Trip [Apr 1]
"Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir flew to Saudi Arabia on a brief pilgrimage, state media said on Wednesday, his latest stop on a foreign tour in defiance of an international arrest warrant against him. It was Bashir's fifth visit to a foreign state since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him on March 4 accusing him of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's Darfur region. Sudanese television and state radio said Bashir left a summit of Arab and Latin American leaders in Qatar and flew to Saudi Arabia. The reports did not say when he arrived. The state-run channel said: 'President of the republic Field Marshal Omar al-Bashir has arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah (an Islamic pilgrimage).'  Bashir risks arrest if he leaves Sudan and he has so far only visited countries that are not members of the International Criminal Court.."  [more]

Saudi Warns Protectionism May Worsen Crisis [Apr 1]
"Saudi Arabia's finance minister warned against protectionism as G20 leaders gathered in London for a summit, saying in a newspaper report that restricting imports from emerging markets could worsen the global crisis. G20 leaders pledged at a summit in November to fight protectionism, although 18 of their economies are named in a World Trade Organization report on measures taken in recent months that could be seen as restricting trade. 'With signs of recession and indications that levels of unemployment are rising in several countries as a result, indications of commerce protectionism have started to surface and this is a very worrying matter,' Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf was quoted as saying in Asharq al-Awsat.. ..Saudi Arabia is the only country in the Arab world that is a member of the G20.." [more]

Saudi Offers Private Firms Incentive to Hire Nationals [Apr 1]
"The Saudi government has offered private firms a new incentive for the hiring of its fast growing native population after a rise in unemployment amid the global financial crisis. The government-run Human Resources Development Fund said it would pay in advance half of the first annual salary of Saudis who are newly hired by private firms. It earlier paid the 50 percent after the completion of the first year. '(This) aims at encouraging private sector firms to contribute in nationalising jobs,' state news agency SPA said. The fund will continue to pay 75 percent of bonuses paid to Saudis who undergo training at private firms, SPA added. The move came amid a slowdown in the world's top oil exporter and a slower growth of bank loans to the private sector. This has increased concerns over the economy's ability to create jobs for a predominantly young population that generally prefers working for a less-demanding public sector.." [more]

Sultan: Tourism Industry Won’t Pose Social Burden [Apr 1]
"Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), said yesterday that Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry would not become a security or social burden on the country. 'The SCTA is keen on security issues and works in coordination with the Interior Ministry,'.. .. 'Our main goal is to develop the tourism sector for the benefit of citizens and their families, who represent the biggest tourism market in the Kingdom.' He added: 'We are not obliged or keen to opening national tourism to foreigners. It would be a big mistake to focus on attracting foreign tourists while we are not able to provide minimum services to our citizens who are anxious to see the attractions in their country.'.." [more]

Women’s Advocacy Group Decides to Wind Down [Apr 1]
"A proposal to establish a first-of-its-kind organization to support women’s rights in Saudi Arabia has been dropped shattering the hopes of Saudi women for an official organization that would fight for their rights. 'We failed to obtain official approval to operate legally,' said Sulaiman Al-Salman, the man who came up with the idea to establish the society, Ansar Al-Mar’ah (Supporters of Women). Al-Salman said he has been in constant conflict with the Ministry of Social Affairs to gain approval, adding that the ministry’s rejection has frustrated the group’s determination and that group members have, as a result, lost interest.. ..Al-Salman said that while the proposal for his organization was rejected, tens of other charities providing humanitarian support have been approved and that none of these are dedicated to serving women’s rights.." [more]

Saudi Female Official Settles in to Job [Apr 1]
"Nora al-Fayez, Saudi Arabia's highest-ranking female official, is not ready to make big pronouncements. A month after King Abdullah named her deputy education minister for women as part of a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, Ms. Fayez told The Washington Times that she 'preferred not to talk much at this stage' about plans until she has time to formulate an approach to the new job. Still, she said, 'I can say that 99.9 percent of the people were happy about my appointment, especially that it deals with issues related to women.' Asked why she was appointed, she said it reflected the views of both Saudi intellectuals and ordinary people and was not a response to external pressure. 'The Saudi leadership makes important decisions carefully,' she said. 'It has to prepare the society for change.' The Fayez appointment was part of the biggest Cabinet shake-up since Abdullah took the throne in 2005.." [more]

Kosova: Recognition by Saudi Arabia Forthcoming [Apr 1]
"The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recognizes the Republic of Kosovo passports and the Saudi Arabia consular diplomatic office is authorized to provide visas for the Republic of Kosovo citizens, informs the Kosovar-Arab Chamber of Friendship and Economic Cooperation. Saudi Arabia is among the countries that are in the process of recognizing Kosovo.  The Kosovar-Arab Chamber for Friendship and Economic Cooperation informs that all citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, who want to travel to Saudi Arabia, can use the passports of the Republic of Kosovo, reports Kohavision. 'Recognition of the Passports is a great achievement for Kosovo because we are convinced that the official recognition of the Republic of Kosovo is coming very soon ,' said the Kosovar-Arab Chamber for Friendship and Economic Cooperation.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 31]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Oil Minister to Join Japan Energy Conference [Mar 31]
"Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi and Qatar's Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah are expected to join a ministerial conference of major oil producing and consuming countries in Japan, a Japanese official said.. ..Energy ministers or other high-ranking officials from 12 Asian countries including China and India, and from nine Middle East countries including Qatar, which is co-host of the event, are due to participate in the one-day gathering on April 26 to discuss ways to stabilise the oil market and strengthen relationships. Representatives from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the International Energy Agency and the International Energy Forum will also attend. The Asian energy meeting was last held in May 2007 in Riyadh.." [more]

Women in Saudi Media Under Fire [Mar 31]
"Thirty-five prominent Saudi figures including scholars, university professors, judges, imams, researchers and government officials have warned the minister of culture and information against the prominence being given to women in the media. They described the projection of women in the media as a 'phenomenon exceeding proper bounds of Sharia'.. ..the hardliners underlined the need for strictly adhering into the Kingdom's media policy, which prohibits women, including singers and artists, from appearing in the media. The statement, which was also carried by Al Madinah Arabic daily, urged scholars and reformers to examine the matter and come out with their proposals.." [more]

First Nanotechnology Company Launches in Saudi [Mar 31]
"The first company in Saudi Arabia to specialise in the manufacture of nanomembranes , used in the petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, desalination and agricultural industries, was launched on Monday. Opening the Saudi Nanotechnology Company, chairman Prince Bader Bin Saud said the firm would provide the Kingdom with a means of keeping pace with worldwide developments in nanothechnology, rather than it having to rely on foreign research. It had taken three years to set up, and would be run in partnership with global leaders in the field, investors and nanotechnology specialists, the Prince added.." [more]

Saudi Adviser Says OPEC Cuts Have Supported Oil Prices [Mar 31]
"OPEC's decision to cut crude production by a combined 4.2 million b/d last year put a floor under oil prices and prevented a collapse, balanced the oil market and prevented an 'unusual and uncontrolled' build in stocks, a senior Saudi oil adviser said in a comprehensive review of the market. Ibrahim al-Muhanna, an adviser to Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi, said in a paper presented to a March 28 meeting of the Organization of the Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries that OPEC's decision to cut had come under 'harsh' attack from Western oil consuming nations, including the US, Britain and consumer watchdog the IEA, which saw the move as 'unreasonable.' 'Time has proved OPEC right and its critics wrong,' wrote Muhanna. Despite OPEC's 'realistic' decisions, non-cooperation by other main oil producers outside OPEC and the extent of compliance by OPEC members with previous and current production cuts are still key issues.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 30]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi's King Abdullah Walks Out of Opening Session of Arab Summit [Mar 30]
"Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz walked out of the opening session of the Arab Summit in Doha on Monday, following remarks made by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Tempers flared shortly after the summit host Shaikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, ended his opening address, in which he said King Abdullah will represent the Arab nation at Thursday’s G20 economic summit in London.. ..Following the speech, the Libyan leader took over the microphone without requesting a permission to speak, a Gulf News correspondent inside the meeting hall said. 'I don’t know why we should be happy that King Abdullah is representing us at the G20. He is a British-made monarch and an American agent,' Gaddafi said, and went on despite the repeated attempts by Shaikh Hamad to stop him.. ..The remark and the subsequent apology by the Emir of Qatar led to an angry walkout by King Abdullah, who few years earlier had a similar spat with Gaddafi.." [more]

Saudi Non-Oil Exports Fall 18 Percent in January [Mar 30]
"Saudi Arabia's non-oil exports fell 18 percent in January compared to the same month a year ago, the kingdom's economy and planning ministry said Monday. The slump highlights the affect of the global economic downturn on the OPEC powerhouse, which has been trying to diversify its economy away from oil. Non-oil exports slipped to 7.87 billion riyals, or about $2.1 billion, in January from 9.61 billion riyals in January 2008, the ministry said. Earlier this month, the head of the Saudi central bank said the rate of growth in the country's non-oil exports plunged by 50 percent in 2008. The brunt of those exports are petrochemical products and plastics.." [more]

Gulf Monetary Union On Track Despite Delays [Mar 30]
"A plan for Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Gulf countries to unify currencies 'looks more certain to happen than ever,' even though the region's central bankers have indicated a possible delay, a leading economist in the kingdom said Monday. 'Having stuck with the fixed exchange rate through the period of heightened inflationary pressures, the authorities are likely to want to introduce the new currency before other factors come to challenge the economic convergence process,' said Jarmo T. Kotilaine, the chief economist at NCB Capital, the investment banking arm of the Saudi government-owned National Commercial Bank.  The Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, an organization that includes Saudi, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, has been working towards a single currency since 1982. Earlier this decade, officials were confident that disagreements between the states over the plan would be resolved by 2007 and the 2010 deadline would be met.." [more]

Mobily Expands Saudi Network in $116m Deal [Mar 30]
"Motorola on Monday announced a contract worth $116 million with Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) to expand the telecom operator's network in Saudi Arabia. Under the deal, Saudi Arabia’s northwest and southwest regions will benefit from enhanced GSM coverage and capacity. Mobily chiefs said the turnkey expansion will enable Mobily to increase its subscriber base within the kingdom. 'The demand for reliable communications services in the kingdom is growing and the Mobily expansion project of our GSM network will help to meet the demands and expectations of new subscribers in the western north and southern north regions,'.." [more]

Unemployment Among Saudi Women Climbs to 27% [Mar 30]
"Unemployment rates among Saudi women officially climbed to almost 27 percent last August, up from 25 percent six months earlier, according to Deputy Labour Minister Abdul Wahid Al Humaid. The increase boosted the total number out of work in the Kingdom from 9.8 percent to 10 percent over the same time period, but this figure was down on August 2007, a year earlier, when unemployment stood at 11 percent, he said. However, unemployment among Saudi men had declined from 6.9 percent to 6.8 percent in the past six months, Al Humaid told the Saudi new agency in an interview published on Monday.." [more]

NSHR Invited to See Hai’a at Work [Mar 30]
"The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice – the Hai’a – within the next few weeks, NSHR head Mufleh Al-Qahtani, has said. Following a meeting with Abdul Aziz Al-Humain, General President of the Hai’a, Al-Qahtani said the NSHR had been invited to visit regional Hai’a centers to see how they operate. 'We were happy to see the Hai’a progressing and its new strategic plans,' Al-Qahtani said of the meeting. 'They answered all our questions.' Al-Qahtani said the one-and-a-half hour meeting addressed recent comments from the public on the work of the Hai’a.." [more]

Saudi Plans to Split Up State Electric Company [Mar 30]
"Saudi Arabia plans to carve out four independent power generation companies from Saudi Electricity Co 5110.SE (SEC) to encourage more competition, a senior regulatory official said on Monday. SEC, currently 80 percent owned by the government with a float of 20 percent on the Saudi stock market, manages 37,000 megawatts of power generation capacity from some 45 plants.. ..The government also plans to carve out two new companies for power transmission and distribution, he said. 'We want SEC to be a holding company and to own four generation companies as well as the transmission and distribution companies,' Shehri said on the sidelines of a conference in the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi. The four new generation companies, which would each have capacity of about 9,000 megawatts, could look into strategic partnerships and sell assets, he said. 'Our aim is to create competition and encourage privatisation,'.." [more]

Pumping Up Saudi Flow Control Services [Mar 30]
"..Last week, Flowserve Corporation and Al-Rushaid GroupAl-Rushaid Group opened the largest pump manufacturing, repair and testing facility in the Middle East. The event was significant because until now, the top of the line industrial pumps purchased by Saudi industries were not maintained locally. 'In the past, the maintenance for the equipment purchased from Flowserve was done some in the United States and Europe,' said Lewis Kling, president and CEO, Flowserve Corporation. 'Our new state-of-the-art, robust facility will help us deliver outstanding service to our Middle East customers. Its scope, size and capabilities are unmatched in the region. We think it's the right thing to do opening such a facility here in the Middle East. The equipment is here. The business is here. The people are here and it's a great place to do business.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 29]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Says Has Not Proposed IMF Aid Hike [Mar 29]
"Saudi Arabia has not made any proposal to help the IMF fight the financial crisis by increasing its contribution, Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf told Reuters on Sunday ahead of a G20 summit later this week. 'The kingdom has not put forward any proposal,' Assaf said in response to Reuters questions on aid the kingdom could offer the International Monetary Fund, expected to become a more aggressive firefighter as the global crisis spreads. Assaf, who is the kingdom's chief representative at the IMF and World Bank, added: 'What is on the table now is for support from all the major member states of the fund'.  The statements downplay speculation that Saudi, the world's largest oil exporter, was considering increasing its IMF contribution over and above that of other shareholders as global leaders look to fortify the fund during the crisis.." [more]

Yemen Extradites Five Men Wanted by Saudi [Mar 29]
"Yemen has handed over to Saudi Arabia five men whose names it says appear on a list of 85 militants wanted by the kingdom for involvement in attacks, a Yemeni security official said on Sunday. Riyadh, however, said only one of the suspects was on its most-wanted list. The suspects, all Saudi nationals, were extradited on Saturday and are wanted in connection with "terrorist and sabotage" acts, the Yemeni official told AFP. They include Ali Abdullah al-Harbi, whose arrest the Yemen interior ministry announced in mid-March as part of a search operation for 116 suspects wanted in Yemen for security reasons, the official added.." [more]

Arab Leaders Gather for Doha Summit [Mar 29]
"Arab leaders are gathering in Doha, the Qatari capital, for a two-day summit likely to be dominated by the international arrest warrant issued against Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president. But the run-up to the summit, which opens on Monday, has been marked by stark differences among Arab leaders, particularly over how to deal with Iran.. ..While the leaders appear to be united in their opposition of the arrest warrant against al-Bashir, the Arab world's relations with Iran remain the major sticking point among them. "The Doha summit is still a battleground between the emerging de facto alliance between Qatar, Syria and Iran, on one side, and the Saudis, Egyptians and Jordanians, on the other," Ali al-Ahmed, a Saudi opposition figure, said.." [more]

Saudi Interior Minister Sworn in as Second Deputy Premier [Mar 29]
"The Saudi Interior Minister PrinceNaif bin Abdulaziz was sworn in as the second deputy premier of the oil-rich kingdom, the state SPA news agency reported Sunday. The Oath-taking ceremony, which was hosted by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz at the king's palace on Saturday evening, was 'in line with the issuance of a royal decree,' which was made on Friday by the monarch, the report said. The king congratulated Prince Naif and wish him success 'for the service of his religion and the homeland,' it added. Naif expressed his thanks to the king's trust and vowed to come up to the king's confidence in him. The appointment came as the Saudi king might come to the Qatari capital of Doha for an Arab summit on March 30-31 and later to London for the G20 summit scheduled for April 1-2.." [more]

