Saudi-US Relations Information Service

"King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz quietly ascended the throne in August after the death of his long ailing brother. Though his rise was expected and captured little media attention, he just may be one of the most important and little-known world leaders today. Here's why: Saudi Arabia remains the central bank of oil. Its role as a moderating price influence on OPEC in an environment of price volatility is more important than ever. As home to Islam's two holiest mosques and a financier of Muslim causes around the world, Saudi Arabia also matters deeply to the future of a turbulent Muslim world..."

"..This week Prince Turki returned to American television, this time on Public Broadcasting's Charlie Rose interview show. It was just one of a number of recent public appearances that permitted him to, as he put it, 'try to explain what Saudi Arabia is, where it comes from and where it is going.'"


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Minister of Transport Dr Jubarah bin Eid Al-Suraiseri announced [Feb. 15] that the Kingdom plans to build a new port for exporting minerals at Ras Al-Zour. There are currently three seaports in the Eastern Province. The minister also announced plans to expand the King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam and the King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail.

Daily Press Briefing - US State Department
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 10, 2006

QUESTION: I was at a Carnegie forum last week and there were some speakers who were over there during the elections and one of the speakers made the statement that it seems that the trend, in fact, in the Middle East is not toward democracies like the U.S. is promoting, but is in fact Islamism is on the rise, as reflected in the Hamas victory as well as the Shia conservative majority in Iraq. And he said if free and fair elections, truly free and fair elections were held, Muslim Brotherhood-type governments would come to power in Egypt, Jordan, and so forth. I just would like you to rebut that.

MR. MCCORMACK: I have talked about this many times from the podium here. I think a lot of your colleagues have heard this many times before. You've heard it from the Secretary as well. But I'm happy to review it with you again. We are in the process -- what we are in the midst of is a deep historical change throughout the Middle East. You had 60 years of a freedom deficit in the Middle East where individuals had two choices: One, they could choose to live within the confines of autocratic political systems or they could seek outlets elsewhere through much more radical political groups, oftentimes with terrorists ties.

What President Bush did in his second inaugural is very firmly and clearly stake out a core principle of American foreign policy. And at the core of American foreign policy is the Freedom Agenda, is the advancement of democracy, freedom throughout the Middle East as well as around the world and part of that is elections. But you're going to find different countries at different stages across the Middle East. For example, in Saudi Arabia, you have had municipal elections. In Egypt, you have had now multiparty presidential elections, so just to use two examples. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are at two different stages in the democratic process.

In Kuwait, women will now have the right to vote. It's an important change. You have seen in Lebanon that Syria, as a result of international pressure, has exited Lebanon -- at least their ground forces have -- and the Lebanese people have chosen new leadership through free and fair elections.

So there is a lot of positive change throughout the region. The Palestinian people had free and fair elections, electing a new parliament. And President Bush has made very clear that it is not up to the United States to define how those elections turn out or who the people of the region choose to lead them. That is up to them. We will continue to work to address the freedom agenda, to expand personal freedoms for individuals in the region. We'll continue to work with those governments who are committed to opening up the political process, the political space for their citizens. We believe that that is -- that's important. We believe that our future security and the democracy agenda are inextricably linked; they are mutually reinforcing.

So while the democratic process, the opening of this democratic space in individual countries and through the Middle East writ large, is sometimes going to be bumpy, it will ultimately produce results that are not only in the interests of the people of the region in realizing a better, more free, more prosperous life, but it will also be in the interests of the United States and the rest of the world in producing a more stable, secure Middle East.

Tadawul Dives After Crossing 20,000 [Feb 18]
"The Saudi stock market continued its upward trend for most of the week backed by speculative trading, but prices nose-dived on Thursday on profit-taking when the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) hit an all-time intra day trade high of 20,079.8 points. The weekly market turnover jumped to SR244 billion compared to SR212.36 billion in the previous week.." [more]

Will the Saudi Stock Market Boom Continue [Feb 17]
"Saudi Arabia's stock market has continued its extraordinary climb into 2006. The Tadawul All-Share Index already at 19,540 in mid-February has just topped the 20,000 mark almost 17 per cent up on the start of the year. But what are the forces behind this remarkable rise? And can it be sustained?.." [more]

