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CNN News Now Available to STC Customers in Saudi Arabia [Aug 26]
"Info2cell.com, the leading Mobile Application Service Provider in the Middle East, has partnered with Turner Broadcasting System Europe Limited to deliver news content from CNN to mobile subscribers of STC Al Jawwal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.." [more]

High Oil Prices Unjustified, says Saudi [Aug 26]
"Saudi King Abdullah was quoted as saying high oil prices were unjustified because global markets were well supplied. The king also told Asharq Al Awsat newspaper in an interview that Saudi Arabia wanted moderate oil prices, despite the benefits it would reap from higher prices. 'The kingdom's oil policy is based on moderate prices and despite the benefits higher oil prices bring to us, we call for moderation in oil prices,'.." [more]

Health Insurance to Cover 7 Million Expats - KSA [Aug 26]
"The Saudi health minister said that seven million expatriates in the Kingdom would come under the cooperative health insurance scheme by the end of this year, Arab news reported. Health insurance has been made mandatory for expatriates working in the country who will require a certificate proving their membership in an insurance scheme to obtain or renew work-resident permits (iqamas). The minister commended the cooperation of major private companies in implementing the scheme.." [more]

Saudi Aramco Acquires Shareholding in Japan's Showa Shell [more]
"Saudi Aramco will acquire a 9.96% strategic shareholding in Showa Shell, a publicly traded Japanese refining and marketing company.. ..Saudi Aramco has also agreed in principle to acquire an additional 4.99% of Showa Shell from the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, subject to satisfaction of certain commercial conditions. This is an outcome of an accord signed recently by The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco). Under the accord, Saudi Aramco will expand its worldwide refining and marketing presence and ensure a continued reliable source of high quality refined petroleum products in Japan, one of Saudi Aramco's most important markets for crude.." [more]

First Female Architect Gets Office License [Aug 26]
"AZAH Al-Deghather has become the first Saudi woman architect in the Kingdom to get a license by the Saudi Engineering Association to open her own private engineering firm in Riyadh.. ..Moselli expects that the number of Saudi women engineers applying for the license will substantially increase in the near future. He stressed that there are no restrictions barring Saudi women architects from getting license to open their own offices.." [more]

Saudi Experiment With Dialogue Is Successful [Aug 26]
"Saudi Arabia's experiment with the national dialogue program has been successful and there is every reason to believe that the experiment can prove equally popular in other Arab and Islamic countries, said the former Kuwaiti ambassador to the Kingdom Jaber Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah.." [more]

Sino-Arab Friendship Trip [Aug 25]
"2006 marks 50 years of ties between China and several of the Arab countries. To strengthen cooperation and enhance exchange, Chinese citizens from all walks of life will hit the road - on an Arabian adventure. The team will set out by car from Beijing on October 23rd. They'll travel over forty thousand kilometers, and wind through 19 nations, like Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Cultural and business activities are planned at every stop. The team expects to return, full circle, by February next year.." [more]

Saudi Aid Consignment Handed Over to Indonesia [Aug 25]
"Saudi Charge D' Affairs in Indonesia Abdullah bin Mohammad Al-Ghamdi handed over here today seven saloon cars to President of The Indonesian Red Cross Society Dr. Mare'y Mohammad within the framework of the assistance provided by the Saudi government to the Asian Muslim country in the aftermath of an earthquake that has hit it recently.This is the first consignment. In addition, 10 fully-equipped ambulance cars will arrive soon.." [more]

Saudi Fleet of 42 Relief Trucks Arrives in Lebanon [Aug 25]
"A fleet of 42 trucks carrying medical equipment, medicines and nutritional products arrived today in Lebanon.The fleet of more than 800 tons of relief goods was received by Saudi Red Crescent Society Center in Beirut, which will supervise the distribution among the affected people and regions in cooperation with the concerned Lebanese authorities.." [more]

Saudis Become More Travel Conscious [Aug 25]
"Saudis have shown more inclination toward traveling abroad, inter-regional destinations being more popular, according to a survey conducted across the Kingdom. Some 82 percent of consumers surveyed in the Kingdom have already undertaken journeys or plan to travel during the rest of the year.." [more]

GCC Champions League Starts [Aug 25]
"Saudi clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Ittifaq wound up preparations and are ready to buckle down to work in the GCC Champions League, which starts in Riyadh today. The competition will run through Aug. 30. A total of 12 clubs representing the six Gulf countries will vie in the prestigious soccer event.." [more]

