Saudi-US Relations Information Service

Keeping Track - Recently on SUSRIS







Rollover image for info		Rollover image for info

Naif to Address Shoura Sunday [Jun 30]
"Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, is scheduled to address the Shoura Council on terrorism on Sunday. Council members expect the speech to focus on the financing and recruitment schemes terrorists commonly use to attract young Saudis to their folds. Shoura Council members stressed the importance of the meeting. Combating terrorism is not only responsibility of the Ministry of Interior, but an obligation of every citizen. All segments of our society join hands, Shoura members said. According to Shoura member Shebailly Bin Magdoae, Prince Naif's visit sends a specific message: 'It shows how he gives importance to security issues facing our country.'.." [more]

Saudi Arabia's Portal Market to Grow 40% This Year [Jun 30]
"Expenditure on cost-saving online work processes has rocketed to more than $58 million per year in Saudi Arabia as more government and non-government departments become aware of the value of electronic portals.. ..Interactive Saudi Arabia's President said that the growth has been remarkable and largely driven by an educational process to better inform them of the benefits. He added that contract growth is expected to reach 40 percent this year in comparison to last year.." [more]

Court Summons 2 Commission Members [Jun 30]
"Two members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have been asked to appear before the Court of Grievances in Riyadh Sunday in connection with an alleged abduction case of three women three years ago. The first hearing was postponed last month because Commission representatives did not turn up in the court.. ..Recently Commission field workers have come under criticism for their heavy-handedness. Three members are facing trial in Tabuk in connection with an alleged custodial death of a Saudi national. Probe into the death of a Saudi national in a Commission branch in Riyadh has implicated one member.." [more]

SR22m Allocated for Research Projects [Jun 30]
"The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) will spend SR22 million on 28 research projects in the first phase of its annual scholarship program, and provide funds for a project in the second development research scholarship program. Details of the allocation of funds were disclosed here by Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulali, supervisor of the research scholarship program, who said that one of the highlights of the program is the allocation of SR324,000 to support projects relating to invention in key sectors such as water, petrochemicals, electronics, genetic engineering and high technology.." [more]

Investors Keep Eye on Mid-Year Results [Jun 30]
"The Saudi stock market was relatively stable last week after a plunge that continued for the past few weeks. The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) fell slightly last week, closing at 7,011.16 points down from 7,022.05 points previous week. The index lost over 100 points on Wednesday. TASI is currently 11.62 percent lower that the year’s start. 'While investors are eying the corporate results which are expected to be out within the next few days, we believe that the midyear results particularly of blue chips will represent the driving force that decides the trend of market,'.." [more]

Saudi King Snubs Abbas [Jun 29]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah has skipped a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on a visit to Jordan, Al Jazeera reported on Friday. Abbas was reportedly kept waiting at a palace room for a telephone call that never came. Al Jazeera said the move appeared "deliberate". The move comes days after Abbas dissolved the unity government set up under the Saudi deal and accused Hamas of attempting to assassinate him.. ..The official said Abbas would meet Abdullah in Saudi Arabia "in the few coming weeks" but gave no details.." [more]

Saudi Arabia Inches to Forefront of Arab Political Affairs [Jun 29]
"After decades of Arabs looking at Egypt's role in regional issues as vital and decisive, Saudi Arabia, which played a supportive role in Arab decisions and positions for a long time, has begun to emerge as a leader in Middle East affairs in what analysts describe as a "natural" progression. However, the shift between the role of "leadership" and "strategic follower" has created a veiled tension between the two heaviest-weight Arab countries, added analysts and experts. Officials in both countries denied it.. ..Both Riyadh and Cairo, meanwhile, seem to be categorised by the West under similar criteria, a factor that analysts believe facilitates the emergence of a leading political role for Saudi Arabia.." [more]

King Opens Big Jordan Project [Jun 29]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and King Abdallah of Jordan yesterday jointly opened a huge residential-city project named after the Saudi ruler as a mark of appreciation for his support to Jordan. The function was held at the Basman Royal Palace in Amman. The residential project sprawls over an area of 21 square kilometers comprising 70,000 residential units with an ability to house over 370,000 people. Both kings watered an olive plant indicating the project’s formal opening.." [more]

