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~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 26] ~~~~~~~~~
Oil Prices Jump More Than $2 on US-Iran Tensions [Apr 26]
"Oil prices jumped more than $2 to above $118 a barrel yesterday on supply disruptions in Nigeria and the North Sea and fresh tensions between the US and Iran.. ..Tensions between Washington and the Opec nation last year helped send oil to then-record highs. Crude prices have surged more than five-fold since 2002 as supplies struggle to keep pace with rising demand in emerging economies, such as China.."
[more]
Saudi Chambers Council Holds Talks With Sudanese Delegation [Apr 26]
"The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry held talks here today with the visiting delegation of The Sudanese Businessmen & Employers Federation
(SBEF) on ways of enhancing commercial and investment relations between Saudi Arabia and Sudan.. ..The Sudanese side invited the Saudi investors to participate in the promising investment in Sudan through SBEF which is a gateway to investors looking forward to projects and investment opportunities in Sudan. 'In addition, SBEF familiarizes investors with regulations, procedures and economic systems in Sudan'.."
[more]
Saudi Blogger Freed After 4 Months Jail [Apr 26]
" Saudi blogger detained without charge for more than four months after expressing pro-reform opinions has been released, a colleague said on Saturday. Fouad Farhan was detained in early December after running an online campaign over 10 men arrested since February 2007 on suspicion of financing militant groups, but whose supporters say they are being punished for pro-democracy activity.. ..Saudi authorities blocked Farhan's website
(www.alfarhan.org) earlier this month. An Interior Ministry spokesman said he would not confirm Farhan's release. The ministry had declined to say on what charges he was arrested, but said it was not security related.."
[more]
Queen Rania to Speak at Seminar [Apr 26]
" Queen Rania of Jordan will deliver the keynote address at the formal opening of the two-day 6th annual Learning and Technology Symposium at the Jeddah Hilton tonight.. ..The event is taking place at a time when the Kingdom’s e-learning industry is projected to reach $125 million in 2008. It is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 33 percent over the next five years, according to a recent study. The growth is being driven by the Ministry of Education’s initiatives for the integration of information and communication technology and the education sectors, including pilot e-classrooms in five secondary schools in Riyadh.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 25] ~~~~~~~~~
Senators Want Oil Linked to Arms Deal [Apr 25]
"A group of senators pressed President Bush on Thursday to halt billions of dollars in sophisticated arms sales to Saudi
Arabia and several other Gulf oil producers unless they agree to pump more petroleum, reflecting growing frustration in
Congress over soaring energy costs.. ..The senators said if Saudi Arabia does not increase production, they would seek a
resolution that would block the arms deals. But such a move would be difficult to achieve since it would require 60 votes to
pass the Senate, must also pass the House and then would be subject to an almost certain veto by the president. In their letter to Bush, the five senators — four Democrats and one of the chamber's two independents — said that Saudi Arabia
has reduced oil production from about 9.5 million barrels a day in 2005 to 8.7 million barrels a day last year, well below its
stated capacity of 11 million barrels a day.." [more]
Poly: Saudi Deal Will Follow Laws [Apr 25]
"Cal Poly officials said Thursday that their deal to develop a university engineering program in Saudi Arabia expressly
forbids that nation’s officials from discriminating against women and minority faculty. They also said at a student forum
that no specific time-line has been set for when Cal Poly and the Saudi Arabian government could ink a deal. Details of
the agreement between the Saudi government and Cal Poly are still being worked out.. ..Thursday’s event was the second
forum aimed at addressing questions and concerns about a proposed $5.9 million partnership in which Cal Poly faculty
would help design four engineering departments at Jubail University over five years. Some students and faculty have
expressed concerns over the possibility that female, Jew-ish and gay professors would be discriminated against in Saudi
Arabia because of that nation’s poor human rights record. Inequalities currently exist there, they note, and some
wondered how they could be avoided.." [more]
Child Labour Has Spread Throughout Saudi Cities [Apr 25]
"Child labour is a serious social problem facing Saudi Arabia where nearly 1.54 per cent of the child population works,
says a recent study. The study, the first of its kind in the kingdom, commissioned by the King Abdul Aziz City for Science
and Technology and conducted by Dr Mohammad Abdullah Al Naji, showed that the Eastern Province tops the list in
child labour at 2.3 per cent followed by Makkah, Madinah, Asir and Riyadh. Common prominent social characteristics
among working children include the low professional and educational standards of their parents, large family size and
inadequate support for children by their families and low levels of achievement in schools.."
