Saudi-US Relations Information Service

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Saudi King: Spreading Shiism Won't Work [Jan 27]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah said in an interview published Saturday that attempts to convert Muslim Sunnis to the Shiite branch of Islam will not succeed, and that Sunnis would always make up the majority of the world Muslims. Although Abdullah did not mention Iran by name, his comments _ rare for the Sunni monarch _ appeared aimed at easing Arab concerns over the Persian Shiite nation's growing influence in the Middle East. Arab media have claimed that Iran seeks to spread Shiism among the region's predominantly Sunni Arab countries as a way of increasing Tehran's political power.." [more]

Sabic Plans Move Into Specialty Chemicals [Jan 27]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp., the world's biggest chemicals maker by market value, will start making specialty products in a bid to compete with European rivals like BASF AG and reduce vulnerability to price swings.. ..Petrochemical makers in the Middle East are expanding as they benefit from abundant raw materials, such as natural gas, and rising global demand for plastics, solvents and polymers. Saudi Basic, known as Sabic, this month completed a $685 million purchase of Huntsman Corp.'s U.K. units, gaining plants that make ethylene, benzene and related chemicals for European markets.." [more]

Saudi Arabia May Lower Spending to Contain Inflation [Jan 27]
"Saudi Arabia, the largest Arab economy, may cut government spending rather than revalue the currency to help slow inflation, the country’s finance minister said. 'Other tools are more effectiveî than changing the riyal’s peg to the dollar', said Ibrahim Abdel Aziz al-Assaf yesterday in an interview in Davos, Switzerland. 'If there is a need, then we’ll hold back on expenditure.' Inflation in Saudi Arabia, which accelerated to an annual 2.7% in October from an annual 0.7% in December 2005, according to Bloomberg calculations, is 'low by international standards, but we have to be watchful about increasing inflationary pressures,'.." [more]

Top 20 Businesswomen Supplement Coming [Jan 27]
"The first ever newspaper supplement focusing exclusively on Saudi businesswomen was signed into existence last week. The supplement, to be published annually, echoes the well-established Arab News Top 100 Saudi Companies annual supplement that ranks the performance of Saudi business as a whole. 'This is a real step forward in commercial publishing,' Arab News Editor in Chief Khaled Almaeena said .." [more]

CMA Decision Weighs Heavily on Saudi Stocks [Jan 27]
"The Saudi stock market continued to drop further last week. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) shed another 3.16 percent last week, falling below the 7,000-point psychological barrier.. ..The Riyadh-based Bakheet Financial Advisors (BFA) said in their weekly report that the market had come under pressure from a decision by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) to suspend trading of Anaam International Holding Group Co. shares as of Jan. 20. The CMA said the firm had accumulated losses amounting to 95 percent of its capital.." [more]

Varsities to Focus on Job Market Needs [Jan 27]
"Saudi universities will focus on developing skills such as English-language proficiency required by the market, according to Higher Education Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Anqari. 'Proficiency in English language is one of the basic skills required by Saudis in order to compete in the job market,' the minister said, admitting that Saudi universities were lagging behind in English.. ..Anqari said Saudi universities are thinking of expanding student exchange programs with the support of other world universities by concluding bilateral agreements.." [more]

Saudi Arabia , China to Boost Cooperation in Oil Sector [Jan 26]
"Saudi Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi met here yesterday with Maa Kai, president of China's National Development and Reform Commission, to discuss increasing cooperation between Saudi Arabia and China in the field of oil.. ..Naimi said the Chinese imports of Saudi oil amounted to 470,000 barrels per day with an increase of 7 percent over 2005. These imports accounted for more than 16 percent of China's need of imported oil. He also expected Chinese imports of Saudi oil would continue to increase in the coming years.." [more]

Saudi Seeks to Make Tadawul a Close Shareholding Company [Jan 26]
"The Saudi Ministry of Commerce and Industry is seeking a royal decree to licence the establishment of the Saudi Capital Market — Tadawul — as a close shareholding company after completion of the procedures required by the ministry.. ..Experts have welcomed the decision as the right one under the circumstances. They say that this was significantly having a negative impact on the performance of the stock market as a whole through the loss of capital and high speculation increasing the risk premiums of volatility and uncertainty in the whole market. The decision will make the stock market healthier and regain confidence of the people dealing in stocks.." [more]

PSA Celebrates Historic Million Dollar Saudi Agreement [Jan 26]
"The Professional Squash Association has finalized a record agreement in professional squash worth more than one million US dollars in Saudi Arabia. The deal, according to PSA media release, has come just over a week after announcing a major three-year agreement in Kuwait.." [more]