ALJ Employment Center for Saudi Women Opens [Jun 29]
"Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) Community Services Programs become operational with the opening of the first "Bab Rizq Jameel" Center (Gateway to Prosperity), which specializes in creating employment opportunities for females, on Sari Street in Jeddah. The center is tasked either to offer job vacancies in both the public and private sectors, or offer existing "start-up" opportunities for small or micro projects for females. In addition, the center includes more than 65 commercial shops for ladies, six female restaurants and a beauty center, together with a children's playground and a multipurpose "demonstration" hall. The center also includes meeting areas for companies to conduct interviews with potential candidates. Twelve female coordinators are working in the center to provide the necessary assistance.." [more]

Tomizawa Named JICA’s Kingdom Representative [Jun 29]
"The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) — an apex organization of the Japanese government that is responsible for implementing technical projects in foreign countries — has named Ryuichi Tomizawa as its new resident representative for Saudi Arabia. Tomizawa, who has worked in different positions at JICA, has arrived in the Kingdom with a mandate to further expand Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation. JICA, according to Tomizawa, seeks to expand relations particularly in the fields of energy, training, water and sewage.. ..The Kingdom and Japan began cooperating in technology in 1975 following the signing of an economic and technical cooperation agreement between the two governments.." [more]

First Mideast Knowledge Economy Forum Set [Jun 29]
"The first regional conference on knowledge economy will highlight education and investment in research and development to cope with its growing challenges, Abdullah M. Al-Subyani, president of Dhahran-based Arabian Knowledge Economy Association (AKEA), told a press conference at the Jeddah Hilton yesterday. The conference will be held here later this year under the auspices of Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. 'Patent and intellectual property rights are among the challenges that will also be in focus at the two-day first Middle East knowledge Economy Conference and Exhibition scheduled from Oct. 27,'.." [more]

Documentaries to Promote Tourism [Jun 29]
"Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) Secretary General Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz has signed a contract with international media company Industria of Mexico to make promotional documentaries and clips about the Kingdom. The agreement is to promote domestic tourism for citizens, residents and international visitors.. ..All clips will be shown in English and Arabic via electronic media, exhibitions, and festivals and on various events through out the kingdom. In the past, SCT produced clips about the Kingdom's heritage and culture that won 18 international awards. These video clips will be ready for broadcast in the coming six months.." [more]

Saudi Shura Council to Question Interior Minister on War on Terror [Jun 28]
"It was announced in Saudi Arabia yesterday that next Sunday was set as the date for a discussion in the Shura Council with Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin-Abdulaziz of matters related to his ministry's work and specifically the efforts being made to fight terror and crush "Al-Qaeda" organization. A source in the "Shura" told "Asharq Al-Awsat" that the reason for inviting the interior minister to the council is in response to requests by members' seeking clarification of some information relating to the terrorist group and the ministry's efforts in tracking them and foiling their schemes. Saudi Arabia has been battling the "Al-Qaeda" organization locally since May 2003 following the bombings which shook three residential compounds in Riyadh where Westerners and Arabs lived.." [more]

Kingdom, Jordan Call for Palestinian Unity [Jun 28]
"Saudi Arabia and Jordan on Wednesday said they would continue to back efforts to restore unity in the Palestinian ranks. They also warned of "dangerous repercussions" in the Palestinian territories after Hamas's armed takeover of Gaza. King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Jordanian King Abdullah II also reaffirmed their support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who arrived separately in Jordan and was due to meet later with the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.. ..The two leaders "also discussed ways of reactivating Arab coordination with the international Mideast Quartet, to revive the peace process leading to serious political negotiations aimed at clear and final" results.." [more]

Veolia Wins US$945 Million Desalination Contract in Saudi Arabia [Jun 28]
"Veolia Environnement said Thursday it won a $945 million contract as part of a consortium to design and build one of the world's largest desalination plants in Saudi Arabia. The plant will provide desalinated water to Jubail Industrial City and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia — a desert region due to be industrially developed. Veolia's partners in the consortium are GE Corp., Hyundai Heavy Industries and France's SIDEM.." [more]