King Presents Faisal Prizes [Mar 29]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, presented the King Faisal International Prizes to this year’s winners at a ceremony here Saturday.. ..This 2009 prize for Service to Islam went to the Principal Shariah Society for Qur’an and Sunnah Scholars in Egypt. This year’s prize for Service to Islam went to the Principal Shari’ah Society for Qur’an and Sunnah Scholars in Egypt. The organization was recognized for its perseverance, its total dedication to the cause of Islam and its remoteness from any political ambition. The prize for Islamic Studies went to Professor Abdulsalam Mohammed Cheddadi of Morocco for his seminal studies on the works of Ibn Khaldun, a leading authority on Islamic thought. The Arabic Language and Literature prize went to Prof. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al-Manie of Saudi Arabia, professor emeritus of Arabic Literature at King Saud University.." [more]

JCCI Revokes Weekend Change [Mar 29]
"The board of directors of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) has reversed a decision to change its weekend to Fridays and Saturdays.. ..Abdullah bin Marei Bin-Mahfouz, deputy chairman of the JCCI, categorically denied that the rescinding of the decision was the result of outside pressure. He added that the decision was taken considering the convenience and the well-being of staff. He said even though the whole of Thursday was now considered an official JCCI holiday, some departments would continue business as usual, especially the Department of Subscriptions and Approvals. The Labor Ministry has asked companies and establishments in the private sector to grant employees a full two-day weekend, but has left to them to decide which days.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Opens New Fuels Storage Facility [Mar 29]
"Saudi Aramco has opened a new refined oil products storage facility in central Saudi Arabia, to allow for more flexibility in scheduling refinery maintenance and minimising supply disruptions, the state news agency said. The 650,000 barrel underground facility in Qassim is linked to a distribution terminal with a 46-mile-long (74-km) oil pipeline, state news agency SPA said. It is the last of five similar storage facilities that were opened in Jeddah, Abha, Medina and the capital Riyadh, according to SPA.. ..The facilities would also cut operating costs and reduce reliance on land transport to move petroleum products within the sprawling country, he added.." [more]

Sharp Rebound in Profits of Saudi Banks [Mar 29]
"Saudi Arabia's banks staged a strong recovery in January to record their highest net income in 13 months despite poor performance through 2008, according to a key Saudi investment fund. After a loss of around SR95 million (Dh94 million) in December, the net profits of the Gulf Kingdom's 12 banks shot up to SR3.148bn in January, said NCB Capital, an affiliate of the National Commercial Bank (NCB), Saudi Arabia's largest bank by assets. 'This was the highest monthly net income recorded in the past 13 months. Declining interest rates are likely to have resulted in lower cost of funds, leading to better bottom line performance in January,' it said in a study. The surge followed one of the most difficult period for Saudi banks in the past few months of 2008 because of the global financial turmoil. Most of the banks suffered from a steep decline in profits in the fourth quarter while some reported losses from their foreign assets.." [more]

March 22-March 28, 2009

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 28]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Prince Questions King's Deputy Appointment [Mar 28]
"A brother of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has started a rare public debate over the succession by questioning the appointment of the kingdom's interior minister as second deputy prime minister -- a position that would normally place him second in line to the throne. The statement, by Prince Talal bin Abdul-Aziz, came after the Saudi royal court announced on Friday the appointment of Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz as second deputy prime minister, a promotion that means he will run the kingdom when the monarch and crown prince are away. The role would normally go to First Deputy Prime Minister Crown Prince Sultan, but he is convalescing in the United States after surgery earlier this year.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 27]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Minister Urges Caution on the Drive to Renewable Energy [Mar 27]
"Speaking at a major energy conference earlier this month, Ali Al-Naimi, the Saudi oil minister, offered an impassioned defense of oil, which he called “an enabler of progress and prosperity.” He cautioned that the current economic crisis — and the uncertainties over future oil consumption — could force producers to trim their supplies, and hence could cause a new price shock. Mr. Naimi also offered his strongest public criticism against the drive for alternative fuels — which he referred to as “supplemental” energy — and the inconsistent policies of consuming countries.." [more]

Mishaal Appointed Najran Governor [Mar 27]
"Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has been appointed governor of the southern Najran province with the rank of a minister, a Royal Court announcement said yesterday. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah made the appointment issuing a Royal Decree on the recommendation of Interior Minister Prince Naif, the Saudi Press Agency said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 26]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Militant Back from Syria to Surrender [Mar 26]
"A Saudi militant who helped Islamist fighters get into Iraq has returned from Syria to hand himself in to the Saudi Interior Ministry, a security source said on Thursday. Many Saudis are among foreigners who went to Iraq after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to fight foreign forces and the Shi'ite-dominated government. Al Qaeda's Saudi wing launched a campaign to destabilise the world's largest oil exporter in 2003, but the violence was brought to a halt after a long campaign of arrests.." [more]

No Need for Female MPs or Polls in Saudi Arabia [Mar 26]
"The Saudi Arabian interior minister, Prince Nayif Bin ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz, has said there is no need for women members of parliament or elections, according to remarks by him that were published on Wednesday, according to the Dubai-based newspaper Gulf News. The members of the Saudi Arabian parliament, the Shoura Council, which only has advisory role, are all appointed by Saudi King ‘Abdallah Bin ‘Abd Al-‘Aziz, who is the half brother of Prince Nayif.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 25]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Clerics Want Women Banned from TV, Media [Mar 25]
"Hardline Saudi clerics have called on the government to ban women from appearing on television and to prohibit their images in print media, which they called a sign of growing "deviant thought." In a letter to new Information Minister Abdul Aziz al-Khoja that appeared on websites this week, the 35 Islamic clerics also condemned the increase of music and dancing on television, as well as images of women in popular newspapers and magazines that they labelled "obscene." "Our faith in you is great to carry out media reform, for we have seen how perversity is rooted in the ministry of information and culture, on television, radio, in the press, literary clubs, and book fairs," the letter said.." [more]

Saudi Ctrl Bk Chief: Kingdom Confident In US Toxic Asset Plan [Mar 25]
"Saudi Arabia is confident the U.S. government is using all available tools at its disposal to stabilize its economy, Mohammed Al Jasser, head of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, or SAMA, said Wednesday. "We have confidence that the U.S. is throwing all available weapons at the financial situation to stabilize it," he said at a conference in Bahrain. The U.S. treasury earlier this week unveiled its long awaited plan to remove up to $1 trillion of bad assets from the banking system.." [more]

Saudi Girl in Marriage Case Wins Appeal [Mar 25]
"An appeals court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has rejected and refused to certify a court ruling allowing a 47-year-old man's marriage to an 8-year-old girl, said a relative of the girl with knowledge of the proceedings. Under the Saudi legal process, what the appeals court ruling means is that the controversial marriage is still in effect, but a challenge to the marriage by the girl's mother is still alive.." [more]

Met-Pro gets $625K Saudi Order [Mar 25]
"Met-Pro Corp.'s international business unit has received an order of more than $625,000 to supply two dust collectors to one of the largest petrochemical complexes in the world, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the company announced today.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 24]~~~~~~~~~

Abdullah to Address Shoura Council Today [Mar 24]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will formally open the fifth Shoura Council today. On this occasion, the king will deliver a speech spelling out the Saudi government’s plans and policies on the whole range of domestic and international issues. “King Abdullah has paid great attention to promoting and empowering the Shoura Council for which we are highly indebted,” said Abdullah Al-Asheikh, Shoura chairman, yesterday. The king, he said, will explain the Kingdom’s internal and external policies in his speech and unveil his economic, social and political reform plans.." [more]

Cabinet Vows to Continue Oil Projects [Mar 24]
"The Council of Ministers announced yesterday that Saudi Arabia would continue its long-term investment projects in the oil and gas sectors to increase production to ensure an adequate energy supply in world markets. “The Kingdom will go ahead with this policy despite the current economic situation and the challenges being faced by the energy sector,” the Cabinet said following its weekly meeting chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. The Cabinet said the Kingdom would also focus on research and development, acquiring modern technology to develop a variety of environment-friendly energy products.." [more]

Crown Prince Calls for Aid to the Disabled [Mar 24]
"Crown Prince Sultan called upon participants of the International Conference on Disability here to look for solutions which would improve the future of the disabled. “I urge you to consider this opportunity to put this conference’s recommendations into action. Science and technology have made it easy for nations to communicate with each other, which should make it possible for us to discover a scientific way to help the disabled to overcome their disability, the Crown Prince said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Prince Sultan Bin Salman, Chairman of the Disabled Children’s Society.." [more]

Saudi Clerics Attack Media Policy Amid Reform Push [Mar 24]
"A group of hardline Saudi clerics have called on the Islamic state's new minister of information to halt efforts to liberalise the media by taking Saudi women off state television. In a statement posted on Saudi websites, the 35 clerics including leading independent Abdul-Rahman al-Barrak argued that the Saudi government was violating its own rules on religion and morals. Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, applies a strict version of Islamic sharia law, says the Koran is its constitution and gives clerics wide powers to monitor public behaviour.." [more]

Saudis Retool to Root Out Terrorist Risk [Mar 24]
"National Commercial Bank, Saudi Arabia's largest-lender by assets, may take provisions but won't divest any of its holdings this year, its chief executive said Tuesday.." [more]

Saudis Set Up New SWF To Invest In Foreign Stocks [Mar 24]
"Saudi Arabia's ruler, King Abdullah, Monday approved the creation of a new sovereign wealth fund that will oversee the assets of the oil-rich kingdom's largest pension fund, and may inject more Saudi cash into battered western companies. The new fund, to be called the Hassana Investment Co., will invest in real estate and commercial projects, and stock markets in the Middle East and overseas, according to the statement on the official Saudi Press Agency Web site. Its mandate will be to manage the assets of the General Organization for Social Insurance, or GOSI, the agency said.." [more]

Sudan Seeks Saudi Intervention to Defuse Crisis [Mar 24]
"Sudanese Vice President Ali Osman Taha, who wrapped up a daylong visit to Riyadh on Sunday, sought the Kingdom’s intervention to defuse the crisis that has gripped the region after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against President Omar Bashir. “Vice President Taha’s talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah were aimed at rallying support against the ICC move,” Sudanese Ambassador Abdel Hafiz Ibrahim said here yesterday. “Taha was received by King Abdullah on Sunday and the two leaders discussed the situation at length,” said Ibrahim.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Renews Commitment to Long-Term Plans [Mar 24]
"Oil company Saudi Aramco on Monday renewed its commitment to long-term investment plans in oil and gas during the global financial crisis, which has dampened demand for sources of energy. "Despite the difficulty in the current global economic climate and challenges facing the energy sector, the kingdom will continue its long-term investments to expand oil and gas sectors," Chief Executive Khalid al-Falih said in a statement. Aramco will soon sign a "memorandum of understanding" with Japan's Sumitomo Chemical (4005.T) to develop a second phase of the PetroRabigh complex, Falih said.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Shia Press for Rights [Mar 24]
"Although they only represent 15% of the overall Saudi population of more than 25 million, Shia are the dominant population, according to the International Crisis Group, in key towns such as Qatif, Dammam, and al-Hasa, which are home to the largest oil fields and processing and refining facilities. In February, clashes between Shia Muslims and the religious police in Madina, Islam's second holiest city, triggered a wave of unrest, resulting in the arrest of dozens of people. Tensions were eased by King Abdullah's decision to release all the detainees but the situation remains volatile.." [more]

Saudi Oil Minister Predicts Painful 'Catastrophic' Oil Shortfall "Sooner Rather Than Later" [Mar 24]
"Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi spoke in Vienna at a March 18 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties and warned of a coming “catatstrophic” shortfall in petroleum production. "In years to come, if traditional energy supplies should prove inadequate because capital expenditure was curtailed due to unsustainable prices, unreliable indication of future demand or hopes for a substitute that oil cannot deliver, such a supply crunch would be catastrophic.".." [more]

More Than 38,000 Pirated CDs Confiscated from Riyadh Streets [Mar 24]
"The Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information has recently confiscated more than 38,000 pirated CDs from illegal street vendors as part of a comprehensive anti-piracy crackdown throughout the streets of Riyadh, KSA. The campaign, which involved Riyadh police Secretariat of Al Riyadh Region, initially focused on the Olaya market area but later on extended to Haraj Bin Gassem, south of Riyadh.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 23]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Human Rights Society Slams Religious Police [Mar 23]
"Saudi Arabia’s Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (known as religious police outside the Kingdom), came under heavy criticism for its abuse of power from the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR). 'The commission has been exercising excessive powers that are actually not in its jurisdiction while carrying out its mission.' 'The commission members are exceeding proper bounds in their handling of cases as well as in the arrest, interrogation and investigation of several people in various regions of the Kingdom,' the society criticized in its annual report presented to the Shoura Council. The society’s report came at a time when there has been an unprecedented local media uproar and public resentment over the abuse of power by a section of the religious policemen.."  [more]

Naif Deplores Moves to Dent Arab Security [Mar 23]
"Interior Minister Prince Naif yesterday denounced moves by certain interest groups to undermine the security and stability of Arab countries by creating suspicions about their governments as well as political, social and economic systems. 'The most dangerous thing facing Arab security is attempts to shake the stability and comprehensive development in our countries by spreading suspicions in the minds of citizens about their existence, governments and political, social and economic systems,' the prince said. Addressing a meeting of Arab interior ministers, Prince Naif also spoke about moves to breach the security barrier of Arab countries through deviant thoughts and criminal activities. He hoped that the security pacts signed by Arab League member countries would enable them to confront such challenges.."  [more]

Kouchner Praises King’s Arab Reconciliation Effort [Mar 23]
"French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said here Sunday that the initiative for Arab reconciliation taken by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, at the Kuwait summit offered hope of a joint and actual movement for Palestinian unity. Speaking at a press conference after meeting with King Abdullah, Kouchner said he conveyed to the King a message from President Nicolas Sarkozy that discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries. Kouchner said his discussions with the King covered the situation in the Middle East, the efforts for Palestinian national reconciliation, the problems facing the Arab World, and the global economic crisis.."  [more]

Saudi Arabia and UAE Will Avoid GDP Shrinkage [Mar 23]
"The economies of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will narrowly avoid contracting in 2009 while Kuwait shrinks as the Gulf is dealt a double blow from oil output cuts and weak consumer demand, a Reuters poll showed.. ..Gross domestic product (GDP) at constant prices in Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, would advance just 0.3 per cent in 2009, its slowest pace since 2002 and a drop from 4.2 per cent last year, according to median forecasts for the poll.. ..Real GDP growth is seen resuming across the Gulf in 2010, with Saudi Arabia's economy expanding 3.3 per cent and the UAE's growing three percent.."  [more]

Saudi Oil Minister Predicts Painful Catastrophic Oil Shortfall Sooner Rather Than Later [Mar 23]
"Saudi oil minister Ali al-Naimi spoke in Vienna at a March 18 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Counties and warned of a coming “catatstrophic” shortfall in petroleum production. 'In years to come, if traditional energy supplies should prove inadequate because capital expenditure was curtailed due to unsustainable prices, unreliable indication of future demand or hopes for a substitute that oil cannot deliver, such a supply crunch would be catastrophic.' 'The painful result would be felt sooner rather than later. It would effectively take the wheels off an already derailed economy.' Naimi, who in 2008 declined to increase production after an appeal by then President George W. Bush, said that current low petroleum prices should not be used as a reason to shortchange investment in future production. Doing so, he averred, would only mean future shortages and price hikes. The world risked disaster by placing too much hope on untested alternative energy sources.."  [more]

Saudi Arabia to Keep Asia Oil Supply Steady Ahead of OPEC [Mar 23]
"Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia surprised its Asian oil customers by telling them it would maintain or even increase crude supplies next month in another sign that OPEC's most influential member will urge the cartel to refrain from further output cuts when it meets this weekend. On last Monday the Saudi owned al-Hayat cited a senior source as saying that the world's top oil exporter would urge OPEC to comply with existing curbs before considering more output cuts when it meets this weekend. After OPEC's biggest ever production curbs, oil prices have rebounded to trade near USD 47 a barrel. Refinery company sources quoted four customers in North Asia said Saudi Aramco had told them the state oil company would maintain April shipments at an estimated 10% to 14% below contracted volumes, unchanged from March, declining to be identified because the information was confidential.."  [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 22]~~~~~~~~~