[more]
Saudi Women Can Be Employed According to Sharia Rules [Apr 25]
"The issue of women's employment figured highly in both the days of the two-day Seventh National Dialogue Forum,
which concluded on Wednesday in Buraidah City. Minister of Labour Dr Gazi Al Gosaibi was the focus of attention
among the key figures addressing the forum on the concluding day.. ..'There are some people who want to have a debate
on the issue again and again with the motive of either imposing restrictions on employing women or expanding the scope
of the Sharia regulations in this respect,' he said. Dr Al Gosaibi said the amendment of a clause in the Labour Law is
nothing to do with mixing of women with men at work places. 'On the other hand, it is aimed at broadening the supremacy of values of Islamic
Sharia.'.. ..Dr Al Gosaibi said no Islamic religious strictures prevent women from working.."
[more]
SRMG Plans Strategic Expansion in Media Sector [Apr 25]
"The Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) has said that it was in the process of executing a number of strategic
projects that aim at providing support to its affiliates and seek to enhance the Group’s leading position in the fields of
media, publishing, management and marketing of the knowledge content at regional and global levels.. .. 'the challenges
faced by traditional print media should not be undermined, especially that the majority of the Arab readers are the young
category that tends to the nontraditional means of accessing information. However, there are big opportunities for
developing digital media industry, and generating new revenues through sales of e-ads and digital content. This will certainly contribute to the growth of media and the development of the means of editing and
producing'.." [more]
Kingdom to Spend $20b on Health Sector by 2016 [Apr 25]
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to spend $20 billion on the health and medical sector by 2016, according to
statistics from the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), with the demand for better medical products and services and the
rapid rise in population driving the industry’s unprecedented growth. 'As the Saudi government undertakes drastic
reforms in the health care system, the market catering to medical equipment can be expected to witness exponential
growth, thus presenting tremendous opportunities for global and regional suppliers,'.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 24] ~~~~~~~~~
UK Fraud Office Wins Right to Appeal in Saudi Case [Apr 24]
"Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) won the right on Thursday to appeal against a London High Court ruling which
sharply criticised the halting of a corruption investigation into a Saudi arms deal. In the April 10 ruling, two judges had
said the SFO had capitulated to threats from the Saudi royal family over arms deals with Europe's biggest defence
company.. ..On Thursday, the two judges, Lord Justice Alan Moses and Justice Jeremy Sullivan, formally quashed the
decision of the SFO to drop an investigation. At the same time they gave the SFO the go-ahead to appeal to the House of
Lords, Britain's highest court, against their ruling.." [more]
Insecurity Blocks Saudi Embassy in Iraq [Apr 24]
" The Iraqi capital isn't secure enough yet for an embassy, Saudi Arabia said Wednesday, insisting its diplomatic absence
there doesn't reflect a lack of support for the country. Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal's comments following months
of urging by both Iraq and the United States for the kingdom to establish an embassy. His statement was an apparent
retreat from September comments that his country would open a Baghdad embassy soon. 'There aren't any reservations at
all regarding contact with the Iraqi government by Arab countries,' Saud told reporters. 'The real reason why there's no
embassy in Baghdad is not for political but for security reasons,'.." [more]
Islam Does Not Forbid Women From Working [Apr 24]
"A senior Saudi scholar is in the forefront of those who made a fervent appeal to the Saudi public and private sectors to
create more job opportunities for qualified young Saudi women. Shaikh Abdul Mohsen Al
Obaikan, a member of the
Shura Council and adviser to the Ministry of Justice, ruled that Sharia does not prevent women from working as long as
they do not mix with unrelated men. 'We cannot see any religious scriptures that forbid women from being engaged in
duty together with men at work places. Islam permits women to mix with men even while performing Tawaf and
Sa'ai. Similar is the case with shopping at markets,'.." [more]
Saudi Inflation Could Top 10% This Year [Apr 24]
"Inflation in dollar-pegged Saudi Arabia could cross 10 per cent this year, the country's central bank governor said, the
highest since at least the 1970s when Gulf econ-omies boomed on soaring oil prices. Still, consumer price rises in the
world's largest oil exporter could then ease in the second half as anti-inflationary government measures take hold and
lower global demand for commodities feeds into prices.. ..Inflation in the largest Arab economy almost doubled in the six
months to February to at least a 27-year high of 8.7 per cent, as rents surged 18 per cent and food prices jumped 13 percent.."