Some Women Say Deliberations Lacked Substance at JEF [Feb 17]
"This week’s Jeddah Economic Forum was well attended, though some of the women were disappointed by what they called insubstantial, even condescending, speeches in the forums that addressed issues about women in the workplace. As usual, the sessions with women speakers, especially Saudi women, received the largest attendance and the widest variety of responses.." [more]

5-Point OIC Action Plan to Diffuse Cartoon Row [Feb 17]
"The Permanent Representatives of the OIC Member States unanimously approved the five points presented by OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana as a way to diffuse the row over blasphemous cartoons and prevent the recurrence of similar crises in the future.." [more]

Saudi Shipbuilding Comes of Age [Feb 17]
"Government officials and business leaders have witnessed the coming of age of the Kingdom s shipbuilding industry with the launching and commissioning Tuesday at the King Abdul Aziz Seaport in Dammam of four vessels built by a Saudi shipbuilding company.. ..The four ships bring to nine the total of boats so far built by Zomco, a leading O&M company engaged in wide range of services. The Zamil Shipyard is the first Saudi shipbuilding complex in the Kingdom.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Exports Set to Rise [Feb 16]
"Saudi exports are inclined to rise during 2008 to nearly US$ 198 billion compared to US$ 170.5 billion in 2005, a Saudi economic official was quoted as saying on Thursday.. ..non-oil Saudi exports are projected to rise from US$ 15.46 billion in 2004 to US$ 24.26 billion in 2008.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: No Inflationary Pressure [Feb 16]
"Saudi finance minister stated Wednesday he saw no inflationary pressure building in the Kingdom despite rapid economic growth and government spending of record oil revenues. Last year, the Saudi economy recorded a 6.5 percent growth and SR214 billion ($57 billion) budget surplus. Despite this economic boom the cost of living index advanced by only 0.4 percent.." [more]

Saudi Firms to Invest in SR1bn Fiber Optic Network [Feb 16]
" Individuals and companies in Saudi Arabia are about to witness a new phase in information capacity expansion and data
transmission after the announcement yesterday of three Saudi telecom companies that they were marshaling their technical expertise in order to build, deploy and operate the Kingdom's largest fiber optic network with a total value of SR1 billion ($266 million).." [more]

Saudi Youths in Japan for Camaraderie [Feb 16]
"In a renewed move to promote friendship and understanding between Saudi Arabia and Japan, a team of nine young Saudis left for Tokyo yesterday. They will visit Hiroshima and Hakone and meet with officials, academics and Japanese youths.. ..A Japanese delegation will visit Saudi Arabia in March this year. The visits follow celebrations last year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment diplomatic ties between the Kingdom and Japan.." [more]

Saudi Ambassador Urges Cooperation [Feb 16]
"Prince Turki Al-Faisal, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States, called for global cooperation in the fight against al Qaeda and other terrorist groups during a speech last night at the Kennedy School of Government. Al-Faisal encouraged a deepening of U.S.-Saudi relations and further collaboration against terrorism, affirming his kingdom’s stance against al Qaeda.." [more]

Janadriya a Landmark Festival [Feb 16]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday inaugurated the 21st Janadriya Festival, which began with an impressive camel race attended by 600 contestants from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries.. ..Prince Miteb said the festival, which started in 1985, was the brainchild of King Abdullah. 'He initiated the national heritage and cultural festival'.." [more]

Bring Your Money, Says Britain [Feb 16]
"Saudi companies have been invited to list in the London Stock Market to generate funds for the various development programs in the Kingdom. We encourage Saudi citizens to list their companies at the London Stock Market to raise funds needed for the various projects, said Alderman David Brewer, Lord Mayor of London, as he addressed a meeting with officials and members of the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EPCCI).." [more]

Speculations Push Saudi Index to Record High [Feb 16]
"Saudi stocks continued to surge and hit a record high yesterday. Thanks to market speculations, the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) is approaching the 20,000 mark like a streak of lightning as it closed yesterday at an all-time high of 19,853.94, up 155.33 points.." [more]

New Port Planned in EP [Feb 16]
"government will soon establish a new port in Ras Al-Zour for exporting minerals, Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry announced yesterday. This will increase the total number of seaports in the Eastern Province to four.." [more]