Saudis Retool to Root Out Terrorist Risk [Mar 22]
"Near the guard tower outside this country’s main counterterrorism training center, some of the concrete barriers are still scarred with shrapnel. They are kept as a reminder: in December 2004, a suicide bomber detonated his car there, in one of a series of deadly attacks by Islamist insurgents that shook this kingdom. 'It was a wake-up call,'.. ..Those deaths forced a decisive shift here. Many Saudis had refused to recognize the country’s growing reputation as an incubator of terrorism, even after the international outcry that followed the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Since then, much has changed. When Saudi Arabia released its latest list of wanted terrorism suspects in January, all 85 of them were said to be outside the kingdom. That fact was a measure of the ambitious counterterrorism program created here in the past few years.." [more]

World’s Statesmen to Hold Annual Meeting at KAEC [Mar 22]
"As many as 28 former presidents and prime ministers will gather in Rabegh, north of here, in May for discussions on some of the most important global issues today, such as energy conservation, economic growth and how to avoid a new cold war.  Also to attend the 27th annual plenary session of the InterAction Council of Former Heads of State and Government to be hosted by King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), May 10-14, are 200 other top political personalities and thinkers from around the world. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved the convening of the sessions, said Amr Bin Al-Dabbagh, Governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), which is organizing the event. The InterAction Council was established in 1983 as an independent international organization to mobilize the experience, energy and international contacts of statesmen who have held the highest office in their own countries. Council members jointly develop   recommendations on, and practical solutions for the political, economic and social problems confronting humanity.."  [more]

Saudi Arabia: Inflation Drops to 6.9% [Mar 22]
"Annual inflation in Saudi Arabia dropped to 6.9% last February after hitting 7.9% last January, a drop of 40% from a peak of 11.1% recorded in July 2008, the highest rate in the last 30 years. Conversely, the Saudi cost of living index rose to 120.6 points on February 28 compared with 112.8 points a year earlier. On its website, the Central Department of Statistics in the Ministry of Economy and Planning said that inflation rates in Saudi Arabia has witnessed another drop during last February for the seventh consecutive month to 6.9%, the lowest rate since December 2007. The department also said that the Saudi cost of living index rose to 120.6 points on February 28 compared with 112.8 points a year earlier, recording a slight increase of 0.1% during February, compared to January, despite the drop in prices.." [more]

Saudi-Cuba Cultural Co-op Accord Inked [Mar 22]
"The governments of Saudi Arabia and Cuba signed an executive program of cultural cooperation and expressed interest in strengthening and expanding links in that field, informed Cuban diplomatic sources. The document based on the General Cooperation Agreement signed in 2004 between the Saudi kingdom and the island was inked on occasion of the visit of Culture First Deputy Minister, Rafael Bernal to this capital. The Cuban deputy minister traveling from Qatar, was received by the Saudi Culture and Information Minister, Abdulaziz Bin Mohieddin Khoja, with whom he discussed options for exchange between both nations.." [more]

Top Official Lauds Female Secret Service Agents in Saudi Arabia [Mar 22]
"Female members of Saudi Arabia’s General Intelligence won accolades from its chief, Prince Muiqrin Bin Abdul Aziz. "Every Saudi woman can be proud of the excellent performance of their fellow members in the General Intelligence Directorate. 'Their reports, analysis and proposals are 10 times better than their male counterparts,' he said. Prince Muqrin made these remarks during a press conference held in Riyadh on Saturday evening following his visit to King Saud University. During the visit, the Intelligence Chief signed a framework agreement for consultative and scientific studies, research and services with King Saud University through the university’s King Abdullah Institute for Research and Consultative Studies.." [more]

Indonesia to Allocate Farmland for Joint Saudi Rice-Growing Ventures [Mar 22]
"Indonesia will allocate at least 2 million hectares of farm land to joint ventures with Saudi investors to be used mainly for the cultivation of rice, a Saudi newspaper reported on Saturday. The move would turn Indonesia into the world's top rice exporter in 2009, said Alwi Shihab, special envoy to the Middle East for the country's president, according to the Okaz newspaper.  Some provinces in Indonesia have already signed agreements for such joint ventures, Shihab added. The minister announced last year that Saudi BinLadin Group planned to invest at least $4.3 billion in Indonesia's rice-farming industry on 500,000 hectares of land in the Papua province. Saudi Arabia, among the world's top ten rice importers, said in January that it had received the first batch of rice produced abroad by local investors under a government-sponsored push for agricultural investment outside the kingdom.." [more]

Bill to Curb Workplace Harassment Triggers Heated Debate [Mar 22]
"A draft law to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace has triggered a heated debate among Shoura Council members with opponents saying it would encourage mixed-gender working environments. Supporters believe such a law is essential to protect women from harassment. 'Those who oppose this law are like ostriches hiding their heads in the sand,' said Mazin Balilah, adding that Muslim countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Tunisia and Egypt have already introduced such laws.. ..Members like Talal Al-Bakri, chairman of the Shoura’s Committee for Social, Family and Youth Affairs, said the enactment of the law would be an indirect approval of the mixing of sexes in the workplace. “This goes against the teachings of Islam, our social customs and the Kingdom’s basic law of governance,” he told Al-Madinah Arabic daily. Azib Al-Mesbal, chairman of the Committee for Islamic, Judicial and Human Rights Affairs, said his committee would discuss all aspects of the law before presenting it to the Shoura. He said he would give his opinion about the law only after a thorough study.." [more]

Lufthansa To Boost Saudi Flights [Mar 22]
"Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA.XE), Europe's second-biggest airline, will double the number of flights to Saudi Arabia in an effort to tap demand for business travel to the oil-rich kingdom, a company executive said Sunday. Offering new flights to the kingdom starting March 29 is 'inline with linking the oil producing countries with Germany and Switzerland,' Rolf Koller, the Saudi general manager of Lufthansa and its affiliate Swiss International Airlines, told reporters in Riyadh. Lufthansa is betting that growing demand for business travel between Europe and Saudi, the Middle East's largest-economy, will help offset a slowdown on recession hit routes elsewhere. The collapse of oil prices since last year was supposed to provide relief for airlines, but the global financial crisis has dramatically reduced demand for travel, and carriers are facing mounting losses.." [more]

March 15-March 21, 2009

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 21]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi-Qatar Border Pact Sealed at UN [Mar 21]
"Saudi Arabia and Qatar have signed a border demarcation agreement at the UN headquarters in New York putting an international seal of approval on a 1965 agreement. 'This is the icing on the cake,' said Saudi Ambassador to the UN Khalid Al-Nafisee before the signing ceremony, Thursday. 'We now have an internationally accepted document. The United Nations requires member states to register their maritime border agreements. The agreement then becomes an official UN document and is legally binding under international law.' UN Assistant Secretary General for Legal Affairs joined Ambassador Al-Nafisee and Qatari Ambassador Abdulaziz Al-Nasser for the signing ceremony.." [more]

Saudi Arabia’s Power Consumption to Soar [Mar 21]
"Saudi Arabia will account for 16.3 percent of Middle East and Africa (MEA) regional power generation by 2013, a new forecast reported. The Kingdom’s power consumption is expected to increase from an estimated 179TWh in 2007 to 294TWh by the end of the forecast period, with a growing import requirement, assuming 5.2 percent annual growth in electricity generation. “Between 2007 and 2018, we are forecasting an increase in Saudi electricity generation of 64.1 percent, which is near the bottom of the range for the MEA region. This equates to 19.0 percent in the 2013-2018 period, down from 38.0 percent in 2007-2013. PED growth is set to decrease from 25.3 percent in 2007-2013 to 15.1 percent, representing 44.2 percent for the entire forecast period. Thermal power generation is forecast to rise by 64.1 percent between 2007 and 2018,” BMI (Business Monitor International) said in the report for the first quarter of 2009.." [more]

Kingdom’s Hotel Industry Booming as Tourism Grows [Mar 21]
" The Saudi market is more resilient to the financial crisis than anywhere else, a top hotel executive said recently. Hilton Hotels vice president for development, Middle East, Elie Younes said that the hotel group will focus development strategy on Saudi Arabia this year, where it plans to roll out the first Garden Inn branded properties to enter the Middle East. 'For a number of reasons, including the current climate, it would make sense to focus on Saudi Arabia today,' he said. 'Saudi Arabia is definitely a sufficient market - it is more recession-proof than others,' he added. Hilton Hotels will open its first Garden Inn in Riyadh this year, followed by another in the KSA market within the next 18 months, according to Younes. 'Our geographical focus this year will mainly be Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and some parts of the Indian Ocean and the Seychelles,' he noted. He stressed that in terms of investment, Hilton, which had recently formed a Middle East development team, was looking to identify owners with both money and access to land.." [more]

16% Jump in Complaints About Rights Violations [Mar 21]
"The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) received 4,522 complaints relating to the violation of rights last year, including arbitrary job terminations and domestic abuse. 'There was a 16 percent increase in complaints received in 2008 compared to the previous year,' the society’s annual report said. About one third of complaints were related to administrative matters. The cases focused on arbitrary decisions regarding termination of service, changing job positions, demanding financial dues, unemployment issues and arbitrary transfer of jobs. The NSHR said it had looked into all cases through its six nationwide branches. The number of complaints received from men exceeded those from women. 'We received only 1,495 complaints from women last year,' said Mufleh Al-Qahtani, NSHR president.." [more]

Blue Chips Buoy Saudi Bourse [Mar 21]
"Saudi shares rebounded last week after a series of losses that lasted for four weeks. The upward trend was led by blue chips, particularly in the petrochemical sector. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) climbed 6.54 percent last week to close at 4,400.21 points. TASI is currently 8.39 percent lower than the year’s start. The weekly report of the Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group (BIG) attributed the rebound mainly to the 'significant gains scored by US stocks since March 9 and the positive reports about the performance of the US financial sector in January and February, which boosted the sentiment of recovery of the world economy by the end of 2009.' BIG expected the Saudi stock market to 'fluctuate narrowly' following last week’s gains.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 20]~~~~~~~~~

Islamic Ministry Unveils Charter for Mosque Imams, Preachers [Mar 20]
"Separate charters for mosque imams and Friday sermon preachers (Khateeb) are going to be introduced in Saudi Arabia in the near future. 'The Agency for Mosques under the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Call and Guidance, will soon work out the Charter that clearly specifies the role, duties and responsibilities of imams and khateebs. Only those who agree with the provisions of the Charter and sign it will be appointed at mosques in future,'.. ..As part of the Kingdom’s combat against terror, the Ministry also wants to put an end to the tendency of some preachers to propagate extremist ideas and deviant thoughts.  Referring to the Charter, the minister said all the imams and khateebs should strictly adhere into the written directives and guidelines of the Charter concerned.." [more]

Kouchner to Visit Kingdom [Mar 20]
" French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner will visit Saudi Arabia on Monday to hold consultations on a range of bilateral and regional issues, including the arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court against Sudanese President Omar Bashir.  During his two-day trip to Riyadh, Kouchner is expected to hold talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and senior Saudi officials. 'The visit of French foreign minister will help tackle regional issues that include the situations in Gaza, Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Darfur, besides Iran’s nuclear program, the financial crisis and the upcoming G-20 Summit,' said a diplomatic source.." [more]

Sabic Faces $40m Loss as Global Steel Prices Fall [Mar 20]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and Industries Qatar will be among the major losing petrochemical companies in the GCC due to the plunge in iron and steel prices in the global market. Both companies are expected to see their iron and steel inventories lose $67.5 million (Dh247.73 million) of market value in the first quarter of this year. Sabic's loss is estimated at about $40 million and that of Industries Qatar is $27.5 million, according to a study by HSBC Bank. Financial research firms, including Shuaa Capital, predicted in their recent reports that Sabic, the world's largest petrochemical firm by market value, would post losses in the first quarter of 2009.." [more]

Saudi-Iranian Relations Since the Fall of Saddam [Mar 20]
"The often tense relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran has been at the center of many of the major political shifts that have occurred in the Middle East since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. This volume documents a study of how relations between the two powers have unfolded in the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Lebanon, and Palestine from 2003 through January 2009. Wehrey et al. detail the complex and multidimensional relationship between Saudi Arabia and Iran and its implications for regional stability and U.S. interests. In doing so, the authors challenge conventional thinking about Saudi-Iranian relations, arguing, for example, that Sunni-Shi’a distinctions are not the key driver in dealings between the two nations, that the two states have a tendency to engage on areas of common interest, and that the notion of a watertight bloc of Gulf Arab states opposing Iran is increasingly unrealistic.." [more]

Young Saudi Activist to Advise G20 Leaders [Mar 20]
"As part of the British Council’s pioneering Global Changemakers initiative, a selected group of young people will represent the voice of their generation when they meet G20 leaders on April 1-2 and discuss the implications of the current global financial crisis and how it affects their own countries. It is the first time that young people have been asked to give their recommendations at a G20 conference. From Saudi Arabia, Yazeed Al-Mujali, a 22-year-old teaching assistant at King Saud University, will participate in the London Summit.. ..The Global Changemakers are a select group of youth (between the ages of 16 and 25) who have demonstrated a significant track record of achievement in their local communities through social entrepreneurship, community activism, and voluntary work.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 19]~~~~~~~~~

Riyadh Likely to go its Own Way on Iran [Mar 19]
"US policymakers should not assume Saudi Arabia will 'act in lockstep' with the United States in countering Iran's influence in the Arab world, a Rand Corp report said on Tuesday. While the Saudis are often viewed as a 'confrontational proxy' against Iran, Riyadh has a demonstrated tendency to hedge its bets, the research organisation said. Instead of lining up against Iran, the Saudi kingdom is pursuing a nuanced approach that incorporates elements of accommodation and engagement, the report said.  There is a rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran but they also work together on various issues.. ..'It is not a black and white relationship,'.." [more]

Saudi Banks Urged to Make Use of Credit Insurance [Mar 19]
"Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) Gov. Muhammad Al-Jasser yesterday stressed the role of credit insurance as an important tool for risk management in financial institutions particularly during the current financial crisis which resulted in an increase in credit risks. Addressing the opening ceremony of a seminar on “The Relation Between Export Credit Insurance and Bank Financing” in the context of Basel II requirements, Al-Jasser encouraged Saudi banks to make use of this instrument which is offered in the Kingdom by the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC). Export credit insurance though established in the developed economies is a relatively new concept in our part of the world and developing countries.." [more]

Saudi Cleric Calls for Independent Shi'ite State [Mar 19]
"Shi’ite cleric Sheikh Nimr A-Nimr from the oil-rich Qatif province in Saudi Arabia has called for independence for the region from the central government in Riyadh. His call came due to the government’s oppression of the country’s Shi’ite population and after Shi’ite worshipers were attacked in the holy city of Medina two weeks ago by Saudi security forces, Arabiaradio.org reported. 'Our dignity is being held, and if it’s not let free, we will examine other options, and any legitimate option will be examined' A-Nimr said in a video posted online. Hundreds of Shi’ites demonstrated in Medina two weeks after the religious police filmed female Shi’ite pilgrims visiting the graves of revered Shi’ite figures in Medina. 'We saw with our own eyes how the dissension forces beat up women. Where’s the dignity? Where’s justice?' A-Nimr said. The ensuing clashes have increased tension between the government and the kingdom’s Shi’ite community, which constitutes between five and 10 percent of the population. Saudi Arabia practices Wahhabism, a strict form of Sunni Islam.." [more]

