Saudi-US Relations Information Service

"..The 2006 budget projects spending of SR 335 billion ($89.3 billion). This represents an increase of 20 percent over the 2005 budget, laying the groundwork for strong fiscal stimulus to the economy in 2006. The growth in the 2006 budget follows a year of similar budgetary growth in 2005. Infrastructure spending is a focus of the 2006 budget. The budget earmarks SR 126 billion for capital projects. The statement from the Ministry of Finance refers to the budget's "special emphasis on capital expenditures that will enhance economic growth and job creation.." [more]

"..Urgently trying to improve relations with the United States, the Saudi Arabian government has been promoting a scholarship program that has more than doubled the number of Saudi enrollments at American colleges and universities since last year. The program, aimed in part at reducing widespread hostility in the Saudi public toward the United States, has reversed a steady plunge in Saudi students here that started immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Saudi government offered 5,000 students full four-year scholarships, complete with living allowances. About two-thirds of the 5,000 students enrolled in American schools this fall, the State Department said, and the number would have been higher had the United States been able to process all the visa requests.." [more]

"King Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz will be able to fully establish his rule under generally benign economic and security conditions. Provided he remains in good health, he is likely to make a number of crucial decisions on social reform and the composition of the cabinet. Other royals should then emerge as followers rather than leaders. Since Abdallah's accession as king in August, a discernible power shift has taken place.." [more]

178 Municipal Councils Are Formed Across Saudi Arabia
P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News

JEDDAH, 15 December 2005 — Saudi Arabia yesterday announced the formation of 178 municipal councils across the country as part of political reforms introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, aimed at increasing participation of the public in the decision-making process.

“I have the pleasure to announce the completion of the formation of the municipal councils with the grace of God and with the instructions of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan,” said Prince Miteb, minister of municipal and rural affairs, while announcing the names of both elected and nominated members.

The announcement came eight months after landmark municipal elections that were held to pick half the members of 178 municipal councils. A total of 592 people have been elected through the polls, which started in the Riyadh region on Feb. 10, 2005.

Vice President Dick Cheney left [Dec. 17] on a five-day trip intended to highlight the Bush administration's efforts in fighting terrorism and improve the United States' image. Cheney plans to attend Monday's opening session of Afghanistan's parliament, review U.S. efforts to help quake victims in Pakistan and meet with Egyptian and Saudi leaders.

Saudi Arabia Supports Objectives of Doha Round Trade Talks [Dec 18]
"Saudi Arabian Minister of Commerce and Industry Hashim A. Yamani said Saturday that his country strongly supports the objectives of Doha Development Agenda (DDA), which will further strengthen the multilateral trading system and contribute to economic growth and development.. ..Concerning Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO earlier this month, the Saudi minister said to join this conference as a full member, his country made extensive commitments on goods, services and Intellectual Property Rights.." [more]

Aramco to Expand by 61 Percent [Dec 18]
"Saudi Aramco, which has approved its operating plan for the next year, anticipates a 61 per cent increase in the number of development wells to be drilled in 2006 to support current production and future increase in demand.. ..due to an unprecedented corporate push to increase oil output to help meet burgeoning global demand, Saudi Aramco's new plan anticipates that the company's drilling-rig fleet will be more than doubled from year-end 2004 through 2006.." [more]

Saudi WTO Delegation Seeks Hong Kong Direct Investment [Dec 18]
"A high level Saudi Arabian Government team led by Dr Hisham Yamani, Minister of Commerce, and Alaudeen Alaskari, the Consul General in Hong Kong, took time-out from the WTO meeting to promote foreign investments in Saudi Arabia. Along with representatives of the Saudi Arabia General Investment Authority, they advocated Saudi investments to Hong Kong funds and investors at an event hosted by KE Absolute, a regional stockbroker specializing in servicing hedge funds.." [more]

Dialogue Participants Meet King, Review Results [Dec 18]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah met yesterday with the participants of the 5th National Dialogue Forum.. ..For the first time the National Dialogue Forum was televised across the Kingdom. According to Al-Rajeh, the king said that even if nothing else came from the forum, it was admirable that it had reached every house in Saudi Arabia. All the participants — both men and women — were present, though the women’s participation was on closed-circuit television. After the speeches had been made, the king met the women in person and talked to them.." [more]

Kingdom Gears Up for 2006 Tourism Projects [Dec 18]
"A large number of new projects and programs will be implemented next year to strengthen the Kingdom’s tourism industry, Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT), announced.. ..Prince Sultan said regional authorities would be given more powers to carry out tourism projects. He emphasized the government’s plan to establish a full-fledged tourism industry with positive economic, social and national dimensions.." [more]

