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Saudi Air Launches Privatization With Catering Unit [Aug 12]
"State-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines kicked off a long-awaited privatization on Saturday by inviting bids for a stake of up to 49 percent in its catering unit. The catering division is one of five the kingdom’s flag carrier plans to privatize by the end of next year before floating a stake in its core transport business. The airline, one of the three largest in the Middle East, is looking to sell between 30 and 49 percent of the catering unit and has set a Sept. 27 deadline for bids.."

Petroleum Ministry Sets Global 'Green' Forum [Aug 12]
"The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced yesterday that it would hold the first international conference on sustainable development in the petroleum industry. The event, titled "The Mechanism of Clean Development", is scheduled for Sept. 19-21 at the King Faisal Hall at Riyadh's Inter-Continental Hotel.."[more]

Arab Media Watch [Aug 12]
"Journalists and writers appalled by callous attitude of US president to the sufferings of the Lebanese people.. ..Exceprts from regional papers.." [more]

Partial Trade Deal on the Table with China [Aug 12]
"The GCC and China seem more determined than ever to pursue the goal of attaining a free trade agreement (FTA) in the not-too-distant future.. ..For the GCC an accord with China should prove useful. It would mean getting access to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.." [more]

Makkah Imam Blasts UN for Being a Mute Spectator [Aug 12]
"The imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah yesterday warned against the consequences of religious wars and clashes of civilizations, saying no country would be safe from such explosive incidents.. ..The imam wondered why some Western governments were supporting the Israeli occupation of Arab land and the atrocities committed against Muslims, endangering their political and economic interests in the Muslim world.." [more]

IPO Stirs Reform Debate in Saudi Arabia [Aug 11]
"The initial public offering of a small Saudi housing company will open tomorrow under unprecedented scrutiny amid growing pressure for reforms to address some of the problems that led to a stock market crash in February. In this conservative kingdom that tolerates little dissent, analysts and the media are now questioning the merits of the Red Sea Housing’s $139.2m IPO, as well as the regulations around listings generally.."

Saudi Ministry of Justice Completes First Phase of Plan to Improve Women's Access to Courts [Aug 11]
"Saudi Ministry of Justice has completed the first step of a mechanism to regulate the entry of women to courts across the Kingdom. The public courts in the capital and the sea port of Jeddah have been equipped with new halls to deal with women’s cases.. ..special offices are now ready to receive women and deal with their cases, in order to assist them and help them reach the offices of sheikhs, notaries and judges, in accordance to the Ministry’s plan aimed at assisting women in legal matters.." [more]

Move to Open Up Aviation Sector in Saudi Arabia for Foreign Investments [Aug 11]
"There is a move to open up investment in the aviation sector in Saudi Arabia to foreign companies. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) will coordinate with the Supreme Economic Council's (SEC) secretariat to lift the ban on foreign investment in civil aviation and remove it from the negative list. Opening up of the Kingdom's civil aviation sector will contribute SR25 billion annually to the national economy by 2020, and create more than 50,000 jobs.." [more]

Impact of Terrorist Plot Unlikely to Hit Mideast [Aug 11]
"Although the thwarted terror plan in the United Kingdom sent everything from the price of oil to airline stocks tumbling, analysts see little economic impact in the Middle East.. ..But even if travellers shy away from flying, the reverberations that are shaking up airline stocks will probably have little impact on Middle East-based carriers or tourism markets.." [more]

Kingdom, Turkey Set to Boost Trade Ties [Aug 11]
"Saudi Arabia and Turkey set out a new vision of economic relations yesterday during a business meeting here jointly chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.. ..King Abdullah and Erdogan pledged to remove all barriers and extend all support to businessmen of the two countries to boost trade and increase investment links.." [more]

Saudi Flights Continue as Heathrow Locks Down [Aug 11]
"Hundreds of passengers bound for London from Saudi Arabia were in a state of confusion with the UK canceling many flights in the wake of the unfolding of a terror plot. But airlines operating from the Kingdom said there was little or no disruption of flights. Airlines flying direct to London include Saudi Arabian Airlines and bmi. British Airways is an offline carrier in the Kingdom and operates from Bahrain. All of their flights for the day had headed for London as per schedule.." [more]

Liberals Fear Emergence of a New Generation of Angry Young Men [Aug 11]
"There is outrage in Saudi Arabia over events in Lebanon and Palestine — and it is directed as much toward the US as it is toward Israel. Saudis from all walks of life are angered by United States’ blind support of Israel.. ..Many Saudi liberals fear a new wave of angry young men joining the ranks of extremists as a result. “We will not be able to stop them,” they say in evident desperation.." [more]