Law Firms Open Doors to Saudi Women [Mar 19]
" As a first step on the long road leading to Saudi women being able to obtain a license to practice law, law firms are giving female graduates the opportunity to have legal training. Recently, law firms have appointed Saudi women to ‘paralegal’ positions which means that they can do just about all of the work on a legal case but cannot present the case in front of judges in a courtroom. Women are not allowed to represent a client in a courtroom because the Ministry of Justice is still studying the matter of issuing law licenses to females. 'The legal work that takes place outside of the courtroom represents more than 90 percent of the work on a case. This is very important work which can be done by women in law firms,'.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Awards Karan Gas Field Deals [Mar 19]
"Saudi Aramco recently demonstrated its ability to rise to the challenge of meeting the Kingdom’s future demand for gas by awarding contracts for development of the offshore Karan gas field and onshore processing facilities in quick succession.  The latest contract for Karan was awarded to J. Ray McDermott, S.A., a subsidiary of McDermott International Inc., a US oil and gas services company, to develop and construct platforms and a subsea pipeline at the offshore gas field. Saudi Aramco said the offshore work awarded to J. Ray McDermott is in addition to three other contracts for onshore projects awarded earlier: to Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. for gas facilities, the UK’s Petrofac for utilities and co-generation, and Korea’s GS Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. for sulfur recovery.." [more]

EADS Wins $1 Billion Saudi Fence Contract [Mar 19]
"Reuters yesterday afternoon said that European aerospace and defence giant, EADS has won a contract for border security in Sudi Arabia worth $1 billion. This was confirmed by Dr. Stefan Zoller, CEO of EADS' Defence & Security Division and a Member said on Wednesday. The contract determines the building of a 900 kilometre razor-wire border fence shielding Saudi Arabia from its north-eastern neighbour Iraq. Additionally, thermal imaging and radar equipment will be installed. The contract is part of a wider national defence plan to secure Saudi Arabia's 6,500 kilometre borders.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 18]~~~~~~~~~

OPEC Cuts in Place More Than Enough: Naimi [Mar 18]
" OPEC's output curbs already in place were more than enough to balance the oil market and with the group's adherence to them rising no more were needed, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi told Reuters on Wednesday. 'If you make a material balance you will realize that a 4.2 million barrels per day cut is more than adequate with compliance moving in the right direction,' he said, referring to the cuts OPEC made since September. The group agreed on Sunday not to deepen those cuts.
He said compliance with the cuts was around 80 percent in February and should be higher in March. 'With compliance rising there was no further need for additional cuts,' he said of OPEC's Sunday decision.." [more]

Khaled Stresses Consolidation of Saudi Moderation Policies [Mar 18]
"Concerted efforts should be exerted to consolidate the Saudi moderation policies, a system which has achieved remarkable success and made every single citizen of the Kingdom proud, Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, said here on Tuesday.  Warning against two currents flowing in our intellectual life – the Takferi and the Westernization trends, Prince Khaled said the first one wants to strip us of our earthly world while the second is meant to distract us from our faith. 'Each trend has its agenda basically aimed at marginalizing the Saudi moderate method,' he said. 'It is crucial, he said, to confront both these trends by consolidating the moderate and balanced approach.' Prince Khaled was delivering a lecture as part of the cultural season of King Abdulaziz University here for the current academic year.." [more]

KEC Completes Paid-Up Capital; IPO Eyed [Mar 18]
"Knowledge Economic City (KEC), one of four mega economic cities under development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is coming close to listing its name on the Saudi Stock Market Exchange (Tadawul) after completing its paid-up capital through the receipt of a five million sq. meters land in the Holy City of Madinah where KEC is to be developed. Prince Khalid Bin Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz signed the transfer agreement of the land from the 'King Abdullah Foundation for his Parents for Charitable Housing' to the developer’s name at the KEC headquarters - the lead developer company. The signing of the land transfer agreement marked the completion of the company’s shareholders’ contribution to its paid-up capital, and the full entrance of King Abdullah Foundation for his Parents for Charitable Housing into the board of the project’s company. KEC considers the signing of the agreement as one of the last steps to be taken before offering part of its shares in an initial public offering (IPO) planned in the second half of 2009.." [more]

ACE Arabia Cooperative Insurance Company plans Initial Public Offering [Mar 18]
"ACE Arabia Cooperative Insurance Company has announced that it will make an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Tadawul in Saudi Arabia. The IPO will take place on 18th April 2009 and will run until the 27th April 2009. ACE Arabia will list with capital of SAR 100 million ($26.6 million) and four million shares will be offered to the public which represents 40 per cent of the company shares.. ..Saudi Arabia has been a key market for ACE in the region for many years and our team there have done an excellent job in building a company with a strong track-record of profitable growth. The completion of the IPO is the next stage in this history of success, and it marks our continuing commitment to a market which we believe has much potential, especially in ACE's areas of product strength. ACE has had a presence in the Saudi Arabian market for 30 years in partnership.." [more]

Aramco Earmarks $60 bln for Oil and Gas Projects [Mar 18]
"State oil firm Saudi Aramco plans to spend $60 billion on oil and gas projects through 2014, a newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing a contractor in business with Aramco. 'Saudi Aramco has informed its large local contractors and agents of global firms that it had allocated a budget reaching $60 billion to carry out oil and gas projects of various sizes up to 2014,' al-Watan newspaper reported, citing 'one of Aramco's large contractors'. Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf told Reuters in November the kingdom planned to invest $100 billion in the oil sector until 2014. Turmoil in world credit markets and tumbling crude oil prices have prompted energy companies globally to review their more expensive projects or cut back on spending to preserve liquidity. Aramco plans 144 projects until 2014, including eight "giant" projects, it said this month, without giving a timetable. Last week ConocoPhillips said that the refiner would likely make an investment decision on its Yanbu joint venture refinery in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Armed With E-Learning, Education Sector Will See Dramatic Progress [Mar 18]
"..Minister of Higher Education Khaled Al-Anqari opened the first international conference on 'E-Learning and Distance-Learning' on Monday with a pledge to set up the necessary infrastructure and national standards in Saudi Arabia. 'The Kingdom is implementing a national plan under which most universities will adopt the new system of e-learning next year,' said Al-Anqari. 'This is part of our developmental plan to promote e-learning and distance learning,' said the minister.. ..The program entitled “Smart Campus System” aims at encouraging computer-based teaching and learning in Saudi Arabia, he said. Referring to the objectives behind the event, he said that the main one was to discuss and highlight issues and challenges in the context of implementing e-learning.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 17]~~~~~~~~~

King Says Economy Strong Enough to Withstand Crisis [Mar 17]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said on Monday that the Saudi economy has the strength and resilience to confront the global economic crisis. Chairing the weekly cabinet session, King Abdullah said Saudi Arabia’s economic strength is best manifested in the continuation of investment and spending programs on different development projects.  King Abdullah also touched on the finance ministers’ meeting of the Group of 20 developed and emerging nations in Britain over the weekend before the G20 summit in London on April 2 and said Saudi Arabia will participate in the summit.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Warns Against Premature Shift to Renewable Energy [Mar 17]
"Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, cautioned against falling investment in fossil fuels and a “premature shift” to renewable energy, which may leave the world short of fuels when the economy recovers. All energy sources have a role in meeting the energy demand though the fossil fuels of oil, natural gas and coal will remain the world’s energy 'work horse' for many decades to come, Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said in a speech at the Energy Pact Conference in Geneva on Monday. Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members agreed on Sinday in Vienna to maintain current production quotas, concerned that a fourth cut since September risked increasing energy costs while the global economy deteriorates. New technologies, such as carbon capture and storage, will help make fossil fuels more environmentally acceptable, he said.." [more]

KEPCO Picked Top Bidder for Saudi Power Plant [Mar 17]
"State-run Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO) (015760.KS) has been named the top-ranked bidder in a race to win a $2.5 billion fuel-oil power plant project in Saudi Arabia, the power monopoly said on Tuesday. A consortium -- including KEPCO, which supplies nearly all of the power used in South Korea, and Saudi's ACWA Power International -- has been picked as the preferred bidder, against a consortium of Belgium's Suez, England's IP and Saudi's Oger, the firm said in a statement. The Rabigh project is to build the 1,204 megawatt fuel oil power plant in the city of Rabigh by 2013, and operate the unit until 2033.." [more]

Saudi Arabia A Good Option For Malaysian Business [Mar 17]
"Malaysian companies have been urged to grab various business and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the Middle East, and in areas such as housing, education, halal industry, furniture, tourism, healthcare and franchising.  The Malaysian trade commissioner in Jeddah, Amran Yem said despite the current economic downturn, Saudi Arabia was forging ahead with development efforts, having announced a budget of tens of billions of dollars for 2009. 'Many countries in the Gulf region are reportedly postponing projects and activities but this is generally not the case for oil-rich Saudi Arabia,' he told reporters ahead of the Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE) 2009 at the Dubai Airport Expo which opens here Tuesday.  According to Amran, Saudi Arabia held Malaysia in high esteem for its know-how, Malaysian firms should leverage upon competency and good work ethics shown.." [more]

Shoura Ends Debate on Domestic Workers’ Bill [Mar 17]
"The Shoura Council yesterday completed discussions on the Kingdom’s first law regulating the rights and duties of housemaids and other workers in the same category. The law will be finalized once members’ proposals are considered and incorporated.  “This is the first time such a law has been drafted in the Kingdom to regulate the relation between employers and their domestic aides,” Mohammed Al-Ghamdi, secretary-general of the Shoura, told the Saudi Press Agency. The law that was presented to the Shoura by the panel for administrative and human resource affairs takes into consideration peculiarities of the work that housemaids do, and their relation with employers and their families. The committee has made some changes in some of the law’s 23 articles after conducting detailed studies, Al-Ghamdi said, adding that the law would be presented to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for approval after the Shoura’s endorsement.." [more]

Al-Jawhara to Saudi Women: Do Not Accept Half-Solutions [Mar 17]
"A seat in the Council of Ministers was among the most pressing demands made by Saudi women who attended a special function held on Saturday night by the Jeddah Literary Club to honor a number of Saudi women for their outstanding accomplishments on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. Deputy Chairman of the National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) Al-Jawhara Al-Anqari disagreed with the system having gender segregation in schools and in the administration of education. She said that since education is a human right for all there is no need for such separation. 'Women were consulted during the early days of Islam. Such authority was acceptable then,' she said. In her speech after being decorated, Al-Jawhara called on Saudi women to strongly defend all God-given rights. 'Do not accept half-solutions,' she added.." [more]

Ideal Oil Price Between $60 and $75 a Barrel: Al-Naimi [Mar 17]
"Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi said yesterday the 'ideal' price for oil lies between $60 and $75 a barrel. 'Forty dollars is not enough, you need in between $60 and $75 to allow marginal producers to continue producing ethanol, heavy oil,' he said at an energy conference here. 'I would say that the ideal price for ability of the marginal producers to put more resources in the market is in between $60 and $75,' he added. Al-Naimi said such a price level was necessary to maintain the minimum viable levels of investment needed in the oil industry. Oil rose to more than $47 yesterday, reversing earlier losses, on the view that OPEC cuts had started to take effect and a rally in equity markets.." [more]

U.S. and Saudi Forces Extend Hands in Friendship One 2009 [Mar 17]
"Over the next few weeks, National Guard Soldiers from the U.S., along with U.S. Army Central service members, will work side by side with Royal Saudi Land Forces to strengthen military interoperability and relations between the two nations through a field training exercise called Friendship One 2009. '[Friendship One] has multiple facets to it. But most important, it’s a great opportunity to help with interaction with a foreign army to be able to build a friendship with them and a relationship that will be long lasting,' said Lt. Col. Anthony Mohatt, battalion commander, 2nd Battalion 137th Combined Arms Battalion, Kansas National Guard. All exercise participants have arrived in Saudi Arabia and will begin training the first week of March; however, some training has already taken place for U.S. and Saudi advanced party elements, who are responsible for receiving, staging, training and supporting exercise participants. This training included opportunities for observer controller trainers to begin to familiarize themselves with different radio and Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems that will be used in the field exercises.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 16]~~~~~~~~~

Saudis Say Oil Price of $60-$75 Eventually Needed [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia is willing to keep oil output below its OPEC quota level of about 8 million barrels a day unless consumers want more, the Saudi oil minister said. Oil prices of $40 a barrel are too low and a range of between $60 and $75 is needed to allow production of higher-cost oil resources, according to Ali al-Naimi, minister for the world’s largest oil-exporting nation. 'We need between $60 and $75 to allow marginal producers to continue producing ethanols, tar sands, heavy oils,' he said in Geneva today. Saudi Arabia and other members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed on Sunday in Vienna to maintain current production quotas, concerned that a fourth cut since September risked increasing energy costs while the global economy deteriorates.." [more]

ICC Move Against Beshir Politically Motivated: Saud [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia on Sunday toughened the tone of its opposition to the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue a war crimes indictment against Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir. 'It’s a politically motivated decision, otherwise it would not have come at this particular time despite the counterproductive results that it will yield,' Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister, told reporters in Riyadh. 'This decision will not lead to the stability of Sudan or solve the Darfur issue,” he added. “We stand by Sudan with our heart and soul.' Prince Saud stressed that the Kingdom stands by Sudan’s sovereignty, stability, preservation of its security and territorial integrity. Prince Saud said the rest of the Arab leaders will be informed of the results of the Quartet summit which he hoped will be the basis for a new phase that will advance and develop joint Arab work.." [more]

Saudi Seeks to Invest in Developing Economies [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Ibrahim Abdel Aziz Al Assaf said his country is seeking to invest in developing economies.  "We are satisfied investing in the country, however if there are investment opportunities outside then we will not shy away from them," he said in an interview with Bloomberg Television at a meeting of the Group of 20 nations in southern England. 'A number of our investment funds are looking at investments in those countries as well as in emerging and developing countries.' The worst financial crisis since the 1930s Great Depression has led to more than $1.2 trillion (Dh4.4trn) in losses at banks and financial institutions worldwide. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, the nation's central bank, had $501bn under management at the end of last year, up from $385bn in 2007, according to a report by economists at the Council on Foreign Relations January 15. The world's largest oil exporter has said it remains committed to a $400bn spending programme to boost the economy and help create jobs to cushion the effect of the global economic crisis.." [more]

Be Consistent, Saud Tells Iran About Support for Arab Causes [Mar 16]
"King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, received here Sunday a message from President Ahmadinejad on relations between the two countries and the situation in the Arabian Gulf region and the Middle East. The message was delivered by Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. 'I met him afterwards and discussed with him all these questions in a spirit of honesty, clarity and transparence,' said Prince Saud, who welcomed Mottaki at the airport. 'Although we appreciate Iranian support for Arab causes, we believe that such support should be channeled through the legitimate Arab doorways and be consistent with its goals and positions, that such support for Arab causes be expressive and not a replacement for it,' Prince Saud said at his weekly press conference.." [more]

We’re Not Supporting Any Party in Pakistan – Assiri [Mar 16]
"Saudi Arabia is not interfering in the internal political affairs of Pakistan and is not supporting any party in the ongoing crisis, Ali Awaad Assiri, Saudi Ambassador to Islamabad, has said. At the same time, he said, Saudi Arabia is exerting all its efforts for the unity and stability of Pakistan. Riyadh, he said, is keeping a close eye on the political developments in Pakistan and hope that all parties there exercise restraint and act with wisdom and prudence for the good of their own country. Assiri was reacting to concerns in a section of the society that Saudi Arabia was not playing an active role in diffusing the crisis in Pakistan. 'Riyadh will never ever give up its responsibilities regarding Islamabad'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 15]~~~~~~~~~

Iran FM Visits Saudi Amid Regional Tensions [Mar 15]
"Iran's top diplomat made a surprise visit to Saudi Arabia Sunday amid rising tensions between the Islamic Republic and the Arab world. Manouchehr Mottaki was met by his Saudi counterpart, Prince Saud al-Faisal, at Riyadh Air Force base and is expected to later meet with the Saudi monarch. The visit comes after Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria held a mini-summit in Riyadh last week to patch up their differences which largely revolve around the role of Iran in the region. Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit accused Iran on last week of "manipulating" Arab states to incresase its influence and Saudi Arabia has called for a "unified Arab" approach to Iran.." [more]