Haj Preparations in Full Swing [Dec 18]
"Saudi Arabia has stepped up preparations for the forthcoming Haj that begins on Jan. 8. More than 2.5 million pilgrims are expected.. ..The government has spent more than SR1 billion on various development projects in Makkah, Mina and Arafat this year to increase facilities for the guests of God. This includes expansion of the Jamrat (stoning area) in Mina.." [more]

Adila Urges Women to Take Charge [Dec 18]
"Women were urged to avail themselves of the Kingdom’s reforms that would give them a say in the administration of affairs concerning them. 'The Kingdom has been taking giant strides toward national development and a lot of avenues are being opened for women. They should learn to make use of these opportunities for their betterment,' Princess Adila bint Abdullah told a packed audience at a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) workshop entitled 'Saudi Women in the Millennium,' which began here yesterday.." [more]

King Speaks From the Heart [Dec 18]
"Speaking from the heart Saturday, King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, endorsed recommendations made by participants at the Fifth National Dialogue Forum.. ..'thanks be to Allah, now we have dialogue inside every house and amongst the members of every family', added King Abdullah, in what appeared to be an ominous reference to more tolerance for freedom of expression inside the Kingdom.." [more]

The Minority Chooses the Majority [Dec 18]
"A group of hand picked 150 liberal Saudi women has been assigned by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to discuss and formulate a list of recommendations that will be sent to male policy makers in helping the advancement of women in Saudi society.. ..The first session on women and labor was held on Saturday addressed the role of Saudi women in the labor force and the reasons why women are left behind in the work force.." [more]

New Drug Penal Law Enforced [Dec 18]
"Junkies and dope-smugglers across the Kingdom were quaking in their boots as the government got tough on drugs and enforced new narcotics laws. Endorsed by the Council of Ministers, the new laws will affect everyone and anyone involved in the illegal billion-dollar industry.. ..Article 37 Stipulates that capital punishment will be handed out to those who smuggle drugs or stimulant materials into the country. This extends to those who are implicated in the smuggling, plantation and processing of the narcotics.." [more]

Miteb Announces Bylaws for Municipal Councils [Dec 17]
"Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Prince Miteb has issued the executive bylaws of the newly formed 178 municipal councils across the Kingdom.. ..The municipal councils, which were set up as part of political reforms introduced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, will have a minimum of four members and a maximum of 14 members. They are given the authority to make budget proposals and review reports on municipal revenues and expenditures.." [more]

Six-Year Limit for Expats After GCC Consensus, Says Gosaibi [Dec 17]
"The proposal to restrict the stay of expatriates to six years was adopted by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) labor ministers following the directives of GCC leaders to offset the effect of foreign workers on the demographic structure of the member states.. ..The move comes in the wake of growing pressure from international organizations to allow expatriates to settle down in GCC countries and to give them equal rights.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Achieves Remarkable Economic Strides [Dec 17]
"..On the domestic level, the Kingdom has made remarkable achievements over years in various spheres of socio-economic development, thus becoming one of the most developed countries in the world.. ..The Kingdom has adopted a free market economic model. The financial, industrial and trade sectors of the economy have made rapid progress, enabling the private sector to play an increasingly important role in the development and diversification of the economy, especially in the fields of construction and farming.." [more]

Saudi Prepares to be IPO Savvy [Dec 17]
"What, why and how of taking the family business public would be the focus of the forum titled 'Leading Family Business to the Right IPO,' which opens in Riyadh on Sunday.. ..The forum is the first of its kind, taking place right after the Kingdom's accession to the WTO. Major business operations managed by Saudi families are going through restructuring in order to prepare for the newly competitive environment.." [more]

More Saudi Students in U.S [Dec 17]
"Urgently trying to improve relations with the United States, the Saudi Arabian government has been promoting a scholarship program that has more than doubled the number of Saudi enrollments at American colleges and universities since last year. The program, aimed in part at reducing widespread hostility in the Saudi public toward the United States, has reversed a steady plunge in Saudi students here that started immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. The Saudi government offered 5,000 students full four-year scholarships, complete with living allowances.." [more]

Plenty of Jobs in Various Sectors Available for Saudi Women [Dec 17]
"Plenty of jobs in various sectors are available for women, according to a study conducted by a consulting firm.. ..Saudi women represent only 30 per cent of the Saudi government employees, mainly in the education and health sectors. There are just 43,917 Saudi women working in the private sector who were listed with the National Saudi Social Insurance agency in 2004. On the positive side, Saudi women doubled their participation in the Saudi economy in the last two decades.." [more]