Experts Lambast Universities' Curriculum [Jan 26]
"Saudi experts and academicians have harshly criticised the education curriculum at Saudi universities. They noted that the curriculum is full of knowledge-related subjects but failed to enrich the students intellectually and culturally.. ..Performance of Saudi universities also came under attack recently by a number of columnists in the local press following the release of a global rating of world universities. The ranking has put Saudi universities at the bottom of the list, a matter that sparked a debate among Saudi academics who called for urgent reform in the education system.." [more]

Gulf States Likely to Shift Assets Away From US [Jan 26]
"..Middle Eastern countries have been scaling back their once near full reliance on US assets in recent years to cut risks and improve returns as they diversify the massive windfall from oil and gas revenues. 'Regionally there is less evidence of enthusiasm to be the major owner of US assets. It doesn't mean U investments will go away but you will find governments and agencies looking at a wider range of opportunities,' Phillip Thorpe, chairman and chief executive officer of Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority, said.." [more]

Harvard Inaugurates Alwaleed Program [Jan 26]
"The Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Islamic Studies Program at Harvard University was inaugurated recently. The program, established with a $20-million gift from Prince Alwaleed in 2005, is aimed at building on Harvard’s commitment to religious studies. It will also augment Harvard’s existing strength by increasing the number of faculty members focused on Islamic studies, providing additional support to graduate students and digitizing rare Islamic texts.." [more]

U.S. Opposes Iranian, Saudi Meddling in Crisis [Jan 25]
"The United States yesterday criticized Iranian overtures to Saudi Arabia suggesting the two countries cooperate to resolve a political crisis between the Lebanese government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora and the Shi'ite group Hezbollah.. ..'We certainly wouldn't support any effort to try to negotiate something over and above the heads of the Siniora government,' State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.." [more]

Saudi Princess, at Davos Forum, Says: 'I'd Let Women Drive' [Jan 25]
"The most prominent princess in Saudi Arabia's royal family said Thursday that if she could change one thing about her country, she would let women drive a rare and direct challenge against the driving ban imposed by the kingdom's ruling male elite.. ..the daughter of a former Saudi king and sister of the country's current foreign minister, came during a session at the World Economic Forum's annual meeting a forum known for getting world leaders to engage in frank, often off-the-record dialogue without fear of being criticized.." [more]

Saudi Arabia, U.S. Lead Donors Raising Lebanon Aid [Jan 25]
" Saudi Arabia, the U.S. and France lead donors pledging a total of $7.6 billion in new funds to help rebuild Lebanon and lend support to Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's government.. ..The aid conference, called to help Lebanon rebuild after Israel's war on its Shiite Muslim Hezbollah militia last July and August, comes after Hezbollah organized strikes and protests in Beirut two days ago, in which three people died and at least 100 were injured. Hezbollah has been trying to topple Siniora, a Sunni Muslim who is backed by the U.S. and its allies. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, speaking alongside Siniora, indicated that aid will remain conditional on Lebanese policy, whoever is in power.." [more]

Rights Group Urges Saudis to Stop Ahmadi Arrests [Jan 25]
"US -based Human Rights Watch has said Saudi Arabia was arresting and deporting Ahmadi Muslims on the basis of their religious beliefs and urged it to stop. The group, which wrote a letter to Saudi King Abdullah, said that the Saudi government had arrested 56 non-Saudi followers of the Ahmadiya movement, including babies and children, and deported at least eight to India and Pakistan without charging them with a crime. The Ahmadiyya movement defines itself as Muslim but is not recognized by some mainstream Muslim groups because of its divergent beliefs.." [more]

Saudi Stock Index Falls Below 7,000 [Jan 25]
"The Saudi stock market failed to gain positive momentum from the announcements of financial results of listed companies. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) plunged below the 7,000 points mark for the first time in more than two years. The index tumbled 168.56 points or 2.36 percent yesterday to close at 6,987.86 points, its lowest close since Oct. 21, 2004. The index is already down 11.92 percent or 945.43 points so far this year after closing at 7,933.29 on Dec. 31, 2006.." [more]