Singapore a Draw for Saudi Tertiary Students [Mar 15]
"Singapore has long been a popular destination for students from Southeast Asia and China seeking an overseas education. Now, the country is also proving attractive to the Saudis. At least 70 King Abdullah scholars are expected this year, a huge jump from the pioneer batch of 14 who will be entering their third year at local universities in August. Singapore and Saudi Arabia have had a cooperation framework for education and scientific research since 2006. And interestingly, men make up less than half the 54 Saudi students pursuing graduate and post-graduate studies here in Singapore. Issues like safety and convenience draw the women, who form nearly 58 per cent of the Saudi student population here.." [more]

Watchdog Appeals to Saudi Arabia Over Domestic Worker Abuse [Mar 15]
"Human Rights Watch has made a new appeal to authorities in Saudi Arabia to improve conditions for foreign nationals employed as domestic workers. The rights movement says that working in private homes should not mean the loss of basic protection. Human Rights Watch says there are about 1.5 million foreign women employed as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia. Many are from Asian countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. The rights group says that foreign diplomatic missions and the Saudi authorities themselves receive thousands of complaints of abuse each year. Among the most common grievances are underpayment, overwork forced confinement in the workplace, verbal, physical and sexual abuse.." [more]

India's Request on Haj Under Active Consideration:Saudi Arabia [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia has assured India that it will give active consideration to New Delhi's request to keep in abeyance the requirement of international passports for the Haj pilgrimage for a year. The assurance was given by Saudi authorities to Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed who is on a visit to Riyadh. Ahamed said India will be making arrangements to issue machine-readable Haj Special Pass which will address the requirement of the Saudi authorities. The Saudi authorities told Ahamed that a final decision on New Delhi's request will be taken after discussions on security and other concerns. In January, the Saudi government informed New Delhi that Indians undertaking Haj from this year would require normal passports as special documents issued for the annual pilgrimage will no longer be valid. It had asked India to issue visas for Haj pilgrims only on normal 'international' passports and not on the Haj pilgrim 'passes' as has been the practice till last year.." [more]

Shiites Are Not Targeted: Naif [Mar 15]
" Interior Minister Prince Naif stated yesterday that the arrest of people involved in violence near the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah last month was not aimed at any particular sect. 'It is not a matter of targeting Shiites or others as much as it is a matter of dealing with anyone who breaks the law or tries to cause offense in the country, especially in the Two Holy Cities of Makkah and Madinah,' he said. The minister said the authorities would not allow anybody to violate the country’s law. 'What took place at Baqie Graveyard in Madinah has been exaggerated by certain quarters that want to cause harm to the Kingdom,' Prince Naif was quoted as saying by the Saudi Press Agency. The Interior Ministry said that nine people were arrested following the violence. They were released recently as a result of an amnesty granted by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.." [more]

Kingdom’s Trade Surplus With China Tops SR76bn [Mar 15]
"China is rapidly emerging as one the most powerful trading partners of Saudi Arabia. In many ways, links between the two have grown dramatically because of each country’s strengths. China is now the second largest source of imports to the Kingdom and ranked fifth as a destination for Saudi exports. And the Kingdom is China’s biggest trading partner in the West Asia and North Africa region. It is against this background that a Chinese trade delegation held a meeting with local businessmen at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) yesterday. JCCI Vice Chairman Mazen Batterjee said China was among the most important countries in the Kingdom’s 'Look East' policy. He urged JCCI members and other businessmen to take advantage of China’s prowess in the manufacturing sector and expand the bilateral scope for joint ventures.." [more]

Govt to Step Up Loans to Companies [Mar 15]
"Saudi Arabia will use state investment funds to extend credit to companies in an effort to make up for banks’ reluctance to lend and stimulate an economy hit by the collapse in oil prices. In an interview with the Financial Times ahead of Group of 20 finance ministers’ meeting in the UK, Saudi Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is stepping up its level of lending, extending the maturing of loans available to companies and providing them with a five-year grace period. While the PIF can lend only to companies in which it owns shares, the Industrial Development Fund and a government-owned credit savings bank are increasing their funding for small and medium-sized companies. Al-Assaf said the economy of the world’s biggest oil exporter had not been as badly affected as others by the global financial crisis, in spite of the sharp drop in oil revenues. Saudi banks have largely avoided investments in toxic assets but, nevertheless, they have been tightening their risk criteria.." [more]

Experts Call for Financial Aid for Unemployed Saudis [Mar 15]
"Stressing that the Kingdom places social welfare as one of its top priorities, several experts engaged in social work have called for the creation of a social security system that can be applied to unemployed youth. More specifically, they have called upon the authorities concerned to allocate in the state’s budget funds to be paid to the unemployed in the form of temporary financial aid.. ..The latest statistics released by the General Statistics Department indicate that 10 percent of the Saudi population is unemployed. The same statistics show that 30 percent of unemployed youth have secondary school certificates, 37 percent have bachelor degrees, 80.4 percent of the unemployed are unmarried, 17.8 percent are married, 0.15 percent are widows and 1.7 percent are divorcees.." [more]

March 8-March 14, 2009

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 14]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi’s Naimi Says OPEC Cut Compliance Can Be Better [Mar 14]
"Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said the oil market is not yet balanced and compliance with OPEC production cuts could be better. The 12 members the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, supplying about 40 percent of the world’s oil, meets tomorrow in Vienna to review compliance with production cutbacks set last year and to decide whether more reductions are needed. 'Compliance is very good,' al-Naimi told reporters as he arrived at his hotel in Vienna today. 'We would like to see compliance as high as possible. It is over 80 percent now, it can be better.' The world economy is not as healthy as it should be and global demand this year will be 'significantly' less than last year, al-Naimi said. Members are still implementing 4.2 million barrels a day of reductions agreed in three separate meetings last year to support oil prices. Asked whether he will recommend another round of cutbacks tomorrow, Al-Naimi said 'we will tell you tomorrow.'.." [more]

Obama Calls Saudi King Ahead of G-20 Summit [Mar 14]
"US President Barack Obama on Friday spoke to Saudi King Abdullah, in the latest of a string of conversations with foreign leaders to prepare the ground for the G-20 economic crisis summit next month in London. The White House said that Obama also used the telephone conversation to note the vital nature of the US-Saudi relationship on efforts to forge peace in the Middle East. 'The President spoke with King Abdullah ahead of the G-20 meetings in London about the need to coordinate international efforts to restore economic growth,' the White House said in a statement. 'As part of our continuing close consultations with an important friend, the President and King Abdullah also reaffirmed the importance of a strong US-Saudi relationship in promoting peace and security in the region.'.." [more]

Saudi Denies Shiites Targeted in Sunni Kingdom [Mar 14]
" Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul Aziz denied on Saturday that Shiite pilgrims were specially targeted by security forces in the ultra-conservative Sunni kingdom last month. 'It is not a matter of targeting Shiites or others as much as it is a matter (of dealing with) anyone who goes against the law or tries to offend anything in the nation,' Prince Nayef said in remarks published by the Okaz newspaper. Violence broke out in February between Shiite pilgrims and security forces in the Muslim holy city of Medina in western Saudi Arabia. The Saudi interior ministry said nine people were arrested in the violence near Al-Baqi cemetery adjacent to the Prophet Mohammed's mosque, which attracts millions of pilgrims every year. According to accounts from Shiite Muslims, the pilgrims were angered when Sunni religious police made videos of Shiite women in their group and the dispute later boiled over into violence.." [more]

Saudi Crown Prince Health Excellent [Mar 14]
"The condition of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Sultan is 'excellent and very reassuring' after a surgery, his brother Interior Minister Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz said in remarks published on Saturday. Prince Sultan, thought to be 84 and who is next in line to rule the kingdom, had undergone an operation last month in New York which official Saudi media described as successful. 'The crown prince is in the best condition and he is in good health, all that remains to be done is the completion of simple procedures for him to leave the hospital soon,' Okaz newspaper quoted Prince Nayef as saying from New York.." [more]

Saudi Criminal Gang Leader Beheaded in Riyadh [Mar 14]
"Saudi authorities have beheaded a man convicted of petty theft and running a prostitution ring. An Interior Ministry statement said Nasser bin Fahd was executed on Friday in the city of Riyadh after being found guilty of running a gang responsible for stealing jewelry and cars, threatening women and selling drugs. Saudi Arabia follows a strict interpretation of Islam under which people convicted of murder, drug trafficking, rape and armed robbery can be executed - usually with a sword. 
Monday's execution brings to 15 the number of beheadings in the kingdom this year. In 2008, 102 people were beheaded.." [more]

Assiri is New Envoy to Lebanon [Mar 14]
"Ali Awaad Assiri, the Kingdom’s Ambassador to Pakistan, who is also dean of the Saudi diplomatic corps, has been appointed as ambassador to Lebanon, sources said. Assiri will replace Abdul Aziz Khoja who was appointed as Minister of Information and Culture in the recent major cabinet reshuffle made by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. When contacted by telephone, Assiri neither denied nor confirmed the appointment. But he said he was proud of the confidence placed on him by the Kingdom’s leadership. He expressed his readiness to work in any position for the country. The sources said the present Saudi Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Abdul Aziz Al-Ghadair, would replace Assiri in Islamabad.." [more]

OPEC and IEA on Collision Course [Mar 14]
"The world is awash with oil and the OPEC is meeting tomorrow to chalk out its course — exceptionally trying environment indeed. With little space available for storing oil now, markets continue to be battered. In the United States, vast storage oil farms are almost out of room and some oil-producing countries have pumped millions of barrels into idle tankers that are now serving as little more than floating storage tanks. And consequent to all this, the OPEC and the IEA (International Energy Agency) are on an open collision course — for the first time in some years. Ominous signs all around! OPEC has limited options in the given circumstances. And despite serious attempts at stemming the slide, they seem fighting a losing battle, some argue.." [more]

Profit-Taking Hits Saudi Small Cap Stocks [Mar 14]
"Saudi shares plummeted for the fourth consecutive week amid a spate of pre-emptive selling of blue chips particularly petrochemical and banking stocks before they announce their first quarter results. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plunged 5.02 percent from last week, closing at 4,130.15 points. TASI is currently 14 percent lower than the year’s start.  'The Saudi stock market will continue its narrow fluctuation, while investors eye the upcoming corporate results for the first quarter of 2009,' the Riyadh-based Bakheet Investment Group (BIG) said in its weekly report. Small cap stocks continued their negative performance last week as a result of profit-taking trades, especially in the insurance and agriculture sectors, the BIG said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 13]~~~~~~~~~

Freeman Episode Shows Obama in Bad Light, Say Saudi Political Observers [Mar 13]
In the wake of former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Charles Freeman’s decision to withdraw from the vetting process for chairman of the National Intelligence Council (NIC), US news sources allege that a former Israel lobbyist awaiting trial on espionage charges was behind the effort to discredit him. 'I have concluded that the barrage of libelous distortions of my record would not cease upon my entry into office,” Freeman wrote in a letter to friends and supporters regarding his withdrawal. “The  effort to smear me and to destroy my credibility would instead continue. I do not believe the NIC could function effectively while its chair was under constant attack by unscrupulous people with a passionate attachment to the views of a political faction in a foreign country.'.. ..Political observers here in Saudi Arabia described the former ambassador’s announcement as utterly disappointing. 'President Barack Obama is swimming against the tide,” said Khaled Batarfi, a senior political analyst. “He will have to keep trying to get his men in the positions that he want them to. Obama would have faced similar problems if his choice of Middle East envoy George J. Mitchell had gone through US Congress. Mitchell would have lost in getting the US Congress approval. Despite being a Democratic Congress we know it is actually an Israeli Congress.'.." [more]

The Saudis Were Right [Mar 13]
"The European plan for a 'Mediterranean Union' to bring North African and Middle Eastern countries into Europe's economic and political orbit has met with sharply different responses. Some Arab countries like Morocco greeted the plan, launched with great fanfare last year by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, with high hopes and enthusiasm. Others, like Saudi Arabia which sent a low-key delegation to the launch, have been skeptical. It now looks as if the Saudis were right. The European Union's concept of solidarity is looking very thin this year.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 12]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Arabia Makes Efforts to Create Jobs for Women [Mar 12]
"The government of Saudi Arabia is exerting all efforts to create more job opportunities for women in various sectors. 'The government is determined to create an appropriate environment for women at work places in line with Islamic principles and the tradition of Saudi Arabia,' a source said. The government's resolve to expand job opportunities for Saudi women in different economic sectors comes at a time when a large section of the community is still reluctant to grant women more freedom. At the forefront of this group are some members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (commonly known as the religious police), who want women's jobs at shopping centres to be restricted to only those shops that deal with the sale of women's abayas.." [more]

Saudi Academy in Va. Revises Islamic History Books [Mar 12]
"An Islamic school in northern Virginia with close ties to the Saudi government has revised its religious textbooks in an effort to end years of criticism that the school fosters hatred and intolerance. While the Islamic Saudi Academy deleted some of the most contentious passages from the texts, copies provided to The Associated Press show that enough sensitive material remains to fuel critics who claim the books show intolerance toward those who do not follow strict interpretations of Islam. The academy, which teaches nearly 900 students in grades K-12 at its campus just outside the Capital Beltway, developed new Islamic studies textbooks for all grades after a 2008 congressional report called portions of the previous editions troubling. The school provided the AP copies of the new textbooks, which revise language on hot-button issues such as requiring women to cover their heads and how Muslims should relate to people of other religions. School officials say the books are part of the school's effort to promote universal values of tolerance and kindness and modernize some of the lessons.." [more]

Saudi $3.36B Power-Water Project on Line This Year [Mar 12]
"A top Saudi official says the world's biggest combined power generation-desalination plant is set to launch this year in the kingdom. Prince Saud bin Thunayyan, head of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, was quoted by the Saudi El-Ektisadiyah newspaper Wednesday as saying the $3.36 billion combined plant will then begin commercial operations in the Jubail Industrial City by March of 2010. The plant, which is slated to produce 2,750 megawatts of electricity and 800,000 cubic meters of water per day, is key to Saudi Arabia. The oil-rich desert nation faces chronic water shortages, particularly as it looks to boost its agricultural and industrial sectors.." [more]

Saudi Export Ban Helps Asian Cement Firms to Enter GCC [Mar 12]
"Several Asian cement companies are making an aggressive entry into the Gulf market at the expense of Saudi Arabia's companies. 'The Saudi companies have to pay the price for the government's earlier decision to impose a ban on exports of cement products.' 'The Asian companies are major gainers of this,' said Prince Sultan Bin Mohammad Bin Saud Al Kabeer, managing director of Al Yamama Cement Company. 'The decision to ban exports of cement has resulted in the local companies losing a golden chance to market their products to neighbouring countries. Consequently, they were driven out of the GCC [Gulf Co-operation Council] markets,' he said.. ..He said the negotiations by Saudi cement companies with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to lift the export ban have not been successful. 'Even if we resumed exports now, there may not be the best opportunities that had prevailed earlier in the Gulf market.' 'This is because the Asian companies, especially those from India and Pakistan, occupied the position that was left vacant after the kingdom's exit from the market.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Embassy Rejects Yemeni Parliamentary Member into its Lands [Mar 12]
"Saudi Arabian Embassy in Sana'a refused to grant an entry visa to Zakaria Al-Zekeri, member of the Yemeni Parliament, into its lands. The MP Al-Zekeri was chosen among the official Yemeni delegation going to Saudi Arabia headed by Ahmad Ali Abdullah Saleh President of the Republic's son. However, he was informed that Saudi Arabian Embassy has granted visas to all members except him. Al-Zekeri quoted saying that he did not know anything about the reason. He was surprised at this act explaining that he has not any problems with the Kingdom where he have lived for a long time before his last visit there in 1990 .Other press sources, on the other hand, quoted Al-Zekeri saying that the reason behind not to be granted a visa is due to supporting al-Wasat newspaper last year when accused of abusing of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He added that the Yemeni delegation should refuse to travel in response to this act.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 11]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi, Syrian, Egyptian Summit Today in Riyadh [Mar 11]
"In what is seen as a further thrust to strengthen reconciliation among Arab countries, King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, will hold talks here Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.. ..The tripartite meeting comes ahead of the Arab Summit in Doha, Qatar, on March 30 where, in response to King Abdullah’s call made during the recent Arab League economic summit in Kuwait, the leaders will strive to clear the air, coordinate Arab stands and reinforce unity. In Riyadh on Wednesday, the leaders are also expected to discuss efforts to achieve Palestinian national unity and discussing the implications of the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir.." [more]