UPS Opens New Saudi Arabian Express Center [Jun 28]
"EIRAD, UPS’s contractor in Saudi Arabia, has announced the opening of the new UPS express center in Hail. The centre will be built to accommodate the growing demand for express deliveries from customers in the region. Hail city has grown rapidly in the last few years because of its strategic location only an hour’s flight away from 11 Arab capitals. Moreover, the construction of the new Hail Economic City is boosting investments in the region. As the city is heading towards a bright economic future, shipping needs in the region are expected to grow quickly with the rise in residents and businesses.." [more]

Makkah, Taif, Al-Ahsa to Have New Social Protective Centers [Jun 28]
"The Ministry of Social Affairs will open new social protective centers in Makkah, Taif and Al-Ahsa as part of its strategy to reduce abuse of women and children.. ..“The ministry has responded to HRC’s request to open more social protective centers in all the regions of the Kingdom due to their extreme importance in combating domestic violence,” the statement said. It said it would continue to coordinate with other ministries in order to guarantee the protection of human rights.." [more]

Oil Prices Surge Past $70 in US [Jun 28]
"Oil prices have topped $70 in the US, hitting the highest level in 10 months on fears that more crude will need to be refined to boost petrol stocks. New York light crude rose as high as $70.09 a barrel, before slipping back to trade 82 cents higher at $69.79. Petrol stocks have declined just as the US summer driving season - a period of peak of demand - is about to begin. A number of refineries are also about to start working again after a break, increasing demand for crude oil.." [more]

Saudi King Arrives at Egypt's Resort for Talks With Mubarak [Jun 27]
"Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdel Aziz arrived at Egyptian Red Sea resort Sharm El-Sheikh on Tuesday afternoon for talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the latest developments in the Palestinian territories. The talks between Abdullah and Mubarak are expected to focus on the Palestinian situation following Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip and the stalled Middle East peace process. The Mubarak-Abdullah meeting came one day after a four-way summit, which was also attended by Jordanian King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.." [more]

Saudi King on Landmark Visit to Jordan [Jun 27]
"King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia arrived in Amman Wednesday on a two-day visit to Jordan where he was set to hold talks with Jordanian King Abdullah II on the latest developments in the Middle East, foremost the Palestinian rift since Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago. The Saudi monarch was accorded an exceptionally tumultuous welcome that was led by King Abdullah and senior government officials.. ..Ways of healing Palestinian division and re-launching the Arab-Israeli peace process on the basis of the Arab peace initiative are expected to top the Saudi-Jordanian summit talks later in the day, officials and diplomats said.." [more]

Emirates Will Start Pumping Gas from Qatar Despite Saudi Objections [Jun 27]
"The Emirati firm Dolphin Energy Ltd. plans to borrow US$3 billion (euro2,2 billion) to refinance the Middle East's largest cross-border gas pipeline project, a company official said Wednesday. The Emirates government, which owns half of Dolphin Energy, expects to begin pumping gas it produces with partners Total S.A. and Occidental Petroleum Corporation off Qatar's shore in July.. ..But the Dolphin venture, which will tap the world's single-largest gas field in Qatar's Gulf waters, faces objections from Saudi Arabia last year because of a quarter of a century old territorial dispute Riyadh has with Qatar. A document the Saudi government sent to The National Bank of Abu Dhabi — the initial sponsor of the gas pipeline project — warned that the kingdom had not approved a section of the pipeline that it claims passes through its territorial waters.." [more]

ABB Wins $1b Deal from Saudi Arabia [Jun 27]
"Grains marketer ABB Grain Ltd has won a $1 billion contract over five years to supply barley to Saudi Arabia. ABB said it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabia's United Feed Company to supply feed barley. An ABB spokesman said ABB would supply at least one million tonnes of barley a year, but United Feed had indicated that it would take as much as ABB could provide.. ..ABB said Saudi Arabia was the world's biggest buyer of feed barley, importing about 7.5 million tonnes a year. United Feed accounted for most of the grain tonnage.." [more]