Boycotts of Danish Products Costing Companies Millions [Feb 16]
"Consumer boycotts of Danish goods in Muslim countries in protest of the publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed are costing Denmark’s companies millions, and have raised fears of irreparable damage to trade ties.. ..The boycotts began in Saudi Arabia on January 26 when supermarkets either put up signs saying to stop buying Danish goods or removed products from shelves.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: From Banking To Racing [Feb 15]
"Nahed Taher is raising a $10 billion private equity fund for the Gulf One Investment Bank she organized and heads. That's the easy part. The hard part was getting there. Taher, whose flowing blonde mane spills over a black, full-length abaya, is the first woman to head a major Saudi Arabian bank, or indeed any bank in the Persian Gulf region.." [more]

Focus on Challenges Facing Saudi Arabia in Attracting FDI [Feb 15]
"Now that Saudi Arabia has joined the World Trade Organization, opened its economy to the global market and is seeking foreign investment, what are some of the challenges it faces? That was the question asked during the session on attracting foreign direct investment at the Jeddah Economic Forum.." [more]

Western Firms in Mideast Wary Over Cartoon Row [Feb 15]
"Western firms in the Middle East said on Wednesday they were wary of attacks or protests relating to worldwide uproar over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad, but saw no immediate danger.. ..Security is already tight in Gulf Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, where al Qaeda sympathisers have targeted Western residential compounds and energy targets in a campaign launched in 2003 to bring down the U.S.-allied Saudi monarchy.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Fixed Lines Growth Stalls as the GSM Market Booms [Feb 15]
"Propelled to new heights by competition, GSM lines in Saudi Arabia grew at a high 44.8% rate in the first eleven months of 2005 to reach 13.3 million.. ..Fixed line, however, grew at a meager 2.5% in the first nine months of 2005. A new comprehensive report from the Arab Advisors Group offers deep insights into Saudi Arabia, the Arab World's largest telecommunications market by revenues.." [more]

US Plan to Cut Oil Addiction No Threat to Saudi, Says IEA [Feb 15]
"Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, shouldn’t worry that US President George W Bush will make good on his vow to end the US’s oil addiction, International Energy Agency executive director Claude Mandil said. ‘We will still need a lot of oil and oil products even if we put in place strong policies to curb oil addictions'.." [more]

OPEC Lowers '06 Outlook on Oil Demand [Feb 15]
"OPEC trimmed its forecast for 2006 oil demand growth Wednesday and said uncertainties over consumption in Asia and North America may trigger more cuts as months of near-record prices make themselves felt. OPEC, supplier of more than a third of the world's oil, said in its monthly report it expects global demand to increase 1.57 million barrels per day (bpd) to 84.64 million. That compares with a projected 1.62 million bpd increase in OPEC's January report.." [more]

Rice to Visit Egypt and Saudi Arabia [Feb 15]
"US Secretrary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel next week to Egypt and Saudi Arabia for talks with Washington's two top Middle East allies, US officials said Wednesday. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rice announced she would visit the Gulf next week for discussions focusing on concern over Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program.." [more]

Q & A with the UN's Thoraya Obaid [Feb 15]
"Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund the first Saudi Arabian to head a United Nations agency Takes a break at the Jeddah Economic Forum to speak with Asharq Al-Awsat about the Major challenges facing the Saudi Economy today.. ..One of the most important problems of which the Saudi economy suffers is the lack of diversity of qualifications or skills that Saudi woman could acquire.." [more]

Dutch Envoy Explores Investment Opportunities - KSA [Feb 15]
"The Dutch ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Nicolaas Beets, met Saudi officials and businessmen and explored opportunities for bilateral investments in areas in which the Netherlands traditionally holds strong expertise, such as infrastructure, construction, dredging, water management and agriculture.." [more]

Women’s College Starts Engineering Program [Feb 15]
"Engineering and entrepreneurship was the focus of a lecture presented at Effat College by Kristina Johnson, the dean of the Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University.. ..The first lecture on engineering at Effat concurred with the launching of the electrical and computer-engineering program for female undergraduates, which started at the college this semester.." [more]