Saudi Author Stirs up Controversy, Support With ‘Girls of Riyadh’ [Dec 17]
"It’s hardly Sex and the City, but by Saudi standards The Girls of Riyadh is a bombshell. The fictional tale of the loves, dreams and disappointments of four young women in the capital has, not surprisingly, drawn criticism. More striking, however, is the degree of support being voiced for 24-year-old author Rajaa Al Sanie and her first novel.. ..The Girls of Riyadh was published in September in Lebanon, the most liberal of Arab countries, and is going into its third printing.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Fails to Break 17,000 Barrier [Dec 17]
"The Saudi stock market failed to break the 17,000 barrier last week. The bourse witnessed severe fluctuations, but the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) closed on Thursday at an all-time high of 16,988.08 points, an increase of 167.18 points or 0.99 percent over previous week's close. The index was higher by 185.32 points from Wednesday's closing.." [more]

Kingdom Top Destination for Filipino Workers [Dec 17]
"Saudi Arabia is still the top destination for Filipino workers, said an official at the Philippine Embassy here. Romulo Israel, vice consul at the Philippine Embassy, said Saudization has little effect as the Saudi sponsors and employers continue to recruit male and female Filipinos, particularly in job categories that include nurses, midwives and other household workers.. ..He said an estimated 850,000 to 900,000 Filipinos work in the Kingdom.." [more]

OPEC Raises Oil Demand Forecast [Dec 17]
"The OPEC oil cartel raised Friday its forecast for growth in oil demand next year based on predictions of stronger-than-expected expansion of the world economy. World demand for oil will increase by 1.9 percent in 2006 to 84.9 million barrels a day, OPEC said in a report released in Vienna.. ..OPEC members are currently benefiting from high oil prices, but are also producing at near full-capacity with output at levels unseen for 25 years.." [more]

US Visa Woes Could Hit Saudi Students’ Study Prospects [Dec 16]
"With a week remaining for students to submit their applications to study abroad next semester, and the visa section at the US Consulate in Jeddah closed since Nov. 13 due to security concerns, many students face postponing their studies abroad.. ..Saudis in the United States have also been affected. Abu Malek, who has not seen his family for over three years, said that he wants to visit but that he is afraid he will not be able to return due to the closure of the consulate.." [more]

UK Minister Seeks Cultural Accord With Kingdom [Dec 16]
"Eighteen Saudi youths, including three girls, were awarded certificates of merit in recognition of their achievement at the final MSc examination in sports science at London universities.. ..Since 1987, the program has grown dramatically. In 1991 there were three exchanges. This year there were an outstanding 56, bringing together young people from our two countries to compete, to train, to teach and to learn, he said, adding that there will be 72 such programs next year.." [more]

Ford Showroom in Jeddah World’s Largest [Dec 16]
"Jeddah now has the “world’s largest” Ford facility. Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. (AJVA), the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in Saudi Arabia.. ..Nearly SR100 million has been invested in the state-of-the-art buildings that feature fully integrated showrooms, service, parts centers, and central vehicles compound for the Ford and Lincoln brands.." [more]

A National Vision Emerges at Forum [Dec 16]
"The Fifth National Dialogue Forum “Us and Others” concluded yesterday with the presentation of a unified national vision related to how citizens should approach bridging the cultural gaps with outsiders.. ..Previously, the forum issued recommendations, but this time an attempt has been made to solidify more concrete actions that can be taken in dealing with the outside world.." [more]

120 More Saudi Detainees to be Released [Dec 16]
"A new batch of Saudi Guantanamo detainees will be released soon, Ahmad Mazhr, head of the Saudi team assigned to pursue, confirmed quoting reliable official sources. Mazhar told Al-Watan Arabic newspaper that the source declined to mention the time and numbers of detainees.." [more]

GCC Leaders to Tackle Demographic Issue [Dec 15]
"The annual summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which opens in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, will discuss a number of important topics including a proposal to restrict the stay of expatriate workers in the member states to a maximum of six years.. ..Saudi Labor Minister Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said the proposal was made in anticipation of international pressure to naturalize expatriates who have been living in the region for long periods.." [more]

178 Municipal Councils Are Formed Across Saudi Arabia [Dec 15]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday announced the formation of 178 municipal councils across the country as part of political reforms.. ..The announcement came eight months after landmark municipal elections that were held to pick half the members of 178 municipal councils. A total of 592 people have been elected through the polls, which started in the Riyadh region on Feb. 10, 2005.." [more]