Better Homes Drives Business in Region [Jan 25]
"As the region's economy continues to boom, big name businesses like Virgin, Adidas, Benetton, Sicily, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Boots are finding their way to the Middle East and Asia with the help of Better Homes, the region's biggest realtor. Last year (2006) saw Better Homes' Commercial division enjoy record highs as a flood of businesses from around the world sought entry to the region.. ..In Saudi, Virgin, one of the world's fastest growing brands has leased its first Megastore - courtesy of Better Homes. The shop at Roshana Mall in Jeddah is located on Tahlia Street, one of the most prestigious commercial areas in Saudi and is the first of many the company plans to open in the Kingdom.." [more]

6,000kg of Narcotics Seized [Jan 25]
"More than 6,000 kg of narcotics were seized by the Saudi border patrol in the eastern province, according to the annual statistics report for 2006. The report shows that 471 infiltrators who managed to cross into the kingdom illegally were caught and 31 hashish smugglers arrested while trying to smuggle in the drugs.." [more]

Saudis Issue 1,389 Project Licences in 2006 [Jan 25]
"The value of licences issued by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (Sagia) in 2006 increased 25 per cent over the previous year, according to press reports. Sagia licensed 1,389 joint and foreign investment projects last year, worth a total of 253 billion Saudi riyals. Sagia, the gateway to investment in Saudi Arabia, was established by the government in 2000, part of a new foreign investment law.. ..This year Sagia will prepare specialised economic reports for each region to highlight investment opportunities.." [more]

Saudi Oil Minister May Meet With China's Energy Officials [Jan 25]
"Saudi Arabia's oil minister Ali Naimi may hold talks with senior Chinese energy officials Thursday, but
China's government declined to confirm any such meeting. The Saudi minister is also expected to meet with senior officials of China's top energy companies, and negotiations may center on the building of two key refineries on China's eastern coastline. Saudi Arabia is also expected to engage in further talks on joint efforts with the Chinese to build China's strategic oil reserves. According to an industry person, who declined to be named, Naimi will meet with several officials from the energy bureau of the National Development and Reform Commission - the country's top economic planning agency.." [more]

Outgoing Saudi Ambassador to Give First 2007 Landon Lecture [Jan 25]
"The outgoing ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the United States will present the first 2007 Landon Lecture Friday. Appointed ambassador on July 20, 2005, Prince Turki al-Faisal is the 147th lecturer in the lecture series' 40-year history.. ..Michael Suleiman, distinguished professor of political science, said Prince Turki's comments on Middle East politics are important since Saudi Arabian relations influence the United States and the Middle East region.." [more]

Saudi Foreign Minister Warns Against Partitioning Iraq [Jan 24]
"The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, warned against partitioning Iraq along sectarian lines and told Iran not to 'meddle' in Arab affairs. 'For Saudi Arabia, a partition of Iraq is inconceivable. It is essential to avoid it'.. ..With sectarian violence raging in Iraq, many now talk openly of partition along sectarian lines, which would end U.S. hopes of promoting a unified, democratic Iraq.." [more]

US Will Need Mideast Oil for Years - Saudi Envoy [Jan 24]
"..US policymakers should be talking about interdependence with Middle East suppliers, not independence, said Prince Turki Al Faisal, the kingdom's US ambassador, speaking at George Washington University.. ..The United States and other nations "will remain in need of the resources of our part of the world in the energy sector for many years to come and that is something that your people should realise," he said.." [more]

New Saudi Construction Firm Formed Amid Strong Demand [Jan 24]
"Amid a record growth in the Kingdom's construction industry as well as in the rest of the Gulf region, a new Saudi closed joint stock construction company was unveiled here yesterday. Construction Products Holding Company (CPC), with a capital of SR107 million, is 49 percent owned by the Bin Laden Group and the rest shared by another group of Saudi businessmen. The capital is divided into 10,700,000 shares, valued at SR10 per share.. ..According to real estate companies' statistics, the number of housing units will double to exceed 9 million units within the next 20 years. In line with population growth, the government and the private sector are trying to meet such demands.." [more]

Saudi Loan Defaults Up on Stock Losses [Jan 24]
"Loan defaults increased over losses incurred in the Saudi stock market, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf said during a press conference here recently. 'The rate of defaults to the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF), a major source of real-estate financing in the Kingdom, exceeded 30 percent in 2004,'.. ..The defaults, he said, led to the decrease in the issuance of new loans. "The current sources of loans for real estate financing are insufficient to meet the increasing demand for housing," the minister observed.." [more]