Business Community Bids Farewell to Fraker [Mar 11]
"Outgoing US Ambassador Ford Fraker said yesterday that American relations with Saudi Arabia had received a “great boost” during the past few years. “The strength of growing relationship is evident from the fact that in a span of few months former US President George W. Bush visited the Kingdom twice during his presidency,” he said while speaking at a farewell reception hosted by the local business community headed by Abdul Khaliq Saeed at the Jeddah Hilton. A number of officials, diplomats and business leaders including members of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry were among those present.." [more]

Al-Dabbagh Assures Foreign Investors of Saudi Economy [Mar 11]
"Amr Al-Dabbagh, governor of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), sought to assure foreign investors about the strength of the Saudi economy, saying that the fundamentals of the Kingdom’s economy were very strong. Al-Dabbagh said the Saudi government was moving forward with its visionary development plans, which were not only bringing increased international exposure but increased foreign direct investments (FDI) into the Kingdom. 'More and more countries are starting to recognize Saudi Arabia’s value proposition, especially at a time of global economic downturn,'.." [more]

Freeman Withdraws as Head of National Intelligence Council [Mar 11]
"Charles Freeman, a former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia under attack for his Middle Eastern and Chinese ties, withdrew from consideration as chairman of the National Intelligence Council because of what he called “distortions” and “falsehoods” about his record. Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, who named Freeman to the post, yesterday accepted the decision “with regret,” according to a statement from his office. Freeman was in the final stages of getting security clearance to head the council, which helps put together National Intelligence Estimates about potential threats around the world and foreign policy issues for the president and head of intelligence services. His withdrawal was the culmination of weeks of criticism from Republican and Democratic lawmakers and pro- Israel lobbyists who questioned Freeman’s objectivity on issues in the Middle East. Some lawmakers also questioned his views on China.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Inflation Falls to 6.9 pct in Feb [Mar 11]
"Annual inflation in Saudi Arabia fell for a fourth month in February to 6.9 percent, the lowest rate in more than a year, as inflationary pressures ease on lower commodity prices and a slowdown in local demand. Inflation in the world's top oil exporter, which had peaked last year at more than 11 percent in July, fell from 7.9 percent in January, the kingdom's Central Department of Statistics said on its website on Wednesday, without giving a breakdown. The Saudi cost of living index rose to 120.6 points on Feb. 28 compared with 112.8 points a year earlier, the data showed. The month-on-month rise in prices was 0.08 percent. 'We have lower demand, lower output, a slowdown in money supply's growth and food prices abroad are beginning to decline although not substantially,'.." [more]

Saudi Capital Covered in Dust After Sandstorm [Mar 11]
"Residents of Saudi Arabia's capital are cleaning up after a huge sandstorm blanketed the city with a thick layer of yellow dust.  Cars and houses are covered by sand after the Tuesday storm forced the closure of the international airport and shut down schools. The Saudi Press Agency says flights to Khaled International Airport were diverted Tuesday to airports in Jeddah and Dammam. The airport has since reopened. Hospitals dispatched emergency teams to dozens of residents suffering from breathing problems. Billowing clouds of sand engulfed the city and surrounding areas, forcing drivers to slow to a crawl and people to stay indoors. Sandstorms are common in Saudi Arabia during the spring.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 10]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Aramco Maintains Japan Oil Supply Reductions [Mar 10]
"Saudi Aramco maintained cuts in contracted supplies of oil to Japan in April, refinery officials said, fueling speculation OPEC’s largest producer may not urge a further reduction in crude output when the group meets March 15. The Dhahran, Saudi Arabia-based producer will lower shipments to Japanese processors including Nippon Oil Corp. and Idemitsu Kosan Co. by between 11 percent and 14 percent from levels agreed under annual contracts, said officials at three refiners who received notices from the company late yesterday. The April cuts match the size of the reduction in shipments the previous month, the officials said. They asked not to be identified because of confidentiality agreements. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will decide whether to trim the group’s output for a fourth time when ministers gather in Vienna on March 15. Crude oil rose for a third day in New York, trading near the highest levels for two months on signs lower OPEC output is lowering global supplies.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Lashes for 75-Year-Old Widow [Mar 10]
"A 75-year-old widow living in Saudi Arabia has been sentenced to 40 lashes and four months in jail for mingling with two young men who are not close relatives, her lawyer said Monday. The newspaper Al Watan said the woman, Khamisa Sawadi, met with two 24-year-old men in April after she asked them to bring five loaves of bread to her home. The two men, her nephew and his business partner, were arrested by the religious police after delivering the bread, the newspaper said. They were also sentenced to lashes and imprisonment. The verdict against Ms. Sawadi, a Syrian who was married to a Saudi, also orders her deportation after her sentence is served. Her lawyer said he would appeal.." [more]

Saudis and Syrians Cement Detente [Mar 10]
"Saudi Arabia says King Abdullah is to hold talks with the Syrian leader in Riyadh on Wednesday. The king and President Bashar al-Assad will discuss "ways to bolster bilateral ties", the Saudi press agency said. He will also meet Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, the agency said, without drawing a link between the visits. Syrian-Saudi relations have come under strain in recent years, caused by sharp differences over Iran, Lebanon and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.. ..Syria has been trying to put behind it the diplomatic isolation it suffered following the assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri in 2005. Damascus denied involvement in the staunchly pro-Saudi billionaire's murder, which is now the subject of an international tribunal which has opened in The Hague.." [more]

ICC Warrant Worsens Sudan Crisis – Kingdom [Mar 10]
"Saudi Arabia on Monday said the International Criminal Court’s move to indict Sudanese President Omar Hasan Al-Beshir would only aggravate matters and offer no solution to the Darfur crisis. The Council of Ministers, chaired by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, expressed its concern over the warrant, saying it would lead nowhere and would not help solve in any way Sudan’s problems.. ..The minister said the Cabinet expressed full support to Sudan in confronting whatever destabilizes its sovereignty and unity.." [more]

TASI Nears 4,000 Mark [Mar 10]
"Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All-Share Index on Monday painfully slid to a new low, approaching the 4,000 points barrier and raising fears that the market was on a last gasp struggle to survive. The day closed with the TASI at 4,130.01, registering a 80.67 point drop – 1.92 percent from Sunday’s close. The fall reflected a general worldwide gloom. World stocks sank towards 14-year lows in a broad-based selloff on Monday, dragged lower in Europe and Asia by economic gloom and worries about the US banking system. The TASI has been steadily falling since Feb. 15 and is now a far cry from its high of 20,996 points three years ago.." [more]

Disneyland to Woo Saudi Tourists [Mar 10]
"With the summer holidays looming, a special delegation from Disneyland Resort in Paris made a presentation in Riyadh on Sunday to promote it as a tourist destination for a family holiday for Saudis. 'We are very excited at the prospect of a new partner in the region. We very much look forward to working with a prestigious Saudi company to drive increased visits to Disneyland Resort Paris from the Middle East,' Jean-Marc Murre, international sales director, Disneyland Resort Paris, told newsmen at the Marriott Hotel. He said that resort could fulfill the expectations of Saudi families for their holidays.." [more]

N. Ireland Taps Saudi Market [Mar 10]
"A trade delegation of 23 companies from Northern Ireland visited the Kingdom recently. Noel Johnson, head of the Asia Trade Mission from Northern Ireland, said that the region is keen to build mutually beneficial business relationships in important global markets such as Saudi Arabia. Northern Ireland is now one of the most dynamic regions. Its economic growth is now being driven by locally elected administration which has created a strongly pro-business and stable environment that supports and encourages investment and export development.." [more]

GOP Senators Question Intelligence Pick's Ties [Mar 10]
"All seven Republican members of the Senate intelligence committee yesterday joined a small chorus of voices on Capitol Hill criticizing the choice of a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia for a senior intelligence position, concerned about his views on Israel and his past relationships with Saudi and Chinese interests. Charles W. Freeman Jr. was picked by Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair to lead the National Intelligence Council. In that position, he will oversee production of national intelligence estimates and shorter assessments on specific issues, tapping experts from among the 16 intelligence agencies. The position does not require Senate confirmation. The outspoken Freeman was assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs from 1993 to 1994 and was U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia heading into and during the Persian Gulf War. In the 1980s, he was deputy chief of mission in Beijing and then Bangkok.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 9]~~~~~~~~~

Pak Aide In Constructive Talks With Saudi Officials [Mar 9]
"Senior Pakistani official Shaukat Tareen has held 'constructive' talks with Saudi officials during his short stay in Riyadh and Jeddah. Shaukat Tareen, financial adviser to the Pakistani prime minister, told reporters here on Sunday that his discussions with Saudi officials centered on providing economic and political stability to Pakistan.. ..Tareen said his discussions also involved enhancing the volume of trade between the Kingdom and Pakistan especially the export of agricultural products such as rice, meat etc. to Saudi Arabia. 'Pakistan can contribute in various fields in Saudi Arabia like manpower and skill development. Likewise, Saudi Arabia can open vocational training centers in Pakistan where Pakistani workers will get training in technical skills and language specifically to work in Saudi Arabia,'.." [more]

Saudi Woman Appointed Editor of Medical Journal [Mar 9]
"A Saudi scientist has been appointed as associate editor of prestigious BMC Genomics, an online journal published by the UK-based BioMed Central. Dr. Khawla Al-Kuraya, principal scientist and director of King Fahd National Center for Children’s Cancer and Research, said it was 'one of those rare recognitions that scientists aspire for.' 'I’m truly flattered by the fact that the works we’ve been doing locally for the past few years have received such international recognition,' she added. Under Al-Kuraya’s leadership, the research program at King Fahd National Center has earned recognition as an active partner of global cancer research. In her new role as the associate editor of BMC Genomics, Al-Kuraya will select, review and edit scientific works from around the world in the area of cancer genomics.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Hosts More Cultural Events Amid Concerns by Some Citizens [Mar 9]
"When word spread that Brazil was going to be the guest of honour at the Riyadh International Book Fair, a Saudi official had to reassure the public that the Brazilians wouldn't be dancing the Samba at the 11-day event that opened recently. The question to Abdul Aziz Al Subeil, a senior Information Ministry official, at a news conference last week reflected the wariness with which cultural events are viewed by many here. For conservatives, book fairs, plays and movie screenings are a cause for concern because they allow for the mixing of the sexes, the playing of music and the introduction of books that they believe violate religious and moral values. Still, despite the regular interruption of cultural activities by men who sometimes claim to belong to the religious police, there has been a marked increase in such events in the past few years.." [more]

Low Construction Costs Push Saudi to Re-tender Projects [Mar 9]
"Saudi Arabia is planning to re-tender major oil projects to take advantage of cheaper construction costs and lower commodity prices following the global financial crisis, its main oil producer has said. Government-owned Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil producing company, said it would push ahead with mega projects in its hydrocarbon sector despite the global credit tightness and a sharp drop in crude prices. The company invited major local contractors this week to explain its investment strategy for the next five years and assure them that its financial position is strong enough to enable it to carry out planned ventures.  Quoted by Saudi newspapers, Saudi Aramco's Projects Management Director Majid Al Mukla told the contractors the company 'has the technical and financial capability to implement 144 ventures, including eight mega projects and 80 medium enterprises, in the next five years.' 'Saudi Aramco is considering more flexible and innovative strategies to lessen financial risks in managing these projects.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 8]~~~~~~~~~

Why Should Men Run Our Business [Mar 8]
"Saudi businesswomen are calling for changes to the laws related to establishing and managing businesses. In April 2004, a ministerial decision stated that Saudi women could set up businesses without a male guardian. Despite this, businesswomen today report that they are still being asked for a male guardian.. ..'The rule clearly states that a woman no longer needs a male guardian to start a business. Why isn’t it being implemented?'.. ..Al-Fassi told Arab News that this issue was 'painful' to businesswomen. 'A decision has been made and yet there are still failures to implement it,' she said. 'People responsible for carrying out the rules are still afraid. They have undermined the validity of the decision and its power. Some still think they are protecting society from the evil of a woman running and managing her own business.'.." [more]

Saudi Raids Break Up Drug Gangs [Mar 8]
"Saudi authorities say they have broken up four big drug smuggling operations and arrested 35 suspected drug dealers. Security forces seized more than 1,760kg of cannabis resin and more than 3m amphetamine tablets in raids across the country, officials said. The interior ministry said inquiries showed that one of the groups had been involved in financial transactions worth more than $100m (£71m). No details were given about when the raids took place. The interior ministry said those arrested included 13 Saudis and 22 foreigners, according to a statement carried by the SPA official news agency. One of the gangs, including seven Saudi nationals, had formed a network inside the kingdom to distribute the drugs, the statement said. Interior ministry spokesman Gen Mansour al-Turki told the AFP news agency that there were "large amounts [of drugs] coming from the southern border" with Yemen.." [more]

Manufacturing Saudi Arabia Leads in Manufacturing Sector Investments [Mar 8]
"Saudi Arabia has topped other Gulf states in terms of investments made in the manufacturing sector. The volume of investments made by the Kingdom in GCC factories amounted to $92 billion (Dh337.91 billion) out of a total of $150 billion until 2008, according to a report. The number of factories established in the Kingdom reached 4.437 with a total workforce exceeding 472,000. This information was contained in the latest report published by the Doha-based Gulf Industrial Investments Organization.. ..According to the latest figures, there are a total of 12,316 factories in the GCC states, with a volume of investments worth $150 billion. More than 982,000 people are working in these factories. Saudi Arabia tops other GCC states in terms of the number of factories and workers as well.." [more]

Saudi Tops Gulf Losers [Mar 8]
"Saudi Arabia was the biggest loser among Gulf markets yesterday, falling more than 2%, led lower by Al Rajhi Bank and Saudi Basic Industries Corp.. ..The market is not likely to see a recovery in March as domestic lending conditions tighten and “steadily depressed oil prices shake confidence levels in local markets,” Saudi’s National Commercial Bank Capital said in a report. Rashid Fowzan, a market analyst, said that the market is likely to break 4200 in the coming days as volumes thin out.." [more]

March 1-March 7, 2009

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 7]~~~~~~~~~

Cultural Events on the Rise in Saudi Arabia [Mar 7]
"When word spread that Brazil was going to be the guest of honor at the Riyadh International Book Fair, a Saudi official had to reassure the public that the Brazilians wouldn't be dancing the Samba at the 11-day event that opened recently. The question to Abdul Assize Al-Subeil, a senior Information Ministry official, at a news conference last week reflected the wariness with which cultural events are viewed by many here. For conservatives, book fairs, plays and movie screenings are a cause for concern because they allow for the mixing of the sexes, the playing of music and the introduction of books that they believe violate religious and moral values. Still, despite the regular interruption of cultural activities by men who sometimes claim to belong to the religious police, there has been a marked increase in such events in the past few years.." [more]

U.S. McDermott Gets Saudi Gas Field Contract [Mar 7]
"State oil giant Saudi Aramco said on Saturday it had awarded a contract for the Karan gas field to J.Ray McDermott, which is wholly-owned by U.S. engineering and construction firm McDermott International Inc (MDR.N). The turnkey contract provides for the manufacture and installation of four platforms and the construction of a 110-km-long (68 miles) undersea pipeline to carry the gas from the Karan field, Aramco said in a statement. It did not disclose the value of the contract.. ..The cost of the Karan project was reported to have fallen by at least 20 percent from previous estimates that pegged it as high as $5 billion.." [more]

