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"It's not often the United States, Israel and the Persian Gulf Arab states worry about the same thing. But right now, they are all focused on Iran. The country's growing militarism - trumpeted this week in missile tests and military maneuvers - plus its influence in Iraq and its controversial president, appear to be making some Arab states more nervous that there could be menace in Tehran's ways. Yet, many here have been reluctant to speak out, because they feel stuck between favoring Iran or favoring its arch-enemy Israel, both states with which Arabs have fought bloody wars.. ..Many say their greatest concern is that the United States might launch military action against Iran - a move they fear would destabilize the region and draw retaliation against Arab states.." [AP via Albuquerque Tribune]

"Saudi Arabia has invited bids for the construction of a security fence along the entire length of its 900km (560mile) desert border with Iraq in a multimillion-pound project that will attract interest from British defence companies. The barrier is part of a package to secure the Kingdom’s 6,500km of borders in an attempt to improve internal security and bolster its defences against external threats. Saudi Arabia is concerned that the chaos in Iraq could cause an overspill of sectarian violence and terrorism. The kingdom claims to be winning the battle against al-Qaeda’s Saudi wing but wants to protect itself against Saudi insurgents returning from Iraq.." [The Times]

JEDIDAT-ARAR BORDER CROSSING, Saudi Arabia (CNN) -- There are no signs of life as I look across the Saudi border into Iraq. I get about as close as the Saudi border guards will let me, about a hundred yards from southern Iraq. There is a two-lane road, blocked off by concrete barriers. It runs straight into Iraq. My guides tell me that if I walked to a cluster of streetlights on both sides of a small bridge, I would be in Iraq. Of course, they apologize, they can't let me go there.." [CNN]

Nigeria : Over 1 Million Poverty Stricken Immigrants in Saudi Arabia [Apr 8]
"Some Nigerian women arrive in Saudi Arabia to beg, steal, and prostitute, according a report in the Daily Independent of Nigeria. The Daily Independent said it had learnt that there were over one million Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, who are mostly illegal immigrants. They reportedly live and work under secret arrangements that must never be discovered by the no-nonsense Saudi police, who are alert and quick to fish out illegal immigrants and repatriate them.." [more]

Saudi Research & Marketing Group Going Public Today [Apr 8]
"The Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) is all set to go public today offering 24 million shares at SR46 per share.. ..Azzam M. Al-Dakhil, SRMG’s executive vice president, said the group was the first company to go public after the recent decision taken by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) splitting the nominal share value from SR50 to SR10 per share in order to boost stock market liquidity.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Gains 3.5% in a Week [Apr 8]
"The splitting of shares in three sectors in Saudi Arabia — agriculture, insurance and services — pushed the Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) up by 3.5 percent last week, which closed on Wednesday at 17,665.07 points, compared to 17,060.34 points in the previous week. The Saudi stock market was closed on Thursday to make arrangements for a 5-to-1 share split of telecom and banking stocks.." [more]

Riyadh Urged to Free Journalist [Apr 8]
"An international press watchdog has called for the immediate release of a Saudi journalist detained for the last five days after writing about religious extremism in the conservative kingdom. In a statement issued on Saturday, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, expressed deep concern about the detention of Rabah al-Quwai, who works for the Okaz and Shams dailies and two Saudi-run websites.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Desolate Gateway to War Next Door [Apr 7]
"There are no signs of life as I look across the Saudi border into Iraq. I get about as close as the Saudi border guards will let me, about a hundred yards from southern Iraq.. ..This border has actually been closed since Saddam Hussein's troops invaded Kuwait in 1990, reopening only for a month each year during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The Saudis are trying to keep the war next door from being felt here and have built a number of defenses.." [more]

Saudi Boycott of Danish Dairy Company Ends [Apr 7]
"Cheese and butter from the Danish company Arla were back in supermarkets Thursday in Saudi Arabia after an Islamic group ended a boycott of the dairy firm sparked by drawings of the Prophet Muhammad. Arla Foods said its products were now selling in 3,000 shops and supermarkets in the Middle East.." [more]