US Lawmakers Warned on Anti-OPEC Bill [Jun 27]
"OPEC president Mohammed Al Hamli warned US lawmakers on Wednesday they were taking a "really dangerous step" in seeking legislation to sue the oil group.. ..He said OPEC had successfully fought off two prior attempts by Washington against the 12-member grouping, saying decisions taken by the group were non-binding.. ..The White House has threatened to veto the measure, and even if it became law, the Bush administration's Justice Department would have to initiate any lawsuit. Some of the bill's opponents have warned that OPEC nations - source of about a third of the world's oil - could reciprocate and sue the United States in their courts, or refuse to sell oil to the United States.." [more]

Let’s Work for Peace: Abdullah [Jun 27]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday received the Order of the Smile during a ceremony at Belweder Palace. The children of the world selected him for the award in appreciation for his role in the separation of the Polish conjoined twins Olga and Daria Kolacz at a Riyadh hospital in 2005. 'We in Saudi Arabia were happy to host the Polish twins. When I visited them in hospital, I saw their beautiful smiles that strengthened my perception that our basic responsibility is to build a future of peace and security where our children can live happily without fears,'.. 'This is the goal for which I pray day and night and may God help us to realize it with other nations of the world,' the king said.." [more]

BAE Says U.S. Starts Investigation of Saudi Business [Jun 26]
"BAE Systems Plc, Europe's biggest weapons maker, said the U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether the company violated corruption laws in arms sales to Saudi Arabia. The shares fell as much as 11 percent, the most in 4 1/2 years. BAE gets about 44 percent of revenue from the U.S., according to its 2006 annual report, and is the largest foreign supplier to the Pentagon. John Neilson, a BAE spokesman, declined to comment beyond the statement confirming the investigation.. ..BAE has been shedding assets in Europe to expand in the U.S., where it is the Pentagon's eighth-largest supplier.." [more]

Saudi Telecom Buys 25 Percent of Maxis for $3 Billion [Jun 26]
"Saudi Telecom Co., the largest phone company in Saudi Arabia, bought a 25 percent stake in Malaysia's Maxis Communications Bhd. for 11.4 billion riyals ($3 billion) to tap growth in developing markets such as India. Saudi Telecom bought the shares from Malaysian billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan, who last month offered to buy the 40 percent that he didn't already control in Kuala Lumpur-based Maxis, the country's biggest mobile-phone operator. 'This purchase makes sense because both markets share the same culture,'.. ..Saudi Telecom is the last major telecommunications company in the Persian Gulf to make a major acquisition in foreign markets, having focused previously on the Arab world's largest economy.." [more]

Saudi King Meets Separated Siamese Twins as He Ends Polish Visit [Jun 26]
"Saudi Arabian King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud ended a landmark visit to Poland Tuesday on a cheerful note, meeting with sisters born as Siamese twins but separated thanks to his sponsorship. The Saudi royal gained popularity in Poland two years ago when he funded a complicated and costly operation separating Siamese twin girls Olga and Daria Kolacz at an exclusive clinic in Riyadh. Physicians say the children have fully recovered from the procedure and are in splendid health.." [more]

Cost of Living Rises in Saudi [Jun 26]
"Inflation in Saudi Arabia rose for a second consecutive month in May to 2.96% as food and housing costs climbed, the central bank said on Tuesday. Inflation has been gaining this year as windfall oil revenues boosted Saudi Arabia's economy, increasing demand for housing. The component of the consumer price index tracking the cost of home renovation, rent, fuel, and water was up 6.5% compared with the end of May, 2006.. ..Food prices were main reason driver of inflation in April, when inflation was 2.9%. The annual inflation rate dropped for the first time in nine months when it slipped to 2.86% in March from 3% in February.." [more]

Commission Members Exonerated of Murder [Jun 26]
"Members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Riyadh were exonerated Monday of the alleged custodial death of Saudi national Sulaiman Al-Huraisi. A probe by Riyadh Governorate charged a group member distanced from the Comission with the death of Al-Huraisi. The group member took part in the arrest and house raid without any authority. Thus, he will be referred to court for causing the death of Al-Huraisi, the investigation report carried by Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said. However, the investigation found some administrative lapses, which will be looked into by the Control and Investigation Commission. Ten of the 18 detained Commission members and others have been released.." [more]