Kingdom to Host World Conference on Tourism [Aug 10]
"Saudi Arabia will host the first international conference on tourism and handicrafts in Islamic countries. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will open the conference scheduled to be held in Riyadh on Nov. 7-14.. ..The conference will be held at King Abdul Aziz Historical Center in Riyadh.." [more]

Saudi Arabia and Egypt to Combine Electricity Systems [Aug 10]
"A Source close to the Saudi Ministry of Water & Electricity has revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Saudi and Egyptian Governments will sign an agreement on August 23 that will combine both counties electricity systems. The agreement is one of a series between Arab countries, stretching from Morocco in the west to the Persian Gulf in the east. Experts assess that the entire Pan-Arab project will be completed by 2010 and will cost $50 billion.." [more]

Saudi to Ease Access to Bourse [Aug 10]
"Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority says it will allow government investment institutions, pension funds and social insurance funds based in the six GCC states to invest in the Saudi bourse.. ..Gulf investment in the bourse was previously made either by using a Saudi intermediary or through mutual funds.." [more]

Focus on Saudi Opportunities at London Seminar [Aug 10]
"The London-based Middle East Association is holding its third annual seminar on Saudi Arabia at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London on September 7.. ..Senior British businessmen working in the kingdom will cover key priority sectors including oil and gas, petrochemicals, construction, power and water, education/training, consumer products and agriculture.." [more]

Abdullah Lashes Out at Israeli Aggression [Aug 10]
"..'Perhaps the biggest proof of how our world is full of danger is the Israeli aggression that brotherly Lebanon is subjected to these days,' Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz said on Tuesday night at a banquet hosted in his honour by Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer. 'Members of the international community must engage in policies that are adventure-free, balanced and farsighted'.." [more]

Turkey and Saudi Arabia Sign 6 Deals [Aug 9]
"Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz arrived in Ankara yesterday as part of a crucial visit initiated by Turkey to attract Arab investors to the country.. ..The deals include: agreements regarding political advisers, cooperation between state achieves, mutual promotion and protection of investments, taxation coordination to prevent a doubling up, cooperation on health issues, and the regulation of passenger and goods transportation by land.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, Mexico to Help Fill U.S. Oil Gap [Aug 9]
"Saudi Arabia and Mexico have both promised to help the United States make up any gaps in oil supply caused by BP's Alaska pipeline shutdown.. ..'We've had contact with the governments of Saudi Arabia and Mexico. If there are supply shortages, they have agreed to help us in trying to address those,' White House spokesman Tony Snow told reporters at President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Establish New Technology Park [Aug 9]
"The Saudi government revealed the intention to establish the information technology park, which will be placed in Riyadh to be the first project of its type in the country.. ..Commission official described the project as a major step toward expanding advanced technological facilities required by businessmen and investors in the Kingdom and creating an attractive environment for the national economy to grow.." [more]

Saudi Authority Issues 500,000 Investment Licenses in 2006's Second Quarter [Aug 9]
"The rate of licenses issued by the General Authority for Investment (GIA) in Saudi Arabia during the second quarter of 2006 has increased to more than 500,000 licenses, a 107 percent growth in comparison with the same period last year.. ..The rise in the rate of the value of licences is attributed to the efforts of the Saudi government in improving the economic and investment environment and increase of confidence in the strength of the Saudi economy and Saudi accession to the World Trade Organization.." [more]

Arabs Exported Crisis to Security Council [Aug 9]
"Arab press has continued to hold Arab leaders responsible for the crisis apart from the United States. Here are the excerpts.." [more]

Saudi Opposition Group Sets Up Base in Paris [Aug 9]
"The son of the last ruler of part of present-day Saudi Arabia said yesterday he was setting up an opposition party in Paris to seek democratic rule in the oil-rich kingdom. 'We announce the birth of the 'Saudi Democratic Opposition Front' which will struggle by peaceful means for the establishment of democracy in the country,' said Prince Talal Mohammad Al Rashid.." [more]

Saudi Women Journalists Battle On [Aug 8]
"Female journalists in Saudi Arabia are gaining a reputation for tenacity as they struggle against the kingdom's many restrictions on women.. ..the few women who have taken advantage of King Abdullah's tentative liberalisation of Saudi society to venture into the media industry have won praise for their tenacity and professionalism.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Slowly Opens Window on AIDS [Aug 8]
"For years Saudi Arabia kept its growing AIDS problem hidden. Statistics on the disease were sealed in envelopes and guarded like national secrets. In mosques, imams spoke of AIDS as the 'wrath of God' brought upon people who commit 'sexual deviancy.' Now the government is changing its policy on AIDS. In June, the Ministry of Health announced that more than 10,000 people in Saudi Arabia were infected with the virus, HIV, or had AIDS, including nearly 600 children.."