The Sino-Saudi Connection [Apr 7]
"In late January his royal highness Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and king of Saudi Arabia, summoned to his presence 50 of his kingdom's leading business figures and officials. 'I am very proud of you, our business community,' he beamed as he talked with the executives, one of them recalled. 'Our businessmen are credible, honest. I am very proud.' The venue was not the sprawling royal palace in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Agrees to Provide Assistance for Oil Exploration in Sri Lanka [Apr 7]
"Saudi Arabia agrees to provide assistance for oil exploration activities in Sri Lanka. This follows discussions conducted between Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and Minister A.H.M.Fowzie. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum Sheikh Nazeem has informed the willingness of his country to provide credit amounting to 500 million rupees for extension of oil refineries in Sri Lanka.." [more]

Kingdom, Japan Call for N-Free Mideast [Apr 7]
"Saudi Arabia and Japan yesterday called for a Middle East free of nuclear weapons and wanted diplomacy to end the row over Iran’s nuclear program. Crown Prince Sultan and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi issued the joint call after official talks in Tokyo.. ..The joint statement also called for finding a just and lasting solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, adding that such a solution was essential to reinforce peace and stability in the Middle East.." [more]

Ethiopia: High-Level Saudi Arabian Delegation Arrives [Apr 6]
"A five-member delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia led by the Kingdom's Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf has arrived here late yesterday for a three-day working visit in Ethiopia.. ..During its three-day stay here, the Saudi delegation will meet senior Ethiopian government officials and discuss issues of bilateral interest. A 56.2 million birr loan agreement is expected to be signed between the two countries today at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.." [more]

Japan, Saudi Arabia Agree to Launch FTA Talks with GCC [Apr 6]
"Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed Thursday to launch negotiations on concluding a free trade agreement between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which consists of six oil producers in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia.. ..Japan and the GCC will hold preparatory negotiations in late May in Riyadh, Japan's foreign, trade, farm and finance
ministries said.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Ambassador Explains Misconceptions [Apr 6]
"There are many misconceptions about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States said in a speech Wednesday in Forum Hall. The speech was part of International Week.. ..All Saudi Arabia has accomplished is poorly conveyed to Americans, Al-Faisal said.." [more]

Arla Hopes Boycott to End Soon [Apr 6]
"Danish food firm Arla hopes calls by religious scholars to end a boycott of its products will restore business in Saudi Arabia, its top market in a region that has seen violence over offensive cartoons. A top executive at Europe's second largest dairy firm said Arla had lost more than 80 per cent of its turnover on the Saudi market, which accounts for 75 per cent of its sales in the Middle East, estimated at more than $400 million.." [more]

Saudi Rating Upgraded [Apr 6]
"Standard & Poor's yesterday raised its long-term foreign currency sovereign credit rating on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to 'A+' from 'A' on the government's strengthened external financial position. S&P affirmed the 'A+' long-term local currency and 'A-1' short-term sovereign credit ratings. The outlook on both the foreign and local currency ratings is stable.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Fund Permanent Summit Seat [Apr 6]
"Saudi Arabia will fund the construction of a permanent seat for Arab summits in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, an Arab diplomat said Wednesday. Egypt will offer the land for the building, the Riyadh-based diplomat said. The decision comes after Saudi Arabia declined, during the annual Arab summit in Khartoum last week, to host next year's gathering in Riyadh.." [more]

A Pioneer in Her Field [Apr 6]
"Nadia Bakhurji recently won an impressive victory for Saudi women by being the first lady to be elected onto the newly formed Saudi Engineers Council.. ..Bakhurji has plans to increase female membership of the SEC (which currently stands at only 20 out of 5000 members), and develop policies, which support women practising in design and engineering fields.." [more]

Saudis Seeking New Zealand Education on the Rise [Apr 6]
"As Saudi students increasingly look eastward for their education abroad, New Zealand’s top man in Riyadh is more than happy to lay down the 'welcome' mat.. ..The Kingdom’s 'Look East' policy is not delegated simply to political and economic ties, but educational and touristic as well. The traditional destinations of the US and the UK have been affected by the increased scrutiny of a post-9/11 environment.." [more]

Businesswomen’s Forum Lists 11 Recommendations [Apr 6]
"The recommendations made at the second forum of the Gulf Businesswomen’s Committee will be put in a strategy and work plan, said Princess Mashael bint Faisal ibn Turki ibn Abdul Aziz.. ..The forum sought to create a network for the Gulf businesswomen and it was clear over the two days of the forum that some women took the opportunity and discussed business with each other. At the end of the two-day forum, a list of eleven recommendations were made to further the interests of women and protect their rights.." [more]

Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia Sign 6.53MLN USD Loan Agreement [Apr 6]
"The government of Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia signed a loan agreement amounting to US $6.53 million today. The loan would be used to partially finance the execution of the 100-km Assosa-Kurmuk Road Project. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Sufian Ahmed and Minister of Finance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Ibrahim Abdulaziz Al-Assaf signed the agreement.." [more]

US Mideast Envoy Meets Saudi Foreign Minister [Apr 5]
"Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal met Wednesday with US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch, who is on a regional tour to discuss aid to the Palestinians under the Hamas government.. ..SPA said Prince Saud also received the director of the Palestinian Initiative Programme, Mustafa al-Barghouthi, who is currently on a visit to the Kingdom. Welch and al-Barghouti also met in Riyadh with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef.." [more]

Saudi Arabia’s Public Sector Gets Top Marks in Technology Adoption and Use [Apr 5]
"Saudi Arabia’s public sector is making world-leading use of IT and network technologies to improve services to citizens.. ..According to the study, the use of technology had helped Saudi Arabian public sector departments boost customer satisfaction by 44 percent in the last year.. ..All this is in the face of a generally poorer infrastructure environment than is generally found in Europe.." [more]

Saudis Call for Global Curbs on Oil Consumption [Apr 5]
"The world's only oil superpower boosted output last month, launching a pair of projects that are part of a massive $55 billion (U.S.) endeavour to keep pace with the world's ever-intensifying thirst for oil. But demand for the world's top source of energy is rising so fast.. ..Most urgently needed is energy conservation, especially in the United States, which now burns up a quarter of the oil sold to the world, said Saddad al-Husseini, the former head of production at state-owned Saudi Aramco.." [more]

Riyadh Unfazed by Iran’s War Games [Apr 5]
"Saudi Arabia said on Tuesday it was not concerned about Iran’s Gulf war games, saying Tehran did not pose a threat to its neighbours. But Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal hinted Riyadh did not back possible Iranian talks with the United States on Iraq.. ..The Saudi foreign minister called for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction.." [more]

Saudi-Japan Relations [Apr 5]
"The timing and the leader involved in the visit to take Saudi-Japanese relations to the next level could not have been better — the two countries commemorated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year and Prince Sultan, then defense and aviation minister, was the first high-ranking Saudi official to visit Japan in 1960. In choosing Japan for his first foreign tour since assuming new office, Crown Prince Sultan is following King Abdullah’s trend of Riyadh making a concerted effort toward further warming relations with its Asian neighbors.." [more]

King Faisal Foundation to Go Public This Year [Apr 5]
"The King Faisal Foundation, a well-known Riyadh institution, has announced that Saudis will have an opportunity to become shareholders in the ownership of its commercial and residential properties when a public offering (IPO) is floated at the end of this year.. ..Deutsche Bank had been appointed as a financial adviser for the flotation of the IPO in cooperation with the Capital Market Authority (CMA).." [more]

Saudi Stocks Up 2.2% on Split Fever [Apr 5]
"Saudi shares climbed 2.2 percent yesterday, buoyed mainly by blue-chips Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) and Al-Rajhi Bank which surged ahead of a share split this week.. ..Bourse authorities last week began a gradual 5-1 share split to make stock prices affordable to a larger proportion of the more than 3 million retail investors.." [more]

US Says Saudi Individuals Still Funding Terrorism [Apr 4]
"..Stuart Levey, the Treasury's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Saudi Arabia had made significant strides in counterterrorism efforts in recent years and that the kingdom was "doing an excellent job" fighting operatives of Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network at home. But he told a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee that concerns remained, including the existence of so-called "deep-pocket donors" and the abuse of charities to fund militants." [more]

Saudi Arabia and the Wealth of Stability [Apr 4]
"In addition to its Islamic standing, Saudi Arabia capitalizes on two other key wealth: oil and stability. Coupled with the adopted moderate line, they have earned a regional and international weight it has in turn harnessed to serve the causes of the Arabs and Muslims and to build bridges of cooperation and dialogue between them and the major active superpowers.." [more]