UN Protocols on Organized Crime OK’d [Jun 26]
"The Council of Ministers yesterday endorsed two UN security protocols related to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The first aims at preventing, suppressing and punishing human trafficking, especially of women and children, while the second calls for action against the smuggling of migrants by land, sea and air, the Saudi Press Agency said. The UN agreement seeks to strengthen the power of governments in combating serious crimes and provides the basis for stronger joint action against drug trafficking and money-laundering.." [more]

NAS Allots SR15.5bn for 98 New Aircraft [Jun 26]
"The National Air Services (NAS) has allocated SR15.5 billion for the purchase of 98 new aircraft in the next five years, NAS Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid said in a press conference at the company’s headquarters here yesterday. He said arrangements for the acquisitions were made with different airlines such as Airbus, Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault and Raytheon. 'Following the signing of a number of purchase agreements, NAS will increase its fleet size to include 142 over the next five years, thus becoming one of the most significant companies operating in the commercial and private aviation sectors in the Middle East,'.." [more]

Saudi King to Hold Economy Talks With Poland's Leaders [Jun 25]
"Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah was to arrive in Warsaw Monday for two days of talks with Poland's leaders on bolstering economic ties and fighting organized crime. During the very first visit ever by a Saudi king to Poland, Abdullah is to meet with President Lech Kaczynski, his twin brother, Prime Minster Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Economy Minister Piotr Wozniak and Science Minister Michal Sewerynski. The king is to take part in the signing of bilateral agreements to fight organized crime linked to the smuggling of humans, drugs and weapons and to forging documents and money.." [more]

Finnish Group to Deliver Sulphuric Acid Plants to Saudi Arabia [Jun 25]
"Finnish-based group Outotec said Monday it had signed a deal to deliver three sulphuric acid plants to the Saudi Arabian Mining Company. The project, described as the world's largest sulphuric acid production facility, was estimated to cost 370 million euros (498 million dollars) of which Outotec's share was some 270 million euros.. ..The production would be used by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company to manufacture phosphate-based fertilizer.." [more]

Singapore and Saudi Arabia Launch Business Forum [Jun 25]
"Singapore and Saudi Arabia have launched a business forum aimed at identifying areas of cooperation, promoting networks and providing a channel for information exchange, the city- state's trade body said on Monday. Projects available in Saudi Arabia over the next 10 years are worth more than 400 billion US dollars. The Saudi-Singapore Economic Cities Business Forum is co-chaired by Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan and Amr Abdullah al-Dabbagh, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority, said IE Singapore, the trade promotion agency.." [more]

RI Seeking Saudi Investors to Revitalize Sugar Factories [Jun 25]
"Indonesia is seeking investors from Saudi Arabia to revitalize its sugar factories at an estimated cost of Rp5 trillion, an industry ministry official said. Djoko Said Damardjati, director general of processing and marketing of agricultural products, said here on Monday the investors were needed because the country`s sugar factories urgently needed to be refurbished. 'Saudi businessmen seem to be interested in investing in development of sugar factories here,' he said in a briefing on the result of his recent visit to the Middle Eastern country. He said the government had offered Saudi investors investment opportunities in the development of sugar factories because of the good economic prospects of the business.." [more]

Japan, Saudi Arabia Heighten Relations [Jun 25]
"Japan’s presence in Saudi Arabia widened with investments in various projects exceeding $13 billion between April 2000 and March 2006. The latest investment of $9.8 billion is the PETRORabigh project, an equal joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical Company that is set to become operational next year. Japanese Ambassador Shigeru Nakamura told Arab News in an interview on Saturday that about 30,000 workers are engaged in the PETRORabigh project, 250 of them Japanese. Nakamura said Japan has been investing in desalination and electricity projects in
southern part of the Kingdom.." [more]

Palestinians Have Reached Abyss: Saud [Jun 24]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal yesterday called on warring Palestinian groups Hamas and Fatah to stand united on the basis of the Makkah Accord to save themselves from self-destruction. 'The Palestinians have reached an abyss. Either they turn back or suffer the consequences of falling into it,' he said. He also emphasized Riyadh's efforts in support of the Palestinian issue. 'We are working with the Arab League on this matter,' he said when asked about the Kingdom's efforts to end the latest bout of Palestinian infighting. However, he pointed out that all efforts would go in vain if the Palestinian leaders themselves refuse to reconcile to protect their national interests.." [more]