Northern Cyprus Seeks Strong Relations With Saudi Arabia [Jan 24]
"Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which holds an observer status in the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), seeks to establish stronger political and business relations with Saudi Arabia according toDr. Turgay Avci, deputy prime minister and foreign minister.. ..'We would like to establish a representative office in Riyadh and a trade and tourism office in Jeddah very soon,' the deputy premier said while talking to reporters after a meeting with Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali, president of the Islamic Development Bank and Saudi entrepreneurs in Jeddah yesterday. Avci said he would visit the Kingdom again next month to attend the Jeddah Economic Forum and establish contacts with Saudi authorities.." [more]

Arab League's Moussa Warns U.S. Against Iran Attack [Jan 24]
" The threat of a U.S. attack on Iran is very serious and would risk spreading sectarian violence throughout the Middle East, Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa said on Wednesday. 'It's a 50/50 proposition, and we hope that it won't happen. Attacking Iran would be counterproductive'.. ..His concern over an looming U.S.-Iran confrontation was shared by business leaders and political commentators at an opening session on the Middle East at the Forum, an annual gathering of the world's rich and powerful.." [more]

Saudi Won't Take Sides in Iraq [Jan 23]
"Saudi Arabia will not take sides in Iraq's sectarian violence and support its Sunni brethren even if US
troops quickly leave the country, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US said. 'We'll keep an equal distance from all Iraqi factions'.. ..He denied a New York Times story published last month that said Saudi King Abdullah told visiting US Vice-President Dick Cheney that the Saudis might back Iraqi's minority Sunni population over the majority Shi'ites if fighting continued between the two groups after any US troop withdrawal.." [more]

TWC Gets Green Light to Run Wholly-Owned Subsidiary in Saudi [Jan 23]
"Mainboard-listed Tiong Woon Corporation (TWC) has become the first Singapore company to get a licence to run a 100% foreign-owned business entity in Saudi Arabia. The oil and gas services provider rents out construction cranes and puts together heavy equipment on site. And it is planning to use Saudi Arabia as a entry point into the Gulf region.." [more]

Six Jailed Over Saudi Play Attack [Jan 23]
"Six Saudis have reportedly been jailed in connection with an attack on actors taking part in a play critical of hardline religious attitudes. Reports from Riyadh say one person was sentenced to two months in jail, while five others received shorter sentences.. ..The play, in a cultural festival last November, had to be abandoned after Islamists stormed the theatre.." [more]

Saudi Obesity Alarm [Jan 23]
"A health study has found that 45% of Saudi women and 23.5% of Saudi men are obese, Arab News reported. The joint research by the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center and the Ministry of Health measured the body mass index of 5,000 men and women across the kingdom. Hail was found to be the 'fattest city', with 34% of its population considered obese.." [more]

Saudi Women Being Encouraged to Open their Own Businesses [Jan 23]
"Saudi women, who have no registered business but have the acumen, can now open their own enterprises with the support of local chambers of commerce and industry.. ..'When a Saudi woman entrepreneur is successful in creating a business or enterprise of her own, the chamber will provide her all the support in terms of more training to operate and manage business and guide her on getting finance,' the EPCCI official said. Women should not only be working in lingerie shops, but should be encouraged to become entrepreneurs.." [more]

$55 Opec Basket Price Reasonable [Jan 23]
"A reasonable price for Opec's crude basket is $55 a barrel, Opec's president said, at least $5 higher than the reference price now stands. Mohammed Al Hamli, also oil minister of the UAE, said Opec ministers were not "panicking" over oil's 13 per cent plunge since the start of the year, but prices should be high enough to protect investment in new projects.. ..Opec's reference basket, valued about $5 to $6 below US crude, was $49.63 on Monday.." [more]

Abdullah Calls for Reforms, Development [Jan 23]
"King Abdullah yesterday urged Muslim countries to continue their reform and development programs in order to promote the progress and prosperity of their citizens.. ..Abdullah reminded Muslims of their role in spreading the values of justice and love all over the world. 'Brotherhood, mercy and tolerance are the hallmarks of Islam,' he said, while lamenting the suffering of people in some parts of the Islamic world as a result of wars, catastrophes and internal conflicts.." [more]

S. Korea Seeks Stable Saudi Oil Supply [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia's oil minister has Monday pledged a stable crude and oil supply for South Korea, Seoul officials said. During a meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, Saudi Oil Minister Ali Al-Naimi said he would do "his best to maintain stability in his country's energy supply for South Korea, as well as in international markets," Roh's office in Seoul said in a statement. Al-Naimi also called for South Korea to make more investment in the Gulf country, saying his country is seeking industrial diversification.." [more]