Saudi Interior Ministry Issues Statement for Saudis Seeking US Visas [Feb 14]
"The Ministry of Interior has issued a statement for Saudis seeking entry visas to the United States. In the statement, the Ministry urges visa applicants to familiarize themselves with US immigration rules in order to prevent a delay in obtaining student visas, and warns that failure to obey immigration rules may lead to a delay in admission, denial of visa or possible deportation from the US.." [more]

Saudi Bloggers Attack Saudi Over Cartoon Row [Feb 14]
"In the anonymous world of the Internet, Saudi bloggers are attacking the government for its perceived role in stirring up Muslims around the world over cartoons satirising the Prophet Mohammad. Offering opinions mainly in English that no one would dare express in the state-controlled Saudi media, they accuse the U.S.-allied authorities of exploiting the cartoons months after they were first published and ignoring Islamic causes.." [more]

Iranian Envoy in Saudi Arabia [Feb 14]
"Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab- African Affairs Mohammad-Reza Baqeri arrived in the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, Tuesday morning. Baqeri was greeted upon his arrival at Riyadh airport by Saudi Arabia's Deputy Foreign Minister Nazar Madani and a number of Iranian embassy staff. The Iranian envoy is here to hold talks with Saudi Arabian King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz later today.." [more]

Gore's Remarks in Saudi Arabia Draw Strong Criticism [Feb 14]
"A speech in which former Vice President Al Gore told a mostly Saudi audience that the U.S. had committed "terrible abuses" against Arabs after 9/11 continues to make waves, with critics calling the remarks disloyal and 'inappropriate during a time of war.' Some also challenged Gore's reported assertion that "thoughtless" U.S. visa policies towards Arabs were playing into al Qaeda's hands.." [more]

Saudi Ambassador Comments on Bombings [Feb 14]
"..Prince Turki al-Faisal, speaking before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.. ..said that for all the shock in the Western world about the suicide attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and in Iraq, most Muslims were even more surprised. The attacks were the result of a cultlike attitude fomented by al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden that ran counter to the central tenets of Islam.." [more]

Saudi to Double Oil Refining Capacity in Five Years [Feb 14]
"Saudi Arabia plans to double its oil refining capacity to six million barrels per day (bpd) within five years, Oil Minister Ali al-Nuaimi said Tuesday. The OPEC kingpin's 'main goal is the stability of world oil markets. It is currently working on huge oil projects, including raising crude oil production capacity and doubling the capacity of oil refineries to six million bpd within the next five years'.." [more]

Saudi Advisory Body Snubs Proposal to Lift Women's Driving Ban [Feb 14]
"A member of Saudi Arabia's consultative council said on Monday that he was hopeful that the government would step in to lift the ban on women driving after the appointed advisory body refused to debate his proposal to end the ban. The hope is that the leadership of the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom will look into the matter "because the state is best placed to settle this issue, which is in the interest of society", Mohammed Al Zalfa said.." [more]

Siniora Meets Saudi King in Riyadh [Feb 14]
"Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora held talks with Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz and other Saudi officials in Riyadh on Monday to discuss Arab initiatives to help mend Lebanon's tense relations with Syria and encourage the country's stagnant national dialogue.. ..Asked if Siniora requested Saudi mediation regarding Lebanese-Syrian relations, Faisal said: 'We began discussing the issue, but the prime minister will continue his discussion in more detail with King Abdullah'.." [more]

Saudis Urged to Explore African Investment Potential [Feb 14]
"African leaders yesterday urged Saudi investors to study the vast potential that exists in their continent. The scope is vast and investors can reap a rich harvest, African speakers said addressing a plenary session on 'The challenge of Africa,' on the concluding day of the three-day 7th Jeddah Economic Forum.." [more]

Attracting Direct Foreign Investment [Feb 14]
"Saudi Arabia is at an interesting fiscal juncture, after joining the WTO last year, particularly in terms of attracting foreign direct investment, said representatives from the US and Singapore at the Jeddah Economic Forum s concluding day. Attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Kingdom has greatly increased over the last year since the Kingdom entered the WTO.. ..The results for Saudi Arabia look positive.." [more]