Saudi Militants Offered Surrender [Aug 24]
"Militants fighting to bring down the government of the world's top oil exporter will be spared if they surrender, Saudi Arabia's interior minister said in comments published on Thursday. Prince Nayef was speaking days after four militants surrendered as Saudi security forces besieged a building in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. Clashes with al Qaeda supporters over the last three years have often resulted in deaths.. ..Although the violent campaign has ebbed in the face of toughened security measures, Saudi Arabia has seen two prison break-outs this year that have raised concerns about security.." [more]

Saudi Arabia: 40 Relief Trucks Leave for Lebanon [Aug 24]
"A fleet of 40 trucks carrying medical equipment, medicines and nutritional products left Saudi Arabia for Lebanon, according to Acting President of the Saudi Red Crescent Society, Dr. Saleh bin Hamad Al-Tuwaijiri. In a press statement, Dr. Al-Tuwaijiri said that this is the third consignment of assistance from Saudi Arabia to Lebanon and it is carrying more than 800 tons of relief goods.." [more]

L&T Consortium Bags $150 Million Saudi Order [Aug 24]
"Larsen & Toubro (L&T) along with its consortium partner Haldor Topsoe AS of Denmark has been awarded an order worth around $ 150 million from Saudi Formaldehyde Chemical (SFCCL) in Saudi Arabia.." [more]

Ban on Sale of Pet Cats, Dogs [Aug 24]
"The Makkah governorate, acting on a request from the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has decided to prohibit the sale of pet cats and dogs. The commission made the request after it noticed many young Saudis going out in streets with their pet dogs in violation of the Kingdom’s culture and traditions.." [more]

Jeddah Shootout: Security Forces Identify 2 Militants [Aug 23]
"Two out of the four suspected militants who surrendered on Monday night after a 17-hour gun battle here were identified as Turki Al-Mutairi and Ghazi Al-Otaibi. The two men were among seven prisoners who escaped from a prison near Riyadh in July. An official source in the Interior Ministry said that the two arrested men are being questioned.." [more]

Saudi Investment in E-Government Tops SAR 3 Billion [Aug 23]
"The investment strategy employed by the Saudi Arabian Government, which added a further SAR 3 billion recently, will lay the foundations for the beginning of a comprehensive implementation of e-Government. Although the digital divide between the Middle East and developed nations still exists, the Kingdom is rapidly catching up. The next stage in their e-government implementation plan will be to launch a significant awareness campaign to encourage the general public to embrace e-governance.." [more]

Saudi Signs Engineering Deals for New Refineries [Aug 23]
"Saudi Aramco has signed deals for engineering work for two new 400,000 barrel-per-day refineries in Saudi Arabia, the state oil firm said on Wednesday.. ..The full-conversion refineries, estimated to cost around $6 billion each, are scheduled for completion in 2011 and are each designed to process 400,000 bpd of Arab Heavy crude.." [more]

Medical Education Focus of New University City [Aug 23]
"A so called University City that focuses on integrated medical education for the Saudi youth is now being built by King Faisal University (KFU) in a two million square meters prime location at the coastal area in Dammam.. ..'The increasing number of Saudi youth interested in medical education is the motivating factor for the University City to envision and construct the facility,' said Abdulaziz Jamal Al-Saati, vice president of KFU.." [more]

Security-Related Imports to Rise 13 Percent [Aug 23]
"With liquid explosives raising new security concerns everywhere, including the Kingdom, security expenditure will account for a bigger share in terms of government spending.. ..The security market in the Gulf region is estimated at over $500 million, of which the banking sector accounts for more than 25 percent of this market. Government, industrial, retail, residential and commercial sectors make up the rest. In the Kingdom alone, the total market size for the industrial and safety sector as well as the fire security sector is estimated to be more than $250 million.." [more]

Export of SR300m Worth of Electronic Goods Likely [Aug 23]
"Market experts estimate that the electrical and electronic industry in the Kingdom will export SR300 million worth of 350,000 pieces of locally manufactured electronic devices by the end of the next financial year. The destinations of the Saudi goods will be the Gulf and Arab countries and Turkey. The made-in-Saudi Arabia products are expected to have a 40 percent increase in the local markets followed by 30 percent increase in the Gulf markets and a seven percent increase in Turkey.." [more]