Saudi Stock Market Struggling as Small Cap Firms Extend Losses [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia's stock index struggled to close in positive territory yesterday after small caps extended
losses on fears that the bourse regulator would widen its suspension of loss-making stocks.. ..The Riyadh index, benchmark of the Arab world’s largest stock market, closed at 7,163.83 points, up 0.28%. Al-Rajhi Banking & Investment Corp, Saudi Arabia’s largest lender by market value, rose 1.52% ahead of the bank’s announcement after market hours that its fourth-quarter net profits rose 19.5%.." [more]

High-Profile Personalities in Saudi Delegation to WEF [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia will be represented at the five-day annual World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland by a number of high-profile government and business leaders, academics and media personalities.. .. the Saudi delegation includes Minister of State Abdullah Zainal Alireza; Saudi Basic Industries Corp. CEO and Vice Chairman Mohamed Al-Mady; Effat College Board of Trustees Vice Chair Princess Lolwah Al-Faisal.." [more]

Saudi Arabia to Study NATO Proposal [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia yesterday said it would study a NATO proposal to join four other GCC countries in the NATO's Istanbul Summit Communiqué, but said that there must be a complete understanding of its regional goals and agendas. 'The Kingdom will study the proposal submitted by NATO to join the Istanbul Summit,' said Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday. The symposium, 'NATO and the GCC: Cooperation Within the Framework of the Istanbul Summit,' was opened by Prince Saud.." [more]

OPEC Dumps $10.1 Billion of Treasuries as Oil Tumbles [Jan 22]
"OPEC nations are unloading Treasuries at the fastest pace in more than three years as crude oil prices tumble, sending bond yields higher. Exporters including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, sold 9.4 percent, or $10.1 billion, of their U.S. government debt securities in the three months ended in November, according to Treasury Department data. Members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last sold Treasuries for three straight months in June 2003.." [more]

Cooperation Needed for Peace in Mideast [Jan 22]
"A Saudi minister has described the Middle East as the most tumultuous region in the world due to the
deterioration of security in Palestine and Iraq and neighbouring Afghanistan and Somalia.. ..Prince Saud noted that extremist ideologies are growing due to the failure of the international community to settle chronic disputes within the basis of international legitimacy.." [more]

Labor Minister Responds to Conditions Imposed by Manila [Jan 22]
"..Manila-based Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) imposed new conditions on recruitment of Filipino domestic workers and raised the housemaids’ monthly salary to SR1,500 from the present SR700. Saudi sponsor alone can decide and fix the minimum salary based on the wage fluctuations while employing foreign laborers, Al-Gosaibi said. 'The Saudi labor market is open and Saudi employers are free to recruit foreign workers from any country they wished'.." [more]

Foreigners Can Invest in Hospitals [Jan 22]
"Foreigners can now invest in hospitals provided the number of beds should be at least 150, reported Al-Madina Arabic language daily Sunday. Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Mane’ issued directives in this regard meant to expand the existing health care facilities. Investors can apply for license to the Medical Licenses Administration, but the ministry remains the overall authority.." [more]

Artificial Rains Project to Address Water Shortage [Jan 22]
"Saudi Arabia will expand its artificial rain program to cover all parts of the country in order to meet growing need for water for its increasing population as well as for agricultural and industrial purposes, according to Dr. Ahmed Ashour, the program’s general supervisor.. ..Ashour said the official launch of the program would take place after six months. A team of 60 Saudi and American experts has been working on the project since last October, Ashour said, adding that the studies conducted by the team were encouraging.." [more]

UK Trade Delegation Takes to the Rails [Jan 22]
"..The UK’s first Railway Sector Mission to Saudi Arabia is underway through Tuesday. The Mission was arranged by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in association with the Railway Industry Association (RIA).. ..The members of the trade delegation are in Saudi Arabia in order to give select UK companies the opportunity to present their knowledge and experience to decision makers within the Saudi Arabian railway industry. The mission members will also gain an insight into the key railway projects being undertaken in the Kingdom.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Underscores In-Depth Cooperation With NATO [Jan 21]
"Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal inaugurated here on Sunday a seminar entitled "NATO-GCC Cooperation Within the Framework of Istanbul Initiative" praising the approach of the regional states to broaden cooperation with the Western alliance.. ..Prince Saud said the Middle East is one of the regions in the world that is characterized by turmoil. He called for effective international cooperation to bring about stability in the region, according to official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).." [more]