Moscow Hails Intensive Dialogue with Saudi Arabia [Apr 4]
"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Moscow gives high marks to a dialogue and cooperation with Saudi Arabia.. ..He noted that Russia is 'particularly interested in cooperation on regional issues, where more and more problems are accumulating'. He stressed that Russia and Saudi Arabia have similar stances 'and avoid steps that would destabilize the situation in the region'.." [more]

KSA's Refinery Boom [Apr 4]
"In an ever-changing oil market, nothing stays still. With tight supply lines and bottlenecks in refinery operations, state and private oil companies are pushing for change and expansion.
Saudi Arabian refining operations look set to be part of that change. Several factors are influencing the new moves in Saudi refining.." [more]

Kingdom Plans New Tourism Initiatives [Apr 4]
"With plans under way of granting tourist visas to visitors, Saudi Arabia is considering the introduction of new tourism initiatives.. ..“The Kingdom, under the direction of Supreme Commission of Tourism and its Secretary General Prince Sultan ibn Salman, is soon launching a new initiative to focus on the country’s diverse cultural and geographical attractions.” David Rose, managing director of Dubai-based Action, part of Action global Communications Group.." [move]

NCB Outperforms Top Global Institutions [Apr 4]
"Saudi Arabia’s National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced its success - against ‘blue chip’ global institutions - in winning a title that recognizes it as one of the world’s top stock pickers. NCB’s Amer Al Karnous, Head of Strategic Business Planning, took first place in the Wellington Institute Investment Challenge, an international competition pitting some of the world’s most astute institutional investors against each other.." [more]

Demand May Outpace Saudi Oil Capacity [Apr 4]
"The world's only oil superpower boosted output last month, launching a pair of projects that are part of a massive $55 billion endeavor to keep pace with the world's ever-intensifying thirst for oil. But demand for the world's premiere source of energy is rising so fast - by around 2 million barrels per day each year - that even Saudi Arabia's vast resources will be unable to cope without drastic help, oil executives and analysts say.." [more]

Royal Family Is United: Sultan [Apr 4]
"Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, yesterday reaffirmed the unity of the ruling royal family. 'I can assure you and everyone else that the ruling family is united in one hand and one heart.. ..the crown prince said there are no differences among the members of the royal family. 'These are lies spread by those who envy our country,' he said when asked whether there were any differences among the family members.." [more]

Foreign Office Issues Travelers with Terrorist Attack Guidance [Apr 4]
"The Foreign Office last night issued fresh guidance to travellers about the possibility of an imminent attack in Saudi Arabia.. ..Flag carrier British Airways cancelled flight 263 to Riyadh, due to fly on Monday afternoon, amid fears Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda terror network had targeted the aircraft.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Donates Relief Goods to PRCS for Quake Survivors [Apr 4]
"Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri on Monday handed over relief consignment of worth 2.5 million Riyals to Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) for earthquake survivors.. ..Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh.. ..said the Saudi government is taking special interest in rehabilitation and reconstruction. He said that Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that immediately provided relief goods for the quake survivors.." [more]

King Calls for Joint Arab Stand on Global Issues [Apr 4]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for every effort that leads to the strengthening of Arab unity and joint Arab action as well as to a united stand on major global issues.. ..Abdullah reiterated the government’s resolve to fight corruption and red tape and improve the efficiency of government workers.." [more]

Products of Danish Dairy Company Return to Supermarket Shelves [Apr 4]
"Products of the Danish dairy conglomerate Arla Foods, maker of the popular Lurpak brand butter, will be back on the supermarket shelves in Saudi Arabia from tomorrow.. ..A general boycott of Danish products after a newspaper in Denmark published 12 cartoons denigrating the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) last September, has led to Arla suspending plans to expand its operations in Kingdom.." [more]

Celebrating 'GE Day' For the First Time in Saudi Arabia [Apr 3]
"GE, the global technology, media and financial services company, celebrated its first 'GE Day' in the Kingdom.. ..This is a key GE initiative to showcase latest technologies from its various businesses that include energy, water, transportation, healthcare, finance and the media. After Riyadh, GE Day will be held in Dammam on April 4, 2006.." [more]