[more]
Saudization Now or Never – Gosaibi [Apr 24]
" If recruitment of foreign workers were put on hold for six months, not a single Saudi would remain jobless. That was
Minister of Labor Ghazi Al-Gosaibi’s answer to the avalanche of questions he had to face on the second day of the 7th
National Dialogue in Buraidah on Wednesday. In a speech at the beginning of one of the dialogue’s sessions, the straight-talking Gosaibi said that his ministry had to succumb to the demands of a large swathe of the society which opposed his
ministry’s policy of minimizing foreign recruitment, mainly because of the Kingdom’s economic boom. 'Last year, 1.7 million work visas were issued,' said
Gosaibi, 'which was the highest number in the history of the Kingdom'.. ..the real
problem the ministry has to deal with is that it tries to get someone who doesn’t want to work hired by someone who
doesn’t want to hire them.. ..The Ministry of Planning, he said, had estimated that the qualifications of 80 percent of Saudi
job seekers are below high school levels.." [more]
S. African Trade Mission Boosts Ties With Kingdom [Apr 24]
"A 30-member business delegation from the South African province of Western Cape led by its Premier Ebrahim Rasool is
in the Kingdom to strengthen economic ties. 'We want to diversify our economic ties beyond petrochemicals,'.. ..The two
sides agreed to strengthen bilateral ties. After Mbeki’s visit, a number of delegations from South Africa visited the Kingdom
to explore business and investment potentials. The volume of trade between the two countries stood at SR11.5 billion last
year. It has shown an increase of 13 percent. Saudi Arabia exports mainly petrochemical products to South Africa and
imports mainly mining and agro products, thus the balance of trade is tilted toward Kingdom.."
[more]
Victims’ Relatives Demand Death for Vice Cops Accused in Madinah Chase [Apr 24]
"Relatives of four people who died in an accident last month after two members of the Commission for the Promotion of
Virtue and Prevention of Vice chased their car said they would demand execution of the culprits who caused the accident,
according to Al-Madinah daily. Authorities are questioning the two commission members and a policeman, who was also
involved in the pursuit that led to the death of two men, a woman and the woman’s daughter.. ..The husband of the
woman who died in the incident said he would also demand the execution of the culprits. He said his 17-year-old daughter
had a mental collapse after learning of the deaths of her mother and sister.."