UNICEF to Conduct Survey of Expat Street Children [Dec 15]
"In cooperation with the Saudi government, UNICEF will conduct a survey of expatriate street children in all parts of the country.. ..The survey will focus on specific issues such as HIV/AIDS, girls education, nutrition, child labor and early childhood development. It will also highlight millions of children who have not been the beneficiaries of past gains, the ones who are excluded or “invisible”. These are children without adequate access to education, to life-saving vaccines and to protection.." [more]

Explosives Seized at Riyadh Villa [Dec 15]
"Saudi security forces have seized large quantities of explosives and chemicals at a villa in Riyadh, newspapers reported yesterday. Home-made bombs, weapons, chemical products, computers and leaflets inciting violence were among the items seized.. ..Earlier this month, the ministry announced the arrest of 17 militants suspected of belonging to the Al-Qaeda network during raids in Riyadh, Al-Kharj to the south and Al-Majmaa to the north.." [more]

Aramco’s Operating Plan for Next Year Approved [Dec 15]
"Saudi Aramco has approved its operating plan for next year, anticipating a 61 percent increase in the number of development wells drilled in 2006 to support current production and future increase in demand.. ..The company also plans to carry out four mega-projects and seek new business opportunities in petrochemicals and other derivative products to further develop the Kingdom’s industrial base, provide new jobs for Saudis and stimulate economic growth.." [more]

Dialogue Forum Urges Tolerance [Dec 14]
"The three-day Fifth National Dialogue Forum, entitled “Us and Others,” began yesterday in Abha with 70 participants of both sexes.. ..A number of participants digressed from the main topic and emphasized that Saudis must learn to deal with “the other” who is also Saudi. In other words, all Saudis must learn to accept and deal with Saudis who may be different in terms of the religious school they follow, ethnic origins and even in color.." [more]

Saudi Exports Reach SR652BN [Dec 14]
"Saudi Arabia’s total exports reached record SR652 billion this year, reflecting positively on the country’s balance of payment.. ..Saudi Arabia’s current account was projected to record a surplus this year, SR326.5 billion, compared to SR194.7 billion last year. This represents an increase of 67.7 percent. The Kingdom announced the 2006 budget on Monday, projecting expenditures at SR335 billion and revenues at SR390 billion, the largest in its history.." [more]

Alwaleed Donates $40m to Harvard and Georgetown Universities [Dec 14]
"Kingdom Holding Company Chairman Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal announced yesterday his donation of $20 million to Georgetown University to support and expand its Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding (CMCU). The Center, part of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown, is an international leader in inter-religious scholarship and research.." [more]

SAGIA, Swicorp Launch $5BN Consortium [Dec 14]
"The Saudi Arabian Investment Authority (SAGIA) and Swicorp, a premier Swiss-based private equity and investment banking firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), announced yesterday a consortium to invest in energy-related projects worth $5 billion. The consortium will be known as Swicorp Joussour Company.." [more]

More Needs to be Done on Saudization [Dec 14]
"Saudization will never yield positive results unless there is a genuine partnership between the authorities concerned and business owners, according to Dr. Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, Minister of Labor. Gosaibi expressed his satisfaction at the outcome of the recruitment campaign launched by the ministry in different parts of the Kingdom, but described the private sector' s response as still below the ministry s expectations.." [more]

More Specialization for Saudi Women Planned [Dec 14]
"There will be more specializations in higher education for Saudi women so that they can have more job opportunities. This is one of the aims of the 8th Five-Year Development Plan.. ..Khaled bin Muhammad Al Gosaibi, Minister of Economy and Planning, was quoted as saying in the Arabic daily Okaz that the present education system did not open up many opportunities for women in the job market.." [more]

Education Focus of Largest-Ever Budget [Dec 13]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday announced the largest budget in its history, projecting revenues at record SR390 billion and expenditures at SR335 billion.. ..'We have set aside 26 percent of the budget for education and training,' the king said, emphasizing the significance of an educated, skilled work force. The budget has given the utmost importance to scholarship programs in order to help Saudis master modern science and technology.." [more]