Citigroup Plans Saudi Operations [Apr 3]
"Citigroup is seeking a license to set up in Saudi Arabia two years after selling its stake in Saudi American Bank to the state-owned Public Investment Company.. ..Citigroup's chief executive, Charles Prince, met Saturday with government officials in Riyadh.. .."Our confidence in the Saudi economy is strong and we look forward to re- establishing Citigroup's presence in the kingdom," Prince said.." [more]

Pro Technology Eyes Saudi Arabian Market for Regional Expansion [Apr 3]
"Pro Technology, a leading provider of storage, backup, digital archiving, business and mobility solutions has announced plans to expand into lucrative IT market in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) by opening an office at Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia in May this year. KSA accounts for more than 40 per cent share of the region's IT market.." [more]

Saudi Arabia and Switzerland Sign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement [Apr 3]
"Saudi Arabia and Switzerland signed an investment promotion and protection agreement here Saturday in a renewed move to boost economic links.. ..The bilateral accord will also boost a climb in the value of licensed Swiss investments, which comes at a time when the value of non-oil Saudi exports to Switzerland has jumped some 11-fold.." [more]

France to Step Up Export-Promotion Drive to Saudi Arabia [Apr 3]
"France will step up its export-promotion drive by opening branches and distribution channels for French companies. French Minister of Foreign Trade Christine Lagarde told newsmen that her country would also promote 'Made in France' labels to project the country as a producer of quality goods. The presence of French hypermarkets in the Kingdom could serve as a launching pad for such products.." [more]

Sultan to Begin Three-Nation Asian Tour [Apr 3]
"In another important move aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s relations with Asian countries, Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, will visit Japan, Singapore and Pakistan beginning on Wednesday, April 5. The crown prince’s tour is an extension of the historic visits by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to China, India, Malaysia and Pakistan last January. This royal visit is also a reflection of Saudi Arabia’s look-East policy.." [more]

SRMG Offers 24 Million Shares in IPO [Apr 3]
"Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) offers 24 million shares at the rate of SR46 each for public subscription in a major IPO (initial public offering) that begins on April 8.. ..SRMG was the first company to go public after the recent decision taken by the Capital Market Authority (CMA).." [more]

Saudi King Vows to Maintain 'Moderate' Oil Production [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has vowed to maintain its 'moderate' policy of oil production to ensure the world economy is protected from turbulence.. ..He vowed that his oil-rich country will do so to 'protect the international economy from turbulence'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Organization to Focus on Women's Issues [Apr 2]
"Turki Khalid al-Sudayri, head of the government's Human Rights Organization, says that women's issues will receive special attention from the organization and that the organization will have a special women's division that will be concerned with all matters regarding women's affairs and issues in our society. He said that the office will be administered by highly qualified female Saudis and that the organization is still at the stage of being established.." [more]

Saudi Arabian Documentary Wins Second Prize in Tunis [Apr 2]
"The Kingdom was awarded second prize at the Fifth International Film Festival for Environmental Protection that ended Thursday in Tunis. Saudi Arabia’s award winning film, “Invasion of Baboons”, is a 10-minute documentary.. ..the film depicts the environmental damage done by thousands of baboons in some parts of the Kingdom.." [more]

Special Court to Try Al-Qaeda Terrorists: Naif [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabia will soon set up a special court to try Al-Qaeda militants held for their involvement in terrorist attacks across the country, Interior Minister Prince Naif said.. ..The minister said the Kingdom’s security forces had foiled about 90 percent of attacks planned by Al-Qaeda terrorists.." [more]

Saudi Stocks Drop 2.51% to 16,632 Points [Apr 2]
"Saudi stocks plunged yesterday as the Capital Market Authority (CMA) implemented the increase in fluctuation band
from 5 percent to 10 percent and stock-splitting of services, insurance and agriculture sectors. The Tadawul All-Share
Index (TASI) closed 428.28 points or 2.51 percent down at 16,632.06 points yesterday.." [more]

Saudia Expected to Sell 30% Shares in IPO This Year [Apr 2]
"Saudi Arabian Airlines is expected to sell 30 percent of its shares in an initial public offering (IPO) this year. According to informed sources, the airline has already presented its documents to the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to complete IPO procedures.." [more]

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