[more]
Editorial: Clinton’s Threat to Iran [Apr 24]
"If there were any doubt that if she made it to the Oval Office, Hillary Clinton’s term would be George Bush Mark III, the
lady made it plain on the eve of Tuesday’s Pennsylvania primary. Her campaign had already run TV advertisements
featuring pictures of Osama Bin Laden and asking voters who they would really trust as their commander-in-chief,
Clinton or Obama. Then Monday night, Clinton drove home her 'toughness' by threatening to “obliterate” Iran if it
launched an attack on Israel. Given the kind of foreign policy advisers she has (the same as those who paved the way for
Iraq war), she may not wait for Iran to “attack” Israel. It can be a pre-emptive 'obliteration.' This is the foreign politics of
the madhouse.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 23] ~~~~~~~~~
Abbas to Ask Bush to Jump Start Mideast Peace Talks [Apr 23]
"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will call for urgent international action to jump start Middle East peace talks
when he meets US leader George W. Bush this week, a senior Palestinian official said on Wednesday. Palestinian Foreign
Minister Riyad Al Maliki said Israel and Palestine last year agreed to try to reach a peace deal in 2008 and international
pressure is needed if both sides are to meet objectives on the way to that goal. Abbas will ask Bush for the United States,
and other members of the Middle East "quartet" of negotiators, to pressure Israel to meet commitments to freeze Jewish settlement activity in the West Bank and ease checkpoints that limit Palestinian mobility.."
[more]
Prospect of Iran Nukes Frightens Saudi Royals to Their Core [Apr 23]
"A U.S. report projects a concerted effort by Saudi Arabia to match Iran's nuclear weapons program. The report,
submitted to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, took note of a U.S. assessment that Teheran's nuclear program
frightens the Saudi royal family 'to their core.' 'The future Middle East landscape may include a number of nuclear armed
or nuclear weapons-capable states vying for influence in a notoriously unstable region,' the report, released in early April
2008, said. The report, ordered by ranking Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, was authored by staff member Bradley
Bowman, Middle East Newsline reported. The assessment on Saudi nuclear plans was based on discussions with senior
U.S. diplomats in Riyad. Saudi Arabia would be followed by other Middle East states bent on producing or acquiring
nuclear weapons.." [more]
Saudi Arabia’s eLearning Industry to Touch US$125 Million in 2008 [Apr 23]
"The Saudi Arabian eLearning industry is projected to reach USD 125 million in 2008 and is set to grow at a compound
annual rate of 33 per cent over the next five years, according to a recent study conducted by Madar Research. The growth
is being driven by the Saudi Ministry of Education’s initiatives for the integration of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) and the education sectors, including pilot eClassrooms in five secondary schools in Riyadh. In line with
its aims to increase awareness on the benefits of eLearning technologies, Edutech Middle East, a leading provider of
technology-enabled learning solutions, has partnered with Saudi-based Effat College to organise ‘The 6th Annual
Learning Technology Symposium’ at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel from April 26 – 27, 2008.."
[more]
Marriott Announces Five New Saudi Hotels [Apr 23]
"Marriott has announced a significant expansion in its presence in the Middle East. The company has announced five new
properties in Saudi Arabia.. ..The Saudi properties are a 250-room Marriott and a 50-unit Marriott Executive Apartments
in Damman, a 250-room Ritz-Carlton hotel with 100 Ritz-Carlton Residences in Riyadh, and a 220 room Courtyard hotel
in Jubail. The properties will open by 2011.. .. "The Middle East is not only a rapidly expanding centre of commerce, but
also a thriving tourist destination. The region is a lynchpin in our company's long-term vision to expand global
distribution.." [more]
National Dialogue Debates Women’s Employment in Islam [Apr 23]
"The definition of Islamic rules concerning women’s employment was the center of debate during the Seventh National
Dialogue that opened in Buraidah on Tuesday. Participants discussed Islamic regulations on employing women, whether
they need to be defined or left to individual interpretation. Some participants said there was a need to clearly define
Islamic regulations on employing women, while others said that the labor market should be fully open to women.'We need to have clearly stated regulations for companies to follow,' said Huda
Al-Jeiresy, Chairwoman of the National
Committee for Women at the Saudi Council for the Chambers of Commerce and Industry. 'There are regulations now, but
they contradict each other.." [more]
Samba Tops List of Most Active IPO Managers in Middle East [Apr 23]