Arabtec Signs Joint Venture With Saudi Partners [Mar 7]
"Arabtec construction, a subsidiary of Arabtec Holdings, has established a joint venture with two Saudi partners to establish Arabtec Saudi Arabia. The Saudi participants are CPC Services Company, a member of the Saudi bin Laden Group, and Prime International Group services. Arabtec will have a 45 per cent stake in the partnership, while CPC will hold 35 per cent and Prime 20 per cent. 'The aim of Arabtec Saudi Arabia is to play a key roll in the ongoing growth of the Saudi construction and infrastructure market,' said Riad Kamal, chief executive of Arabtec Holdings. He added that the company’s first project, which has already been secured by CPC, would be in Riyadh.." [more]

Saudis Get First Taste of Ethiopian Harvest [Mar 7]
"Saudi Arabia has announced the arrival of the first food crop harvested in Saudi-owned farms abroad, in a sign that the Kingdom is moving faster than expected to outsource agricultural production, reported the Financial Times Thursday.  Rice, harvested in Ethiopia by a group of Saudi investors, comes as other countries are still in the early stages of investing in overseas farms. Some analysts argue that foreign investment in agriculture, even if earmarked for export, could ultimately help poor countries, providing them with employment, infrastructure, access to agricultural technology and export tax revenues.  Riyadh has also provided the most detailed account to date of food-security plans known as the 'King Abdullah initiative for Saudi agricultural investment abroad'. In a note posted on its foreign affairs website, Riyadh has disclosed that it will 'provide credit facilities to Saudi investors in agriculture abroad', with the focus on 'countries with promising agricultural resources and having encouraging government.'.." [more]

New Envoy Vows to Take Japan Ties to New Heights [Mar 7]
"Abdul Aziz Turkistani, a man who studied in Japan for eight years to obtain his master’s and a doctorate in business administration and marketing, is now going back to that country as Saudi ambassador.. ..Japan is now the Kingdom’s largest trading partner with the two-way trade amounting to more than $42.2 billion in 2007. There are 28 Japanese projects in the Kingdom with a total investment of $11.8 billion by the end of 2007. Saudi Arabia supplies about 30 percent of Japan’s oil requirements.. ..Turkistani, who can speak English and Japanese fluently, was the first Saudi scholarship student to Japan. 'This is a challenging opportunity and I will do my best to further strengthen Saudi-Japanese relations in political, educational, cultural, commercial and economic fields,'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 6]~~~~~~~~~

Top US Intelligence Pick Under Fire for Saudi, China Ties [Mar 6]
"A veteran US diplomat and vocal Israel critic named to a top intelligence post faced a probe into his financial ties Thursday, as lawmakers raised concerns about links to China and Saudi Arabia. But US director of national intelligence Dennis Blair has served notice that he stands by Charles Freeman, a former ambassador to Riyadh and senior diplomat in Beijing, as his pick for chairman of the National Intelligence Council. Blair 'looks forward to Ambassador Freeman assuming his new role' once his vetting is complete,. ..Blair's decision to name Freeman to the job last week drew cries of alarm from a bipartisan group of lawmakers strongly supportive of Israel, who pounced on his role as president of the Saudi-funded Middle East Policy Council think tank and urged a formal probe into 'any potential conflicts of interest.' The group, led by Republican Representative Mark Kirk, urged the inspector general of Blair's office to look at Freeman's 'past and current relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.'.." [more]

In Baby Steps, Saudi Women Rise Up [Mar 6]
"It is not exactly Riyadh Spring, but Saudi Arabia's first female minister and the free mixing of the sexes at a recent conference are giving Saudi women hope that some of the world's tightest restrictions on their gender may be easing. In a country where strict Islamic doctrine demands segregation and prevents women from driving or working and travelling freely, a handful of changes in the past two months suggests an increase of freedoms for women, activists say. In a sweeping government shakeup last month, King Abdullah named Norah al-Fayez deputy education minister in charge of women's education, the first time a woman has been given a ministerial post in the country. Also last month, a princess called publicly for women to be able to drive their own cars. And at a regional conference on child abuse in a Riyadh hotel, with Abdullah's daughter Princess Adela presiding, there was virtually no barrier to prevent the more than 1,000 men and women present from mixing. 'That was a very very big step for the leaders,' said Fouziyah al-Ayoumi, who campaigns against violence against women in the eastern city of Dharan.." [more]

Sonic Foundry Gets $2 Million Saudi Contract [Mar 6]
"A $2 million contract to provide Mediasite equipment to a university campus under construction in Saudi Arabia is Sonic Foundry’s biggest deal for 2009, chief executive and chairman Rimas Buinevicius told the company’s annual shareholders meeting at Monona Terrace on Thursday. The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology will have 150 classrooms equipped with the Madison company’s technology to record lectures and make them available for playback later.." [more]

Preferential Rates [Mar 6]
"For Saudis, there's never been a better time to call home. The liberalisation of Saudi Arabia's telecoms sector is almost complete, and the increasing competi­tion among the mobile operators Saudi Telecom (STC)Saudi Telecom (STC), MobilyMobily, ZainZain and BravoBravoPublic Telecommunications Company has spurred more price cuts, better customer service and increased ad spend. The impending entry of AtheebAtheeb, the consortium that won the second landline licence, as well as the announcement of an IPO for data provider Integrated Telecom (ITC), should be good news for marketers at a time of decreasing ad spend from traditional sources such as financial services companies. The country's largest operator, , has been busy snapping up licences and share abroad. The firm's stakes in Malaysia's Maxis and Saudi OgerSaudi Oger have been complemented by new licences won in Kuwait and Bahrain. In total, STCSTCSaudi Telecom now has a direct or indirect presence in Asia (Malaysia, India and Indonesia), the Middle East (Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain), Africa (South Africa) and Europe (Turkey).." [more]

Plea to Saudi Authorities to Relax Passport Rules [Mar 6]
"Asking for relaxation in passport rules, a religious body has requested the Saudi authority to issue temporary passport to Hajj pilgrims. In a letter to the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind state unit president Peer Shabbir Ahmed has requested to issue 45 days temporary Hajj Passport to those pilgrims who is not holding regular passport. If a person goes to obtain a regular international passport in its routine time, it will take 2-3 months and by that time the draw of allotment of Hajj pilgrimage will be over and now there is only one month time to submit application for Haj yatra. There are many persons in the state who are not in possession of regular passports and they are willing to go for Hajj pilgrimage but their dreams will be shattered by the steps taken by the Saudi authorities.." [more]

Oil Price of $40 no Help to World Economy: OPEC [Mar 6]
"Prices of around 40 dollars a barrel will dampen oil-infrastructure investment and will not be a long-term benefit to the world economy, contrary to an assessment by the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil producers said Friday. 'The IEA has said that the world would get a trillion-dollar economic stimulus if oil prices stay at around 40 dollars a barrel through 2009,' OPEC chief Abdalla Salem El-Badri said in a statement.. ..Saudi Arabia, the leading producer in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, has estimated that a price of around 75 dollars would be 'fair.' Even the IEA, which represents oil consumers, had recognised that a lack of investment now by OPEC 'threatens a supply crunch around 2013, and a price surge,' El-Badri continued. 'We agree with the statement that a failure by the industry to invest will result in a supply crunch by 2013 and beyond.'.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 5]~~~~~~~~~

Iran: Saudi Arabia Not Identifying Real Challenge [Mar 5]
"Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki responded to Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal's call for Arab states to unite against the Iranian challenge saying, 'There is no place for such suggestions in the Arab and Islamic nation's conscience and thought.' Mottaki continued to say, 'Our friends are ignoring the reality in identifying challenges,' and proposed they 'avoid saying things that do not serve the goals of the Islamic and Arab countries'.." [more]

E-mail Threatens Saudis in Pakistan [Mar 5]
"The Saudi Arabian embassy in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, has received threats from Al-Qa’ida, the Saudi daily ‘Ukaz reported. The embassy received an e-mail, allegedly from Al-Qa’ida, threatening to target Saudi interests in Pakistan such as the embassy, its attaches, and Saudi airline facilities. The source and nature of the e-mail is being examined. Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan ‘Ali ‘Awa’d ‘Asiri said the embassy was addressing the threats with utmost gravity and asked local authorities to beef up security around Saudi interests in the country. The ambassador said there were no plans to evacuate Saudi nationals from Pakistan for the time being. However, he said there were contingency evacuation plans, should the need arise.." [more]

Rail Contract Signed [Mar 5]
"A SR6.79 billion ($1.8 billion) Haramain Express train contract was signed here Wednesday.. ..The contract, which covers ground and civil engineering works, is the first of several to be awarded for the 450 km high-speed rail linking Jeddah to Makkah and Madina. China Railway Construction subsidiary China Railway 18th Bureau Group and two Saudi firms, including Al Arrab Contracting Co, are part of the winning consortium, contractors said at a signing ceremony in Riyadh. The project aims to ease the congestion on the road linking the two cities and reduce the duration of the road trip, the transport ministry said in a document describing the railway. Saudi Arabia expects the number of worshippers traveling to Makkah and Madina to more than double to 14 million per year by 2030 from 5.5 million in 2005, the transport ministry said.." [more]

Stronger Saudi Image in Europe Stressed [Mar 5]
"Saudi Arabia needs to project a stronger image in Germany and in most European countries in order to gain better business opportunities and improved socio-cultural ties with the people of Europe, according to head of the German-Saudi Arabian Liaison Office for Economic Affairs (GESALO), the trade agency of Germany based in Riyadh. 'The Kingdom does not have a strong image in Germany and in many EU countries; not enough is known about Saudi Arabia,'.. ..'With its huge market and economic influence, Saudi Arabia is still unknown to most Germans and German companies – this is indeed not very encouraging,' he said. He said many German companies are looking more toward Asia and other Mideast countries, instead of Saudi Arabia, because of the 'still low image of the Kingdom in Germany and other European countries.'.." [more]

Saud Meets Syrian President [Mar 5]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad yesterday in the latest push to ease strained relations between the two Arab nations. Saud invited President Bashar to visit the Kingdom, reported the Syrian state-run news agency, SANA. The agency said the invitation was from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah. SANA also quoted Bashar as saying in the talks with Saud that 'Arabs should find a way to settle their disagreements cordially.'  Prince Saud met his Syrian counterpart Walid Al-Moualem this week at an Arab foreign ministers meeting in Egypt, that discussed Palestinian reconciliation and the regional influence of Iran.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 4]~~~~~~~~~

Tighter Security for Saudis [Mar 4]
"The Saudi Embassy in Islamabad on Tuesday received an e-mail threat purportedly from Al-Qaeda, threatening to target Saudi vital installations and interests in Pakistan, an embassy official said. The targets include the Saudi embassy, consulates and Saudi Arabian Airlines, said Ali Awaad Asiri , the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan. He said the embassy was taking the threat seriously and had informed the Pakistan authorities, which responded promptly by stepping up security at all major Saudi facilities in Pakistan. 'For the time being the embassy has no plans to evacuate the Saudis in Pakistan,' Assiri said. 'But if the need arises the embassy has a plan in hand to evacuate all the Saudi citizens and students in Pakistan.' There are about 1,250 Saudi residents in Pakistan, including students, military staffers receiving training and diplomatic staff.." [more]

New Saudi City of Poor and Women Planned [Mar 4]
"Saudi businesswoman Hi'sa Bint 'Abd A-Rahman Al-'Awn is promoting the establishment of a new city of 40,000 inhabitants that will focus on creating jobs for poor and unemployed women, the Saudi newspaper ArabNews reported. The new city will be located outside the city of Yanbu, north of Jeddah, on the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast. The local governor has donated 5,381,000 square feet of land for the construction of the city, which is estimated to cost $53 million. Al-'Awn hailed the project by calling it a strategic national project aimed at finding employment for the unemployed and helping them make economic progress, the paper reported. It would be the first attempt to provide employment for the mostly uneducated in Saudi Arabia and make use of their resources in a productive way. The project will include 35 environmentally friendly small and medium industries that suit the capabilities of productive families.." [more]

Syria President Assad Meets Saudi FM in Damascus [Mar 4]
"Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal in Damascus on Wednesday in another sign of a thaw in ties between the two Arab countries that had clashed over regional issues. The official Syrian news agency reported the meeting but gave no further details. Arab efforts to mend ties have been underway since. Prince Saud met his Syrian counterpart Walid al-Moualem this week at an Arab foreign ministers meeting in Egypt that discussed Palestinian reconciliation and the regional influence of Iran. Prince Saud told the Arab foreign ministers meeting that a common view was needed to deal with what he described as the Iranian challenge and Iranian interference in Arab affairs.." [more]

China Rail Cons Wins Part of $1.8 bln Saudi Deal [Mar 4]
"Saudi Arabia has awarded a 6.79 billion riyal ($1.8 billion) infrastructure contract to a consortium including a unit of China Railway Construction Corp for a railway to the kingdom's holy sites. The contract, which covers ground and civil engineering works, is the first of several to be awarded for the 450 kilometre (279.6 mile) high-speed rail linking the Red Sea port city of Jeddah to Mecca and Medina -- Islam's two holiest sites. China Railway Construction subsidiary China Railway 18th Bureau Group and two Saudi firms, including Al Arrab Contracting Co, are part of the winning consortium, contractors said at a signing ceremony in Saudi capital, Riyadh. The project aims to ease the congestion on the road linking the two cities and reduce the duration of the road trip, the transport ministry said in a document describing the railway.." [more]

Gulf States Warn Against ICC Move [Mar 4]
"The foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have warned against any move by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir. 'Such a move would undermine the peace process in the restive western Sudanese region of Darfur,' the ministers said in a communiqué at the end of their one-day meeting held in Riyadh on Sunday. The foreign ministers rejected the accusations levelled against Al Bashir by the court's Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo.. ..The GCC warning came amid reports that the ICC would announce its decision on whether to issue a warrant for Bashir's arrest today. According to Western media reports, ICC judges have already decided to issue the warrant on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur - allegations rejected outright by the Sudanese government.." [more]

Saudis Could Double Price of Natural Gas [Mar 4]
"Saudi Arabia, holder of the world's fourth-largest natural gas reserves, may double its price as the kingdom seeks to share the "healthy margins" made by gas processors, an official at Nexant Ltd. said. 'Nexant believes Saudi Arabia could double the gas price, and it could be timed to coincide with the LPG pricing revision due in 2011,' Sean Stevenson, senior consultant of gas-based chemicals at Nexant, said at the Middle East Fertiliser Symposium in Abu Dhabi yesterday. 'Other Gulf states would likely follow.' Saudi Arabia has kept its gas price at a fixed 75 cents (Dh2.75) per million British thermal units as it encourages gas-based industries to help diversify the country's economy from oil.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 3]~~~~~~~~~

For Saudi Liberals, a Ripple of Hope in a Sea of Tradition [Mar 3]
"Ever since King Abdullah announced a sweeping cabinet reshuffle two weeks ago, Saudi liberals have been in a rare holiday mood. Many have hailed the changes — including the replacement of some major conservative figures and the appointment of the first female deputy minister — as a 'mini-revolution' and proof that the king is at last willing to tame this country’s hard-line religious establishment. But there is a larger, more conservative constituency here, and its members tend to dismiss those liberal hopes as fantasies. 'These are merely dreams and wishes for things that will not happen,' said Sheik Sulayman al-Daweesh, a prominent conservative cleric who is a staunch defender of this country’s feared religious police. The reformers, he added, 'would like to weaken Saudi Arabia’s Islamic identity, and they will not succeed.' Who is right? It may be too early to say.." [more]

Saudi Urges Joint Arab Strategy on Iran [Mar 3]
"Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal called on Tuesday for a joint Arab strategy to deal with the 'Iranian challenge' at a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in the Egyptian capital. 'In order to cement Arab reconciliation we need a common vision for issues that concern Arab security and deal with the Iranian challenge,' including its nuclear drive.. ..Al-Faisal detailed the "challenge" as Iran's nuclear program, that effects the security of all the Gulf states, and Iran's continued involvement in Iraqi, Lebanese and Palestinian affairs. The Saudi prince urged Arabs to overcome their difference and said there has been a significant improvement in Arab ties recently, including Saudi-Syrian relations.." [more]