Will Saudi Arabia Need to Make up Alaska Oil Loss? [Aug 8]
"Oil power Saudi Arabia stands willing to make up lost supplies from BP's closure of its giant Alaskan oilfield, but it may not need to. Much depends on how long the 400,000 barrels per day (bpd) Prudhoe Bay oilfield stays off-line.. ..If the Saudis feel the market is truly oversupplied, then perhaps there won't be a full response," Mike Wittner of Calyon said on Tuesday.."

Delayed Summit Plan Expected from Arab Leaders [Aug 8]
"Arab leaders, who until now have taken no serious steps on the issue of Lebanon as well as the problems in Palestine and Iraq, will reportedly meet in the Saudi Arabian city of Mecca this weekend; a month after the beginning of the Israeli attacks. Lebanese LBC-Hayat TV network and the Beirut-based Assafir newspaper reported that Saudi Foreign Minister Suud al-Faysal will likely call for a summit at the extraordinary meeting of foreign ministers of Arab countries that started yesterday.." [more]

Saudi King Arrives in Turkey with $25 Billion for Investment [Aug 8]
"Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, due to arrive in the Turkish capital of Ankara today by invitation of Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, will be accompanied by a delegation of 70 businessmen. Investment talks in the sectors of energy, finance, tourism, the petrochemical industry and telecommunications will be held in this frame. The privatizations in Turkey that the King plans to take advantage of are worth approximately $25 billion. Saudi businessmen are interested in energy distribution tenders such as Petkim Petrochemical Plant, Halk Bank and sugar processing plants.." [more]

Saudi Police Hold 7 After Pro-Hizbollah Marches [Aug 7]
"Saudi police have detained at least seven people after pro-Hizbollah protests in the east of the kingdom, home to a Shi'ite Muslim minority, according to residents.. ..Authorities have shown unusual leniency in tolerating some marches against Israeli attacks in Lebanon, but police on Thursday dispersed a demonstration in the region. Public protests are banned in Saudi Arabia, which sees itself as the bastion of Sunni Islam.." [more]

Saudi Arabia and the Human Capital Investment Management [Aug 7]
"..As Saudization and human capital investment continues to grow in the Kingdom, companies will seek strategies to guide decision making about this critical investment. Calculating the ROI on human capital expenditures will play a substantial role in shaping decisions about an organization's human capital investments and will help Saudi companies to train the local youths accordingly.." [more]

Oil Report [Aug 7]
"..Crude output from Opec fell to 29,55- million barrels a day last month, down from a seven-month high in June (29,8-million barrels).. ..The disruption came just a week after US light crude hit a record high of $78,40 a barrel amid concern about the continued escalating conflict between Israel and Lebanese-based Hezbollah guerrillas. The world’s largest exporter Saudi Arabia kept supply steady last month at 9,2-million barrels a day.." [more]

Record 10 Million Saudis Subscribe to SR2.55 Billion Emaar the Economic City IPO [Aug 7]
"An overwhelming 10 million Saudis, approximately half the country’s national population, subscribed to the ten-day initial public offering (IPO) of Emaar the Economic City.. ..In another record of sorts, the IPO fetched the largest ever subscription through automatic teller machines (ATMs) highlighting the trend of Saudi nationals being increasingly tech and online savvy. Over 30 per cent of the total subscriptions were made via ATMs." [more]

Arab Foreign Ministers Begin Extraordinary Meeting [Aug 7]
"The Arab foreign ministers began here today an extraordinary meeting to review the Israeli aggression on Lebanon and means for confronting challenges facing the Arab region. The Saudi delegation to the meeting is led by foreign minister Prince Saud al-Faisal.." [more]

Special Courts to Begin Terror Suspects’ Trial [Aug 7]
"The long-awaited trial of suspected militants involved in a series of terror operations across the Kingdom during the past three years will begin soon, said an informed source close to the Justice Ministry. The trial will take place in special courts.. ..Al-Asheikh previously clarified that the formation of special courts does not mean they are outside the framework of general judicial procedures or that they deny defendants their rights. The courts will also allow foreign observers at the trial.." [more]