" Samba Capital topped the list of most active IPO managers in the region with its 76 percent share of total offerings in
Saudi Arabia, said Eissa M. Al-Eissa, chairman of the company’s board of directors. 'A review of the total offerings in the
Kingdom since 2004 reveals Samba Capital as the manager of over SR137 billion with more than 38 million subscribers,'
Al-Eissa said. The IPOs were oversubscribed by an average of 10 times.. ..'We have managed the largest IPOs in the Saudi
market in terms of stock volume and number of subscribers,' the Samba chief said. 'We have been eager to accomplish
the process at the highest standards of transparency and flexibility and in line with the vision embraced by Custodian of
Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to make the offering a chance for citizens to develop their investments and contribute
to major business institutions.'.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 22] ~~~~~~~~~
Britain's Serious Fraud Office Says it Plans to Appeal Ruling on Saudi Arms Deal [Apr 22]
"Britain's Serious Fraud Office said Tuesday that it plans to appeal a High Court ruling that the agency acted unlawfully
when it ended a corruption inquiry into a lucrative arms deal between Saudi Arabia and BAE Systems
PLC. The fraud
agency said it wanted to seek a 'definitive ruling' in the House of Lords, Britain's highest court of appeal, on the judiciary's
ability to intervene in such a case. The SFO's move to appeal is a blow for the Campaign Against Arms Trade and social
lobby group Corner House, which successfully brought the High Court judicial review over the decision and had called on
the SFO to immediately reopen the inquiry. An appeal to the House of Lords could drag on for several months.."
[more]
Crude Tops $119; Saudi Arabia Pledges $90 Billion to Lift Supply [Apr 22]
"As oil prices hit a fresh record Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian oil minister Ali
al-Naimi called for more investment to increase
world oil production capacity. The minister said his country, the world's top oil exporter, was 'working hard' to ensure the
crude market is adequately supplied. 'Limited capacity along the entire supply chain is the real source of current global
supply tightness and represents the greatest threat to ensure adequate energy to fuel future economic growth,' Naimi said
in a speech at the International Energy Forum in Rome.." [more]
Saudi Terror Suspect Admits to Plotting Strike [Apr 22]
" Saudi engineer turned terror suspect has admitted to his involvement in a planned attack on the Chinese city of
Shanghai. The suspect was one among those arrested following the failed terror attack on Abqaiq oil processing plant in
the Kingdom's Eastern province, the largest oil facility in the world.. ..'The terror suspect, who worked as an engineer in
the petroleum sector, told me that the aim of the planned Shanghai attack was to lure Americans into Saudi Arabia in
order to kill them.'.. ..The February 24, 2006, attempt on Abqaiq, which left two security guards dead, was later claimed
by Al Qaida.." [more]
France, Saudi Arabia to Cooperate in CO2 Capture Technology [Apr 22]
"France said Tuesday it plans to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in solar energy and in technology for 'capturing' and storing
carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, preventing them from being released into the atmosphere. The two countries
would set up a joint top-level technical group in Paris by July, French Energy Minister Jean-Louis Borloo told reporters on
the sidelines of the International Energy Forum here. It would be a research group investigating solar technology on a
large-scale and so-called CCS, carbon capture and storage technology, Borloo said after a bilateral meeting with Saudi Oil Minister Ali
al-Naimi.." [more]
Oil's Big Issue is Investment, Not Reserves-Naimi [Apr 22]
"The world has enough oil to fuel future economic growth, but the energy industry is facing a big challenge to ensure
investment is enough to meet future demand, Saudi Arabia's Oil Minister Ali
al-Naimi said on Tuesday.. ..Limited fuel
supply capacity, and not a lack of oil reserves, was the greatest threat to future energy supplies, Naimi said. A lack of
spare crude output capacity and tight refining capacity have helped fuel a six-year rally in oil prices to a record of over
$118 a barrel on Tuesday.. ..Shortages of labour, equipment and materials were raising costs and delaying new projects that would boost capacity, Naimi said.." [more]
Saudi Call to Resist Foreign Influence [Apr 22]
" Saudi Arabia yesterday urged feuding factions in Lebanon to pledge allegiance to their own country and resist foreign
influence, in an apparent reference to Iran. 'The kingdom... calls upon all the Lebanese to work to form one Lebanese
front that would owe allegiance to no one except Lebanon,' the government said in a statement after its weekly meeting
chaired by King Abdullah. Such a united front 'would have the ability to overcome... new hegemonic attempts that the