OPEC Prepares for Oil Output Cut [Dec 13]
"OPEC paved the way for a cut in oil supplies early next year with an agreement yesterday that aims to pull organization’s production back within its official limits. OPEC, provider of a third of the world’s oil, retained its official 28 million barrels per day ceiling to keep consumer nations supplied through the winter. But it said it would rein in excess output to prepare for slacker demand in spring.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Becomes 149th Member of WTO [Dec 12]
"Saudi Arabia formally joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday, becoming the trade body’s 149th member and setting the stage for the Kingdom to play a significant role in global commerce.. ..Saudi Arabia has been negotiating its membership since July 1993. As a result of the negotiations, the Kingdom has agreed to undertake a series of important commitments to further liberalize its trade regime and accelerate its integration in the world economy.." [more]

Impact of Saudi Arabia’s Accession to WTO on Petrochemical Industries [Dec 12]
"..It is largely believed that the Saudi accession to the WTO will further enhance the competitive advantages enjoyed by the Saudi petrochemical industry and strengthen its position in the international market.. ..Overall, adhesion to the WTO bestows benefits and poses potential challenges to Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical producers. On the benefits side, the removal of trade barriers called for by WTO bylaws will allow Saudi petrochemical producers to offer lower prices to tariff-protected markets, such as the EU, US and Japanese markets.." [more]

Libyan Ambassador Returns to Saudi Arabia [Dec 12]
"The Libyan ambassador to Saudi Arabia returned on Sunday to Riyadh following his expulsion one year ago, when the two countries broke off diplomatic relations. Dr. Muhammad Sa’id Al-Qashat resumed his position as ambassador, while Saudi Arabia's ambassador is expected to return to Libya in the near future.." [more]

Saudi Arabia To Build Integrated Islamic Boarding School In Aceh [Dec 12]
"Saudi Arabia is building a Rp 1.4 trillion integrated Islamic boarding school complex in Banda Aceh capable of accommodating 2,000 children who had lost their parents in last year's tsunami, the ANTARA news agency said in its report Sunday. 'The construction of the school is one of Saudi Arabian Kingdom's care for the fate of fellow Moslems who had become victim to the devastating natural disaster'.." [more]

Haj Health Measures Raised Amidst Bird Flu Fears [Dec 12]
"Bird flu fears have prompted Saudi Arabia to increase the levels of health security measures surrounding the annual Haj pilgrimage. 'We have informed all foreign governments about the health conditions to be fulfilled by their pilgrims,' Saudia Arabia daily newspaper Arab News quoted Ministry spokesman Dr. Khaled Marghalani as saying." [more]

Agricultural Subsidies to Be Cut Gradually [Dec 12]
"With the Kingdom having formally acceded to the World Trade Organization (WTO) yesterday, agricultural subsidies will start to be gradually reduced by 13.3 percent over a ten-year period. Samba Financial Group Chief Economist Brad Bourland said that Saudi Arabia 'has committed to reduce its aggregate measures of support for agriculture under a long-term plan' to minimize any adverse impact on the agricultural sector.." [more]

OPEC May Keep Quota Unchanged [Dec 12]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday indicated the organization would keep its production quota at a meeting the next day but cast doubt on the need to renew an offer of spare capacity to the oil market.. ..Asked about renewing the pledge to create two-million bpd in spare capacity for another three months, Naimi emphasized the current offer, which is due to expire in December, has not been used.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Dips 117.17 Points [Dec 12]
"The Saudi stock market continued its downward march yesterday. The fall in the banking and industrial stocks dragged the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) down 117.17 points to close at 16,605.27. The value of the shares traded also declined to SR24.85 billion.." [more]

Arbitration Panel Formed [Dec 12]
"The International Chambers of Commerce-Saudi Arabia, which met in Riyadh Sunday for the first time after it was establishment in 1975 announced the formation of Saudi International Arbitration Commission (SIAC).. ..A.R. Al-Mifrah, Chairman and Secretary General of ICC-Saudi Arabia.. ..said ICC-Saudi Arabia will form a number of commissions in the manner the Paris-based has established. He said the ICC has a total of 16 commissions on a number of activities such as Anti-Corruption, Commercial Law and Practice (CLP), Customs and Trade Regulations, Financial Services and Insurance, Taxation, Trade and Investment among others.." [more]

Venture Capital Fund to Help Create Sustainable Growth [Dec 12]
"Last month's announcement that Intel will take active role in the growth of the information and communication technology (ICT) in the Middle East with the establishment of a $50 million venture capital fund to invest in technology companies developing innovative hardware, software and services in the region covering the Middle East and Turkey, represents a significant milestone in helping create sustainable growth, development and competitiveness of the region.." [more]

The SUSRIS project -- an independent, private-sector information resource – offers objective, comprehensive news and information on the history, breadth and depth of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship.
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