Landmark Trial of Saudi Anti-Vice Squad Put Off [Jun 24]
"A judge yesterday postponed the trial of three members of Saudi Arabia's powerful religious police for their alleged involvement in the death of a man in custody. The judge did not set a date for the trial, the first of its kind in this conservative nation.. ..The case involves the death of Ahmad Al Bulaiwi, a Saudi man arrested by the religious police for being alone with a woman who was not a relative - an act considered an offence in the kingdom. Al Bulaiwi's cousin, Audah Al Bulaiwi, who is representing the family in court, said the trial was postponed because the documents he presented to the judge were incomplete. While Saudis are allowed to appoint lawyers, many choose to send a family representative instead.." [more]

Saudi Women to be Urged to Work as Maids [Jun 24]
"Saudi Arabia is planning to encourage Saudi women to work as housekeepers after some Asian countries raised minimum wage requirements for maids hired for work in the Gulf Arab country, a Saudi newspaper said on Sunday. Wealthy Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, employs over 1 million maids from Asian and African countries and nannies have become the norm for even low-income families. But frequent reports of abuse have led some Asian countries to impose stricter controls on women hired at home by recruitment agencies for work in the desert country.. ..labour and social affairs ministries were working on finding "Saudi housekeepers" - a euphemism to avoid the usual Arabic word "khadima", or servant - to help Saudi families needing domestic help. Hiring its own women to do housework would be a major shift for conservative Saudi Arabia, where strict Islamic laws and customs restrict women's freedom to work and even ban them from driving cars.." [more]

Road Accidents Cost Saudi $6bn a Year [Jun 24]
"Road accidents cost Saudi Arabia’s economy SR21 billion ($5.72 billion) a year and are one of the biggest problems facing the Kingdom, according to a leading Saudi researcher. 'More than 30,000 people are injured annually. About 6-7% of them become permanently handicapped. This means that every year about 2,000 become permanently handicapped and remain like that,' Naif Al-Shammary told Arab News on Sunday. 'According to conservative statistics, traffic accidents cause material losses worth SR21 billion, which is 4.7 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP),'.." [more]

The Sage of Saudi Arabia [Jun 24]
"Prince Charles, reportedly referred to him as 'a good egg'. He is is in the vanguard of an important trend in Saudi Arabia: a desire to drag the Kingdom into the 21st century. Helen Power profiles Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal. Saudi Arabia's most famous businessman, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, could have stepped off a film script. A nephew of King Abdullah and the grandson of a former prime minister of Lebanon, Prince Al-Waleed is known as the Saudi Warren Buffett and holds significant stakes in international companies from Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation to banking giant Citi.." [more]

British Council Meets Saudi Writers, Plans Project [Jun 24]
"Aiming to bridge the literary gap between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, a group of British Council project managers has been in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah with the aim of meeting Saudi writers and thinkers.. ..The British Council said the visit was an introduction to what will become a long-term relationship based on a shared love for art and literature. In addition to its usual activity of teaching English, the Council is expanding into other fields such as science programs, vocational training, higher education and arts.. ..The Saudi writers expressed their opinions and ideas about what would be beneficial to them. Most of them agreed that translating their works was the first step toward a better understanding of Saudi literature.." [more]

Why the Saudis are Being Left Behind [Jun 24]
"'They don't know what they're doing. They don't do any homework. They don't do proper research. They just go in and out when they feel like. It's just not sophisticated.' Okay, so who said these words and what was he talking about? The unfortunate truth is it's something far worse and more significant - Saudi Arabia's HRH Prince Alwaleed describing what kind of people invest in the Saudi stock market. He has an excellent point. Whereas in the West, around 95% of stock market investors are big financial institutions, the figure is exactly the opposite in Saudi Arabia, where almost everyone trading is a private dealer, going in blind, with relatively small amounts, hoping to make fast cash. The effects are clear for all to see. Last year Saudi Arabia's stock market dived 60%.." [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.
< Read More About SUSRIS >