Gore says U.S. Discrimination Against Arabs After Sept. 11 was Wrong [Feb 13]
"Former U.S. vice-president Al Gore told an audience Sunday that the U.S. government committed 'terrible abuses' against Arabs after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and that most Americans did not support such treatment. Gore said Arabs had been 'indiscriminately rounded up' and held in 'unforgivable' conditions. He said the administration of President George W. Bush was playing into al-Qaida's hands by routinely blocking Saudi visa applications.." [more]

Saudi Arabia May Establish Two More Economic Cities [Feb 13]
"A feasibility study is being carried out on establishing two more economic cities - one in Jeddah and the other in the Eastern Province. These cities would be similar to King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, according to Muhammad Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.." [more]

Grassroots US-Saudi Efforts to Heal 9/11 Wounds [Feb 13]
"Some Saudis and Americans are taking modest steps to ease the divide left by September 11 terror attacks.. ..Dressed in traditional female Saudi robes with her platinum blond hair tucked under a black veil, the daughter of one of the victims said she wants her fellow Americans to stop blaming Saudi Arabia for the 2001 attacks on New York and Washington that killed almost 3,000 people.." [more]

SRMG Posts Biggest Profit in History [Feb 13]
"The Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) posted a net profit of SR181.4 million ($48.3 million) in 2005, it was announced on Saturday. The amount was 290 percent more than the profit of SR46.5 million ($12.4 million) in 2004. 'Last year’s performance was the best in the company’s history as its sales rose by 12 percent or SR113.6 million ($30.29 million) to SR1.063 billion ($283.46 million)'.." [more]

Saudization Targets May Go Down in Some Sectors [Feb 13]
"The Labor Ministry is weighing prospects of reducing the Saudization rate for some sectors as they were unable to meet their targets due to lack of talented Saudi workers required for their projects.. ..Commercial and industrial firms have been asked to Saudize at least 30 percent of their jobs while contractors and operation and maintenance firms should have 10 percent Saudization.." [more]

Women’s Rights Is a Key to Solving Social Problems [Feb 13]
"The first session of day two of the Seventh Jeddah Economic Forum began with a focus on women. Cherie Booth, or as she is more commonly known as Cherie Blair, a lawyer and Queen Council, spoke about human rights and women development. 'Women’s rights is a key to solving social problems,' emphasized Booth.. ..Poverty has a woman’s face, as has been said before. Booth explains that this is due to women’s lack of access, resources and opportunities.." [more]

Shoura Rejects Women Driving Draft [Feb 13]
"The Shoura Council Sunday rejected a draft that would have granted women the right to drive through the provisions of an amended traffic law on a technicality. The rejection is based on jurisdictional grounds, whereby issues that have had a religious edict or ruling issued on them through the Board of Senior Ulema, Supreme Judicial Council or by the Grand Mufti cannot be reviewed by the Shoura Council, unless a review is called for by the King.." [more]

Moussa Lauds Need for Reforms, Tolerance [Feb 13]
"Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League, confessed yesterday at the Jeddah Economic Forum that he is frustrated — frustrated at Arab policies, frustrated over the cultural conflicts of the day.. ..He said that living in the time of globalization means that the world belongs to all humans and they must live together in tolerance and respect. He explained that distinguishing between one culture and the other is normal, but distinguishing is one thing and feeling superior is another.." [more]

Saudi Companies Compete for Marketing Awards [Feb 13]
"A few top Saudi companies have been shortlisted for the region s most prestigious marketing awards. Saudi Telecom, National Commercial Bank (NCB), Roche Saudi Arabia, Budget-Rent-Car Saudi Arabia and Aujan Industries are all among the finalists in the 2006 GMR Effectiveness in Marketing Awards (GEMAS). The eagerly awaited GEMAS shortlist, demonstrates the Kingdom s rapidly evolving sophistication in all aspects of marketing.." [more]

Saudi Economy and Culture Can Withstand WTO Challenges [Feb 13]
" The fears of many Saudis who see the Kingdom’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a threat to the country’s conservative culture and developing economy, were calmed by the four key speakers in yesterday’s session, “Saudi Arabia Beyond the WTO”, at the 7th Jeddah Economic Forum.." [more]