Militants Surrender After Shootout [Aug 22]
"Four suspected militants surrendered to Saudi security forces in the Red Sea city of Jeddah today after police laid siege to a building in which they were hiding, the interior ministry spokesman said. 'The operation ended with the surrender of the four gunmen, who had been chased by security forces and took shelter in a building,' General Mansur al-Turki said. There were no casualties on either side, he said.." [more]

Govt Firm on Armed Forces’ Modernization [Aug 22]
"The Council of Ministers yesterday emphasized the government’s plan to strengthen the Kingdom’s armed forces by acquiring modern technology and weapons, including the highly capable Eurofighter Typhoon jets.. ..As part of the new military development program, the crown prince said Saudis would be trained in operation, maintenance and modernization. The British Ministry of Defense said Friday it had endorsed the Typhoon deal. The purchase is being carried out to replace British-made Tornados and other jets.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Signs for Refinery [Aug 22]
"Saudi Aramco and Total have signed a comprehensive memorandum of understanding (MOU) related to the planned development of a 400000 barrel per day world-class, full-conversion refinery in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The proposed refinery will be designed to process Arabian heavy crude and will produce high-quality refined products that meet current and future product specifications. The project is currently scheduled to start up in 2011.." [more]

Prince Fahd Ibn Saud Dies [Aug 22]
"Prince Fahd ibn Saud ibn Abdul Aziz died yesterday at the age of 77 after a prolonged illness, the Royal Court announced. Funeral prayers for the late prince will be held at Imam Turki ibn Abdullah Mosque in Riyad.." [more]

Doing Business in Saudi [Aug 22]
"Global Market Briefings has released the third edition of Doing Business with Saudi Arabia. The book appraises the current economic and investment climate, provides a review of market potential in the key sectors, and gives 'best practice' advice on aspects of commercial engagement with the kingdom.." [more]

New Group Will Protect Vulnerable Saudis [Aug 22]
"A study is being conducted to establish a society for social protection in Saudi Arabia, similar to the government's Human Rights Commission launched last year. The foundation of the society comes as part of the government's efforts to handle the problem of family violence in the kingdom.. ..one of the major objectives of the society is to protect children, women, people with special needs and the elderly from physical violence and sexual assault.." [more]

Saudi Police and Militants Clash [Aug 21]
"Saudi Arabian security forces have surrounded a building holding suspected militants in the west coast city of Jeddah, Saudi's commercial capital. There have been exchanges of fire in the al-Jamea area of the city. The suspected militants took refuge in the building after being chased by police, interior ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki said.." [more]

Blue Chips Drag Saudi Stocks Down [Aug 21]
"Blue chips dragged the Saudi stock market index to a lower close yesterday but small cap shares dominated the session. The all-share index (SASI) of the largest Arab bourse fell 1.23 per cent, to 11,506.57 points on turnover of 22.4bn riyals, down 10 per cent from Saturday. Decliners led advancers 60-17. Most of the turnover came from so called speculative stocks, highly liquid shares in small companies that are often targeted by day traders and large speculators who dominate the market.." [more]

Schools Compete for Thousands of Saudi Students [Aug 21]
"This semester, the central Kansas agricultural powerhouse was also preparing for its first-ever celebration of Ramadan to welcome the newest members of its student body: 150 students from Saudi Arabia. This school year, college towns from Florida to Oregon will host an estimated 15,000 new Saudi students, nearly all of whom have full scholarships paid for by the Kingdom's royal family. They're part of a new exchange program brokered by President Bush and Saudi King Abdullah last year that will soon quintuple the number of Saudi students studying in the United States.." [more]

Saudi to Delay New Telecom Licenses [Aug 21]
"Saudi Arabia's telecoms regulator has decided to delay until 2007 plans to end the monopoly on fixed-line services and issue a third mobile phone license.. ..The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) had said earlier that it planned to issue one fixed line license and one mobile phone license by the end of this year.." [more]

Competition for Saudi Airline Licenses Heats Up [Aug 21]
"Six companies are vying for two licenses to start commercial air services in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom announced last week.. ..The government, which recently liberalized the aviation sector, plans to select two winners by the end of the year, according to an authority spokesperson. The authority originally set a deadline of July 30 for proposals and later extended it to August 13.." [more]