Kingdom Sets Terms for Gaza Reconstruction [Mar 3]
"Saudi Arabia, which emerged as the biggest single donor at the international Gaza reconstruction conference here Monday, laid down conditions on how the money would be spent, sought an international guarantee against Israeli destruction of the reconstruction envisaged, and made it clear that 'peace, stability and development are intertwined dimensions that cannot be achieved separately.' 'Reconstruction will not be feasible under insecurity and instability, and it is unacceptable and unreasonable to implement reconstruction if Israel then destroys it,' Prince Saud said in his speech to the presidents of Egypt and France, the UN chief, the US Secretary of State, and top diplomats from 45 nations. By the end of the day, international donors pledged a total of $5.2 billion to rebuild the Gaza Strip that was devastated by a 22-day bombardment launched last December by Israeli forces.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Decries Israeli Plan to Evict Palestinians [Mar 3]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday condemned the Israeli plan to evict 1,500 Palestinians from the Al-Bustan neighborhood of Jerusalem and urged the international community’s urgent intervention to stop human rights violations by the Jewish state. The Council of Ministers, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, said the continuing construction of Jewish settlements by Israel in the occupied territories represented a major obstacle to realizing peace in the Middle East. The Cabinet statement comes after the Jerusalem municipality served notices to the residents of Al-Bustan to vacate their homes within 72 hours. The municipality claimed the houses in the area were built without permits, ignoring the fact that most of them were constructed before 1967.." [more]

A Look at Saudi Arabia's New Information Minster Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja [Mar 3]
"The decision last month to appoint former Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja to the post of information minister was not a surprise to many. The former ambassador enjoys great popularity within literary and cultural quarters that perhaps equals his reputation in the world of diplomacy. He is a poet and an intellectual and occupied several posts at cultural institutions, despite him holding an academic degree in chemistry, his first field of specialty, to which he will resort in an effort to find a successful formula to achieve more openness to the outside world. This is in addition to his focus on local issues within an atmosphere of increased freedom, which the new minister has promised. In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat after his appointment as the new Saudi minister of culture and information, Dr Abdulaziz Khoja said that he is 'determined to open new vistas for the Saudi media that are more open to the world.' He made a pledge to journalists and media practitioners that he will continue to consider himself as their colleague and will never close his door or telephone in their face.." [more]

Scholar Issues Edict Calling for Prosecution of Prominent Saudis [Mar 3]
"A Saudi religious scholar has issued an edict calling for the prosecution of a royal tycoon and another Saudi businessman, accusing the men of being as dangerous as drug dealers because the television channels they own broadcast movies. The edict issued by Yousuf Al Ahmad, a government employee, is unusual in that it publicly chastises two such prominent Saudi figures by name - Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal and Waleed Al Ebrahim, a brother-in-law of the late King Fahd and owner of the Dubai-based MBC Group media conglomerate. It also comes about six months after the former head of Saudi Arabia's highest tribunal said it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite television stations that show content deemed immoral. He did not name anyone specific.. ..'It is a duty to bring him (Al Waleed) and people like him, such as Waleed Al Ebrahim, to justice,' he added. 'They are no less dangerous than drug dealers.'.." [more]

Saudi Girls to be Trained in Family Counseling [Mar 3]
"Plans are under way to train young Saudi girls to become specialists in counseling families against child abuse, said Princess Adela bint Abdullah, vice president of the National Family Safety Program (NFSP), while opening the scientific session of a three-day conference on child abuse here yesterday. The event — entitled 'Third Arab ISPCAN Regional Conference on Child Protection: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in the Arab Countries' — was inaugurated on Sunday by Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah before 1,500 delegates from across the Arab world. More than 60 local, regional and international speakers are presenting papers during the event whose theme is 'Working Together For a Safer Childhood.' 'These programs will be conducted in cooperation with international nongovernmental organizations that have experience in protecting children against abuse and violence,' the princess said.." [more]

Riyadh Fair Bans 100 Books [Mar 3]
"One hundred books have been banned from the Riyadh International Book Fair, according to the Ministry of Information and Culture. 'Some books were banned for religious and moral reasons, and some for not conforming to public taste,' said Yousef Al-Yousef, director of the ministry’s publications administration, Monday. 'Twenty-five people representing a range of specialties took part in the identification and removal of books. Some publishers also left out some publications at their own discretion,' Al-Yousef said. 'All the participants in the event recognize that the censorship ceiling is particularly high,' he added.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 2]~~~~~~~~~

US to Seek New Way Forward [Mar 2]
" A visiting US expert on Middle East and American foreign policy said that the new administration of President Barack Obama would have a new relationship with the Arab world that would eventually build a better rapport with the Muslim countries.  'During his maiden address as US president, Obama spoke out with an open mind expressing an interest to embrace all communities,' William B. Quandt, professor of politics at the University of Virginia, said at a round-table discussion held at the US Embassy here on Saturday. Quandt, who teaches courses on the Middle East and American Foreign Policy, has authored several books on the Middle East peace. He also wrote a book on Saudi Arabia in the 1980s.. ..'The US president is keen on maintaining good relations with the traditional partners of the US, such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt,' he added. He warned that Iran should not be allowed to interfere in the regional affairs. 'Iran is a dangerous and menacing country in the region and it sends mixed signals on various regional issues,'.." [more]

Saud on Mission to Push Arab Peace Plan [Mar 2]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has a busy schedule this week as Saudi Arabia steps up a diplomatic offensive to push forward the Arab peace initiative. Prince Saud is expected to meet with Hillary Clinton for the first time since she became US Secretary of State, on Monday during the international Gaza reconstruction conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Sources said their talks would deal with ways to step up Saudi-US strategic relations and efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of a viable two-state solution – Palestinian and Israel. Prince Saud is also expected to meet with George Mitchell, US envoy for the Middle East; Javier Solana, European foreign policy envoy; and several other participants from Arab, European and Western countries. Some 40 foreign ministers and 75 representatives from Arab and foreign countries are expected to participate in the conference. Prince Saud will attend a meeting that Clinton is scheduled to hold with the foreign ministers of GCC countries, Egypt and Jordan – the “6+2” meeting – and also a Quartet meeting aimed at activating the peace process.." [more]

Religious Police in Bid to Improve Image [Mar 2]
"As part of a damage control exercise, Saudi Arabia's Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has started implementing a raft of measures aimed at improving its track record as an effective body for enforcing religious regulations. These include carrying out a number of research studies with the objective of improving the behaviour and conduct of the commission members in their dealings with the public, and their performance in field work in a way safeguarding human rights.. ..It is noteworthy that the recently re-constituted Commission's move to improve its bad reputation coincided with the publishing of the US State Department's human rights report for 2008. According to the report, published last week, human rights situations in most of the countries in the Middle East are bad. The report criticises Saudi Arabia for restricting freedom of individuals on various counts: expression, holding meetings and performing religious rites besides non-transparency of the judicial system. The Kingdom was also blamed for rising cases of violence against women, discrimination and high-handedness on the part of the religious police.." [more]

Scholar Accuses Saudis of Showing Decadent TV [Mar 2]
"A Saudi religious scholar is accusing a royal tycoon and another Saudi businessman of being as dangerous as drug dealers because the TV channels they own broadcast movies. The edict calling for their prosecution is unusual because it publicly chastises two such prominent Saudi figures by name — Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, one of the world's richest people, and Waleed al-Ibrahim, a brother-in-law of the late King Fahd. The edict comes about six months after the former head of the kingdom's highest tribunal said it was permissible to kill the owners of satellite TV stations that show content deemed immoral. He did not name anyone. Youssef al-Ahmed, a professor in the Islamic law department at the ultraconservative al-Imam University, issued the edict Saturday in response to a question regarding Alwaleed's assertions last month that the kingdom will have movie theaters one day and that movies play a 'positive' social role in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

S Korea's Hyundai Wins 1.3-bln-dlr Order From Saudi [Mar 2]
"South Korea's Hyundai Engineering and Construction said Monday it has won a 1.3-billion-dollar order to build a gas processing plant in Saudi Arabia. Under the 2.05 trillion-won deal with Saudi Aramco, Hyundai Engineering said it would build the plant at Khursaniyah to process natural gas extracted from an offshore oilfield in the Gulf. 'Construction will begin this month,' a company spokesman told AFP, adding the plant would start processing about 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas a day in 2012. 'The high value-added project will help Hyundai bolster its competitive edge against Japanese and European firms,' the spokesman said. The company aims to win overseas orders totalling about 6.5 billion dollars from the Middle East and Southeast Asia this year.." [more]

Persian Gulf States Pledge $1.64 Billion for Gaza Reconstruction [Mar 2]
"Six Persian Gulf states have pledged $1.64 billion to help the Palestinians rebuild the Gaza Strip after the enclave was devastated by an Israeli assault at the start of the year, Arab media said on Monday. The decision was taken on Sunday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh at a foreign ministers' meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a trade block comprising Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman. 'The GCC countries are keen and committed to standing by the Palestinian people in their efforts to reconstruct Gaza,' the U.A.E's Gulf News cited a joint statement as saying. A special inter-Arab committee was set up to implement the program. The committee will have an office in Gaza to coordinate the financial operations, reconstruction work and deliveries of construction materials. The program is open to all Arab League members.." [more]

Saudi Foreign Assets Dip by SR28bn in January [Mar 2]
"Saudi Arabia's foreign assets dipped by more than SR28 billion (Dh27.7bn) in January to maintain their fall for the second successive month after several years of a steady growth, official figures showed yesterday. Although the world's oil superpower recorded its largest ever budget surplus in 2008, the foreign assets of its central bank plunged back to their September level apparently because the government focuses on slashing debt and maintaining high expenditure in 2009 to offset an economic downturn.. ..A breakdown for the previous months showed the assets recorded their second major decline in more than two years after a steady and rapid increase in the past months because of a surge in oil prices. Sama gave no reason for the decline but crude prices lost nearly $100 in the last quarter of 2008 after peaking at $147 in late July. In January, prices averaged only around $40, below a third of their July level.." [more]

Riyadh Book Fair Opens Tomorrow, Women Allowed [Mar 2]
"The annual Riyadh International Book Fair opens Tuesday at the new exhibition center on King Abdullah Highway with a selection of a quarter of a million tomes in various languages from 27 countries, supplied by 650 Arab and foreign publishing houses. The fair will include, for the first time, a section of second-hand books, and the design and layout includes facilities to allow easy access for disabled people. Abdul Aziz Al-Subeil, Deputy Minister for Cultural Affairs, commented on last year’s controversy over females working at the exhibition, saying: 'This year women will be permitted to work at the international exhibition.' Exhibition organizers have also been coordinating closely with the Hai’a to make sure events run smoothly, he said.." [more]

~~~~~~~~ [ Mar 1]~~~~~~~~~

Saudi Cuts Drilling Activity [Mar 1]
"Drilling activity in Saudi Arabia may drop by as much as 20 per cent this year, as the world’s biggest oil exporter slows major oilfield development following a surge of activity in the past three years.. ..'It’s no surprise that the Saudis had a huge surge in drilling activity that is now falling off,' said Raja Kiwin, a Dubai-based analyst with PFC Energy. 'The Saudis will be completing a capacity expansion to 12.5 million barrels per day this year.' The latest available industry data show Saudi rig activity down 5 per cent in January from a year earlier, including a 10 per cent drop in onshore drilling, which accounts for about 80 per cent of all oil and gas drilling in the kingdom. Overall, 97 rigs were active in January, down from 102 in Jan 2008, according to the international oilfield services companies that compiled the data.." [more]

Saudi Banks Post 17.3% Rise in Profits [Mar 1]
"Banks in Saudi Arabia have posted a 17.3 percent increase on net profit in the last quarter of last year, bucking the international banking trend for losses, it was reported Saturday. A report from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) said the country’s commercial banks overall profit increase was worth SR4.4bn – up from SR25.5bn in Q4 2007 to SR29.9bn in Q4 2008 - despite the global economic crisis. However, the report said the banks witnessed a 1.1 percent drop in annual average growth rate, according to a report.." [more]

Conjoined Twins Separated, Recovering After Long Surgery [Mar 1]
"Conjoined Egyptian twin boys Hassan and Mahmoud, who were successfully separated in Saudi Arabia Saturday, are recovering and are expected to lead normal lives, officials said.. ..The boys are less than a year old and were brought to the kingdom on February 10. The delicate surgery took a little more than 15 hours.. ..The procedure was the 21st of its kind to be performed in the kingdom. The surgeries are performed free as part of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz's philanthropic initiative.." [more]

Saudi Women Take Up Jobs as Security Guards [Mar 1]
" In the absence of employment opportunities commensurate with their qualifications and setting aside the social stigma attached to certain jobs for females, several educationally qualified women have taken jobs as security guards at prominent malls and establishments. The plight of these women indicates the pathetic state of affairs of the Kingdom’s education system which is churning out thousands of graduates every year, with, oddly enough, the majority of them not capable of meeting the requirements of the labor market in the country. The lack of enough job opportunities compatible with their qualifications and status has compelled these women security guards to defy the so-called social marginalization and stigma against accepting low-paid jobs in order to meet their daily requirements.." [more]

Businesses Brace for a Further Slowdown [Mar 1]
"Saudi Arabia’s economy is not isolated from the global economic recession and neither are businesses in the Kingdom. The expected downturn in the economy is clearly reflected in our Q1 survey, revealing that business confidence in Saudi Arabia is weakening further. Against the backdrop of precipitously worsening global economic data, it would appear hard not to expect Saudi businesses to anticipate worsening conditions. Some 42 percent of businesses expect growth in their organization, compared to 54 percent in our previous survey. The survey took place after the announcement of the budget in late December 2008 which should have provided a cushion of hope.." [more]

Housemaids to be Got From Vietnam, Nepal [Mar 1]
"Saudi Arabia is looking at recruiting domestic help from Nepal, Vietnam, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco in view of disagreements with traditional labor-export countries like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. The move follows successful recruitment deals with new labor-supply countries like Ethiopia which has started to send domestic help, said Saad Al-Batah, deputy chairman of the National Committee for Recruitment at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry.. ..Recently, an agreement was signed between the National Committee for Recruitment and the Indonesian Labor Union but Al-Batah said merely organizes the business mechanisms between the Saudi and Indonesian recruitment offices and 'has nothing to do with workers and employees.' He said the unified contract is a separate deal which is still locked in dispute over some clauses in it.." [more]

Saudi Medicos Win Plaudits at Cairo Congress [Mar 1]
"A group of final-year medical students from King Saud University in Riyadh came in second in research at the 17th International Medical Students Congress at Ain Shams University in Cairo. Students from 33 countries, including the US, Europe, Asia and Africa, participated in the event. The research was conducted by Abdul Aziz Nizar Madani, Faris Abdul Rahman Al-Daghri, Tariq Mudhaiyan Al-Mudhaiyan, Saeed Abdullah Dolgum and Faisal Abdul Minem Al-Alem. It focused on carpal tunnel syndrome among computer users in Saudi Arabia and Al-Mudhaiyan presented it at the conference. 'The study was conducted on a group of people in Riyadh, especially those who use computers for several hours on a daily basis,' Madani told Arab News.." [more]

Govt Shuffle Gives Reasons For Hope [Mar 1]
"The latest Cabinet reshuffle must have involved months of critical planning, and it indicates a determination to confront the challenges that have slowed the Kingdom’s progress and development. Saudis feel very optimistic with the newly appointed ministers and government officials who have shown obvious leadership skills in their previous positions. Many feel a sense of relief to finally see appointed officials who possess a progressive mindset and a capacity to recognize the obstacles standing in the way of a better future. These leaders are now entrusted with the task of shaping the minds of many who are clinging to old customs and traditions unrelated to our Islamic beliefs and who remain reluctant to change and modernize, preventing the society from implementing speedy and successful reforms.." [more]

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