country is facing,'.. ..Saudi Arabia appeared to be referring to Iran which — along with Syria — backs the
Hezbollah-led opposition in Lebanon, which has been without a president since November. Saudi Arabia and several other Arab states
back the ruling majority, which also enjoys Western support.." [more]
7th Dialogue Forum Opens Today [Apr 22]
"Difficulties in obtaining labor visas, the call for a minimum wage, regulated working hours, the problem of
unemployment, women’s working conditions and the need for updated labor regulations are among the several topics that
will be addressed at the Seventh National Dialogue Meeting which opens in Qassim Tuesday. The main theme of this
year’s forum is the promotion of dialogue between society and employment related establishments, ministries and other
government agencies.. ..The forum seeks to address the main problems faced by businessmen and businesswomen as well
as employees and job seekers.." [more]
Americans Amaze Saudi Literati [Apr 22]
"A cultural evening hosting an American cultural delegation organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information was
held at the Jeddah Literary Club in Al-Shati district on Sunday. The delegation consisted of poets, authors, novelists and
writers who came to Jeddah as a part of their Middle East Reading and Lecture Tour.. ..Doctors and professors of Arabic
and English literature from many universities around the Kingdom, such as King Saud University and Umm
Al-Qura University, attended the evening. They commended the visit of the first American cultural delegation in decades, saying it’s better to have this sort of delegation in the Kingdom than political ones. Both academics and members of the
delegation hoped it would be the beginning of a better understanding between the two cultures.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 21] ~~~~~~~~~
Abdallah, Carter Discuss Mideast Peace Moves [Apr 21]
"King Abdallah of Jordan met with former US President Jimmy Carter yesterday and stressed the need for making
'tangible progress' in the ongoing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The king underscored the
importance of achieving tangible progress in the peace talks and also called for the establishment of an independent
Palestinian state, according to a royal court statement. He also stressed the significance of Israel giving up its policy of
blockade and expansion of settlements, the statement added. Abdallah expressed 'appreciation for Carter’s active role and
contributions toward the establishment of peace in the region, ending the Arab-Israeli conflict and boosting world
peace.'.." [more]
Saudi Arabia, India to Ease Visa Regulations [Apr 21]
"Saudi Arabia and India have agreed to simplify visa regulations for businessmen and entrepreneurs by granting long-duration multiple-entry permits and set up a Saudi-India investment fund. Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee
held a two-hour-long meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al-Faisal in Riyadh yesterday and the two leaders
agreed on a number of issues, including liberalisation of business visa regulations, setting up Saudi-India Fund and the
enforcement of Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Treaty.. ..The two sides underscored the importance of
private sectors from both countries playing a key role by establishing a number of joint ventures, enhanced trade and
investment activities.." [more]
Asciano Wins $7b Saudi Project [Apr 21]
"Transport infrastructure group Asciano expects to generate a 'very attractive'' capital return on a $7 billion rail
infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia it will develop with a consortium of partners.
Asciano, the ports and rail owner spun-out of Toll Holdings, and its seven Saudi Arabian partners who make up the Tarabot consortium have been selected as the
preferred bidder to deliver the project. The Saudi Landbridge project will connect the Saudi city of Riyadh with the major
port cities of Jeddah and Dammam with the construction of more than 1000 kilometres of rail track.. ..The group expects
to reach financial close on the project within 12 months, with building to begin shortly afterwards.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia to Spend USD 20 Billion on the Health and Medical Sector by 2016 [Apr 21]
"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to spend USD 20 billion on the health and medical sector by 2016, according to
statistics from the Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH), with the demand for better medical products and services and the
rapid rise in population driving the industry's unprecedented growth.. ..'As the Saudi Government undertakes drastic
reforms in the health care system, the market catering to medical equipment can be expected to witness exponential
growth, thus presenting tremendous opportunities for global and regional suppliers,'.."