Municipalities Open Doors to Foreign Investors [Aug 21]
"Minister of Municipalities and Rural Affairs Prince Miteb Bin Abdul Aziz handed down a new foreign investment friendly mandate.. ..Foreign investors registered through the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) can now open and run retail outlets, on the condition that foreign capital does not exceed 51 percent today and up to 75 percent in three years time. Companies registered through SAGIA.." [more]

Shoura Chief Wants Bush Apology [Aug 21]
"Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid yesterday called for a public apology from US President George W. Bush for linking Islam and Muslims with fascism and terrorism.. ..Bush’s use of the term “Islamic fascists” was also criticized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Washington-based Muslim advocacy group.." [more]

Saudi Stock Prices Affect Funds [Aug 20]
"The value of investment funds in Saudi Arabia plunged by more than 20% in Q2 as the local stock market slumped.. ..The value of funds dropped to $29.1bn, a 21% decrease.." [more]

Saudi Lifts Ban on Scrap Metal Exports [Aug 20]
"Saudi Arabia has lifted a 16-year ban on exports of scrap metal in compliance with World Trade Organisation regulations. The measure was drafted in March after the kingdom joined the WTO in December. The move is set to raise the country's imports of steel.. ..The move is also expected to hit costs for real estate developers. Construction uses the bulk of annual steel consumption estimated at 5.5 million tonnes. The country produces around 3.75m tonnes of steel.." [more]

Saudi to Bank on Record Oil Windfalls [Aug 20]
"Saudi Arabia is on track to reap record oil revenues this year, according to a report released by the Kingdom’s Samba bank. The forecast estimated that the country is set to take US$203bn in oil export earnings this year, an all-time record.. ..Underlying the strength of the oil market is continued global economic growth and demand for crude oil, as well as global concerns that oil production could be disrupted.." [more]

$7bn Kingdom Coming to Market [Aug 20]
"One of the world’s richest men, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, is moving closer to a $7 billion flotation of his main investment vehicle, Kingdom Holding Company. Alwaleed, a member of the Saudi royal family, is thought to be working with Citigroup, the American investment bank, and Samba, the Saudi Arabian institution. They will be the lead advisers to the listing, which is expected to take place in the next two to three months.." [more]

Many Global Firms Likely to Attend EEC Meet [Aug 20]
"Many international companies are expected to attend a major conference early next year to be organized by Emaar Economic City (EEC), a consortium led by Emaar Properties, to promote investment in the SR100 billion King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), the largest single private sector project in the Kingdom. Informed market sources said a number of consortiums comprising Saudi and international companies would vie for contracts to carry out various projects in the city, especially in technological and petrochemical sectors.." [more]

Municipal Ministry to Hire Women Engineers [Aug 20]
"The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs is hiring Saudi women engineers.. ..The ministry took the decision when officials reviewing a ministry survey noticed an increase in the number of Saudi women engineers working in administrative jobs irrelevant to their specializations, depriving the ministry of significant experience and expertise. Asked whether those women will participate in city planning work, a source at the ministry said the ministry will involve them in the technical aspects and seek their opinion and advice.." [more]

Morality Is the Basis of Saudi Tourism [Aug 20]
"Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, emphasized SCT’s determination to promote morality-based tourism in the Kingdom.. ..Prince Sultan said morality-based tourism was increasingly becoming popular around the world. “Morality is the basis of Saudi tourism and we will follow the teachings of Shariah while promoting this industry,” he said.." [more]

Saudia to Ban Liquids on Flights to UK, US [Aug 20]
"Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) plans to ban liquids on board its aircraft, according to official airline sources. The proposal was made last week by the airline’s Safety and Security Administration and an announcement is expected within the next few days concerning items not allowed in carry-on baggage and also when the new rules will be implemented.." [more]

Irresponsible Statements Fueling Radicalism: WAMY [Aug 20]
"US President George W. Bush’s recent usage of the term 'Islamic fascists' and other remarks made by White House officials are encouraging extremism, said Dr. Saleh Al-Wohaibi, secretary-general of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY).. ..Al-Wohaibi described Bush’s remarks as being unhelpful and said they were instrumental in creating problems for a pan-Islamic organization such as WAMY, which is trying to fight extremism among the youth. 'They make our task difficult'.." [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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