Businesswomen From US Eyeing Investment in the Saudi Arabia [Jan 21]
" A group of American businesswomen under the sponsorship of the Global Women's Foundation (GWF) yesterday discussed investment opportunities and joint business ventures in the Kingdom with their Saudi counterparts in a meeting held at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).. ..The American businesswomen sought opportunities in the financial, industry and tourism sectors.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Banks Invest 13.4b Riyals in Properties [Jan 21]
"Saudi banks pumped 13.4 billion Saudi riyals into real estate projects in the Kingdom during the first half of 2006.. ..The Saudi government is already working to push the real estate sector ahead. Earlier it announced it would raise the capital of the Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) by nine billion riyals (Dh8.8 billion), effective the beginning of 2006. The move boosted REDF's capital to 92 billion riyals. The increasing population growth rate, coupled with strong demand for housing units in Saudi Arabia, are forcing companies to find other tools for financing the real estate sector, aside from government.." [more]

Algeria says Saudi Opposition Rules Out OPEC Meet [Jan 21]
"OPEC will not hold an emergency meeting to shore up sagging oil prices with further output cuts because of Saudi opposition to the move, Algeria's Energy and Mines Minister Chakib Khelil told state radio on Sunday. Any attempt by OPEC to cut output further without Saudi participation would lack credibility as the kingdom contributes the largest single portion of output cuts, Khelil added.. ..Khelil said: 'There has been practically a decision not to meet before March 15... We should therefore wait until March 15 for OPEC to be able to review the market situation and take any decisions.' 'A reduction without Saudi Arabia will not have the expected impact as it won't have credibility'.." [more]

GCC to Hold Talks With Nuke Watchdog [Jan 21]
"Gulf states plan to hold talks with the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, over their plans for a regional nuclear programme, a top Gulf official said in remarks published on Saturday.. ..At a summit in Riyadh last month, Gulf leaders outlined plans for a joint programme for the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. But the Gulf states have denied their desire for nuclear development is a result of Iran's atomic programme.." [more]

Beyond the Veil [Jan 21]
"Three prize-winning movie producers from New York are in the Kingdom in an attempt to understand what it is like to be a woman living in Saudi Arabia and to be a Saudi woman.. ..visiting various places in the Kingdom for the last eight days to do research for an independent feature film.. ..The planned film focuses on the struggle of an American woman to adapt to a lifestyle in an Islamic society. But the theme of the movie is perceptions and misunderstandings among characters, especially between an American feminist and her Saudi neighbor who wears the veil willingly, said Stern.." [more]

SAGIA Inks MoU with Singapore Company [Jan 21]
"In a bid to further create a pro-business environment, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jurong International, with the latter providing consultancy and advisory services toward the successful development and implementation of the Economic Cities and related developments in specific industries identified by SAGIA.. ..This collaboration will kickstart a strategic cooperation between the parties, which is the result of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to the Kingdom in November last year.. ..Saudi Arabia was Singapore’s 14th largest trading partner in 2005, with total bilateral trade at a staggering S$15.6 billion.." [more]

Saudi-Pak Summit Talks Today [Jan 21]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will hold talks with Pakistani President Gen. Pervez
Musharraf in Riyadh today on major regional and international issues and ways of strengthening bilateral ties.. ..Musharraf is here on the first leg of a five-nation Arab tour, which will also take him to Egypt, Jordan, Syria and the United Arab Emirates. Speaking to reporters in Islamabad before his departure, Musharraf said the main objective of his current Arab tour was to explore possibilities of adopting new initiatives to resolve the Palestine dispute.." [more]

New Policy for Recruitment [Jan 21]
" Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi said yesterday that his ministry intends to implement a new policy where companies would have to prove that they are financially viable before recruiting workers from abroad.. .. the minister said that the guarantee of payment of salaries to foreign workers was a top priority for the ministry. On his part, Prince Salman warned yesterday against any superfluous recruitment of foreign guest workers. 'The import of foreign labor should not exceed the necessary requirement,' he told reporters. 'Young Saudi men and women should be given training opportunities to enter the job market'.." [more]

JEF Goes Interactive [Jan 21]
"The Jeddah Economic Forum (JEF) is to incorporate a sophisticated new technology as a key part of its proceedings this year. The instant feedback system will allow the audience to ask questions, feedback opinion and take part in instant polls to gauge opinion on topics brought up in the discussions and presentations. The move was in response to feedback to the organizers from attendees.. ..Two highly visible screens will display questions from the panelists or speakers to which they would like the audience respond during the 60-minute sessions.." [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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