[more]
Syrians Hold Sit-in in Damascus to Protest Beheadings of Two Countrymen in Saudi Arabia [Apr 21]
"Scores of angry Syrians have staged a sit-in in a Damascus park to protest last week's beheadings in Saudi Arabia of two
of their countrymen convicted of drug smuggling. Nearly 200 Syrians attended the demonstration, calling on Riyadh to
hand over other Syrian prisoners. Monday's protest reflects the cold relations between Syria and Saudi Arabia, mainly
over Lebanon where Damascus backs the Hezbollah-led opposition and Saudi is a major supporter of Prime Minister
Fuad Saniora's government.." [more]
Over 60 Percent of Saudi Women are Jobless [Apr 21]
"Unemployment among Saudi women rose to an alarming rate of 60.6 per cent, according to a new report of the Ministry
of Economy and Planning. 'The number of unemployed Saudis is put at 4.45 million. Of these women make up 60.6 percent,' the report said.. ..'The workforce in Saudi Arabia accounted for 8.2 million last year, of which Saudi men constituted
40.9 per cent while women’s percentage was only 8.1. As for expatriates, men make up 43 per cent while the remaining 7.3 per cent are women,' the report said. The female labour participation rate was extremely low in the kingdom as there will
be little growth in government hiring, and the private sector is overwhelmingly dominated by foreign workforce. Saudi
women comprise 55 per cent of graduates but make up only 5 per cent of the workforce in the Kingdom.."
[more]
Saudi Aid for Lebanon Starts [Apr 21]
"With directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul
Aziz, and with supervision from
Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Interior and General Supervisor of the Saudi National Campaign for the Aid of
the Lebanese people, the Zakat Fund of the Akkar region in northern Lebanon has begun distributing financial aid to
some 1,800 Lebanese families. The fund is also heading out olive oil cans to some 1,400 families, as well as orphans,
widows and the elderly.." [more]
Value of Saudi Investment Projects Reaches SR3.2 Trillion [Apr 21]
"Backed by sustained high oil prices and a growing need to diversify the economy, Saudi Arabia is embarking on a
massive spending program focused predominantly on infrastructure projects across the country. According to the Dubai-based Shuaa Capital, the value of announced investment projects so far is SR3.2 trillion ($862 billion), with the civil sector
taking the lion’s share at 39 percent of the total number of projects. The power industry came in second at 19 percent,
followed by the oil and petrochemical industries with 15 and 13 percent respectively. The Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority
(SAGIA) has taken the lead role in translating the strategic directives.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 20] ~~~~~~~~~
King Abdullah Welcomes Carter [Apr 20]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah held talks with former US President Jimmy Carter at
Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday. They discussed matters of mutual concern, the Saudi Press Agency said. The talks were attended
by a number of senior officials including Prince Muqrin, director of intelligence, Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah, Prince
Mansour ibn Nasser, Prince Bandar ibn Salman ibn Muhammad, Abdul Mohsen
Al-Tuwaijeri, advisers to the king, and
Dr. Nizar Obaid Madani, state minister for foreign affairs. Carter arrived earlier in the day and was received at the airport
by Madani, Dr. Abdul Mohsen Al-Marik, deputy chief of protocol at the Foreign Ministry, and other officials.."
[more]
Human Rights Watch: Saudi Arabia's Male Guardianship Policies Harm Women [Apr 20]
"The Saudi government should abide by its international obligations and dismantle discriminatory policies against
women, including male guardianship of women, a report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch said. The 50-page report, which will be released Monday, draws on more than 100 interviews with Saudi women to document the
effects of these policies on their rights. 'The Saudi government sacrifices basic human rights to maintain male control over
women,' said Farida Deif, women's rights researcher for the Middle East at Human Rights Watch. 'Saudi women won't
make any progress until the government ends the abuses that stem from these misguided policies.'.."