Saudi Seeks Apology for Insulting Cartoons [Feb 12]
"Saudi Arabia said Sunday there must be a clear apology to Muslims for publishing cartoons deemed insulting to Prophet Mohammad and Islam. A foreign ministry statement called on the international media to stop publishing 'anything harmful about religious beliefs and to clearly apologize to Muslims for insulting them.' The Saudi call came amid growing protests, including violent ones, in the Arab and Muslim world against a Denmark and a Danish newspaper that published 12 cartoons depicting of the founder of Islam as a terrorist.." [more]

Siemens Seeking More Saudi Contracts [Feb 12]
"German engineering firm Siemens said it was seeking more Saudi contracts after winning a $2.14-billion desalination and power plant contract in December. 'We have a very big power project now to execute but other projects are coming and Siemens is very well experienced in transportation for example in railway systems,' Heinrich Von Pierer, chairman of the firm's supervisory board, said.." [more]

Be Patient, Cherie Blair Tells Saudi Women [Feb 12]
"Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, urged Saudi women today to be patient in seeking their rights in the ultra-conservative Kingdom, saying societies do not change overnight. 'Women must combine the desire for progress with a degree of patience. Society will not be transformed overnight,' she told participants at the annual Jeddah economic forum in the Saudi Red Sea city.." [more]

Chevron Chief: Bush Misunderstands Oil Market [Feb 12]
"US President George Bush’s desire to cut US dependence on Mideast oil shows a “misunderstanding” of global energy supply and the critical role of Saudi Arabia, the vice chairman of Chevron Corporation said today. Peter Robertson said the US would be better off working for “interdependence” with oil producing countries rather than seeking to cut dependence.." [more]

Saudi Dedicated to Walking Middle, Conciliatory Path [Feb 12]
"The three-day 7th Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), which is getting to be a heavyweight in the global arena, opened here yesterday presenting a bold and bright vision of Saudi Arabia by 2020. In his keynote address, Minister of Culture and Information Iyad Madani.. ..said the kingdom was dedicated to making positive contributions to the global economy, peace, prosperity, culture and civilisation, walking a middle and conciliatory path.." [more]

EU's Solana Heads to Saudi to Try to Calm Cartoon Row [Feb 12]
"The European Union's foreign policy chief hopes to turn the tide in a furore over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad during a Middle East visit this week that starts in the birthplace of Islam, Saudi Arabia.. ..Javier Solana kicks off the trip, which includes Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Israel, with talks on Monday with the head of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which groups 57 Muslim countries. He later meets King Abdullah in Riyadh.." [more]

Women Empowerment Is an Economic Must [Feb 12]
"Women empowerment is a must if Arab countries are to reach substantial growth. That what the key speakers emphasized yesterday at a session at the 7th Jeddah Economic Forum. Thuraya Arrayed, planning adviser for Saudi Aramco said.. ..To overcome the problem that families will face in the near future, women must work to increase the family income. The cultural perception dominant is that women do not to work after completing their education. That has to change." [more]

SRMG Posts SR181.4m Profit, Increases Capital to SR800m [Feb 12]
"The Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) posted a net profit of SR181.4 million in 2005, it was announced yesterday. The amount was 290 percent more than the profit (SR46.5 million) in 2004.. ..Meanwhile, the group's board of directors, which met here last Wednesday, decided to increase the company's capital in two phases from SR600 million to SR800 million by transferring from 2005 reserves and profits.." [more]

GOTEVOT Gets Women Deputies [Feb 12]
"In a significant move to promote technical education among young Saudi women, authorities have decided to appoint two women assistant deputies at the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training (GOTEVOT).. ..The new move comes as part of the government’s efforts to empower women and create more jobs for them in both public and private sectors.." [more]

Arabs Must Tell Their Side, Say Media Representatives [Feb 12]
"Foreign media experts urged yesterday at the Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF), the importance of having stronger Arab media participation in the West in order to eliminate culture misunderstandings.. ..Lawrence Wright, staff writer at The New Yorker magazine.. ..said there is a need for a culture dialogue between the West and the Middle East. Wright stressed the importance of objective writing in the two cultures. Wright said that the Arab world, especially Saudi Arabia, has no movie industry to help exposing its culture. There is also a lack of novelists writing about Arab issues in the West.." [more]

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