Saudis Send Their Views to US President [Aug 7]
"Over 10,000 Saudi men and women from the Eastern Province have signed a heavily worded letter addressed to President George W. Bush condemning the United States for its unequivocal support of Israel in its attack on Lebanon. Signatories of the letter include leading and influential academics, journalists, religious leaders and artists. The message, together with the signatures, was handed by a group of Saudis to the US Consul General in Dhahran, John Kincannon.." [more]

JCCI to Host First ME Real Estate Meet [Aug 7]
"With the Saudi and Gulf real estate boom showing little signs of abating, the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry is geared to host the Kingdom’s first international real estate conference later this year. The event — IREF-ME 2006 — is due to be held at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel from Nov. 4-6.." [more]

Saudi King Abdullah to Visit Turkey on August 8 [Aug 6]
"Saudi King Abdullah will pay a three-day historic visit to Turkey August 8-10, the first time a Saudi king has paid an official visit to the country. King Abdullah, accompanied by some 400 delegates, including a 45-person team of businessmen, will sign several key agreements, including a military cooperation accord and agreements on duties, trade and transport.." [more]

Saudi Youth Use Cellphone Savvy To Outwit the Sentries of Romance [Aug 6]
"Cellphone technology is changing the way young people meet and date in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, one of the most insular, conservative and religiously strict societies in the world. Calls and texting -- and more recently, Bluetooth -- are breaking down age-old barriers and giving young men and women discreet new ways around the sentries of romance.." [more]

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul Makes Gains [Aug 6]
"Stocks in Saudi Arabia rose, paced by Saudi Basic Industries Corp and Al Rajhi Bank. Shares in the United Arab Emirates fell. Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index rose 4.2% to 11,213.17 in Riyadh. The measure has slumped 33% in 2006.." [more]

National Commercial Bank's Saudi Trading Equity Fund Rated Top Performer Worldwide [Aug 6]
"Standard & Poor's Fund Services, the world's leading provider of independent fund information, ratings and research, recently ranked the National Commercial Bank's (NCB) Saudi Trading Equity Fund as the top performing equity fund across the globe during June 2006.. ..The Saudi Trading Equity Fund, launched in June 1998, is an open-ended fund offering investors Shariah-compliant asset allocation in the Saudi stock market.." [more]

Domestic Violence Not Rife in Saudi Arabia [Aug 6]
"A study on housemaids conducted by the Saudi Ministry of Social Welfare has shown they suffer more from physical violence than sexual harassment. The study, which the ministry compiled in a book titled Family Violence, pointed out that other groups in society, such as wives and children, generally only suffer from negligence and scolding.." [more]

Minister Decries Saudi Maid Craze [Aug 6]
"A Saudi minister has said he finds it revolting to see spoilt children waited on hand and foot by Asian maids, whose main role is often that of status symbol. Labour Minister Ghazi Algosaibi said the kingdom had become too dependent on foreign maids, mainly from Asia, but did not say if entry visas for them would be curbed.. ..Algosaibi said Saudi Arabia was now a society 'dizzy from the boom' but that he was not intending to try to change its 'consumerist and lavish habits'.." [more]

Opec Output Fell 250,000 bpd in July [Aug 6]
"Opec’s oil output slid 250,000 bpd in July, even as prices hit record highs, after a pipeline leak in Nigeria and maintenance in Venezuela hit production, a Reuters survey found. Crude output from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries fell to 29.55mn bpd in July, down from a seven-month high in June at 29.8mn bpd, the survey of consultants, shippers, industry and Opec sources said.." [more]

Businessman Gifts Ambulances to Lebanon [Aug 6]
"The Lebanese consul general in Jeddah, Ghassan Al-Moallem, received yesterday on behalf of the Lebanese government the first of five ambulances donated by Saudi businessman Ali Al-Nagoor, president of the Al-Nagoor Group for International Investment.. ..The Saudi public had also donated nearly SR120 million in the telethon not mentioning other donations that came from other sources in the Kingdom.." [more]

Turkish Media Meet Saudi Women Prior to King’s Visit [Aug 6]
"A media team from Turkey interviewed yesterday a group of Saudi women at the Jeddah Literary Club ahead of an expected visit by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Turkey. The team, consisting of a crew from CNN and a journalist from Milliyat newspaper, has been in Jeddah for two days conducting interviews with various officials and is expected to interview the king today. The interviews will be aired during the king’s visit to Turkey, which begins on Tuesday.." [more]

The King Approves Salary Increase for Saudi Students Abroad [Aug 6]
"The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has approved the increase in the monthly salary for students studying abroad by 15 percent and the fixing of all their appropriations in a number of countries which have affected by fluctuations of Riyal exchange rate for other currencies.." [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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