[more]
Saudi Arabia Refutes Iranian Allegation About Murder of Hezbollah Commander [Apr 20]
" Saudi Arabia strongly refuted allegations made by some Iranian newspapers that Riyadh is behind the killing of top
Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh in Lebanon. Denying reports, Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said:
'It is ridiculous'. Prince Naif also clarified that his recent meeting with US Ambassador to Iraq was focused on the
condition of Saudi detainees and their coming back home.." [more]
Saudi Arabia's Biggest IPO 74 pct Oversubscribed [Apr 20]
"Investors offered 18.3 billion riyals ($4.87 billion) or 74 percent more than Saudi Arabia's Alinma Bank was seeking in the
country's biggest initial public offering, the bank and its IPO arranger said on Sunday. Alinma sold 1.05 billion shares at
10 riyals each, raising 10.5 billion riyals in the IPO that ended on Wednesday, the bank and Samba Financial Group
1090.SE said in a statement. The sale is equivalent to 70 percent of the bank's share capital. 'The number of subscribers
stood at 8,853,000, with the total value of shares purchased reaching 18,273 million riyals, or 174 percent of the value of
the total share offering,'.." [more]
Saudi Mega Cities Take Off [Apr 20]
"Work is under way at the first of Saudi Arabia's six new economic cities. The projects at
Madina, Hail, Tabuk, Jizan, Ras
Az Zour and Rabigh, are designed to accelerate major regional development. They represent the launch of new industries
and businesses comprising the most ambitious long-term investments the kingdom has ever undertaken. As well as
stimulating a huge expansion of the kingdom's growing non-oil economy they will ease the growing pressures on Riyadh,
Jeddah and Dammam, where most urban expansion has taken place since the first oil boom in the 1970s.. ..An essential
feature of the new economic cities is that their developments are in the main private sector led albeit with the close
encouragement of Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) as a facilitator.."
[more]
Oil Beyond Control [Apr 20]
"Oil at $117 a barrel has left energy producers and consumers in rare agreement there is little they can do for now to
prevent prices rising higher still. Oil hit the latest in a series of records on Friday after a rebel attack in Nigeria added to
supply concerns and offset the impact of a US-led economic slowdown, which has begun to eat into energy demand.
'There is a possibility of (oil prices) going still higher,'.. ..'Today, there is no reason to jump up and down and say ‘we will
supply more crude’ – because that request from consuming countries is probably politically-driven rather than a
fundamental requirement,' Saudi Arabian Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said in an interview.."
[more]
Saudi Delegation to Explore Business Avenues in Bosnia [Apr 20]
"A delegation of Saudi businessmen will visit Bosnia in early May to explore the prospects of establishing business and
trade relations between the two countries. The delegation, organized by Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, will
also travel to Turkey.. ..'This is the first trip organized by a Saudi chamber to Bosnia and will be an exploratory one
because most of the delegates have not visited Bosnia before,' Al-Sulaiman, said. 'I hope the businessmen will succeed in
promoting trade and investment with that country.' The delegation is expected to meet Bosnian President Dr. Haris Silajdzic, who visited Saudi Arabia for the Jeddah Economic Forum in February this year.."
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Dialogue Center Conveys Nation’s Pulse to King [Apr 20]
"Conveying the pulse of the Saudi street to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is one of the main
purposes of the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue, Faisal ibn
Muammar, secretary-general of the center, said
here yesterday. 'King Abdullah has given us a great responsibility and the national duty of conveying to the leadership the
pulse of the street, as well as bringing different points of views closer,' Muammar said.. ..'The idea of establishing a
national center for dialogue, which has been supported by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, is the
biggest project of its kind in the Islamic world,' Muammar said. 'These meetings have proved that no matter how extreme an idea may be it can be dealt with through meaningful dialogue in the context of national unity, which is the basis for the
nation,' he said. 'National unity is the lifeguard for the nation when ideologies and people’s interest are mixed.'.."
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