|
~~~~~~~~ [ May 3] ~~~~~~~~~
MWL to Hold Meet on Importance of Dialogue [May 3]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will attend an international conference on the role of dialogue in the
promotion of peace among nations, to be organized by the Muslim World League
(MWL) in Makkah next month.
Dialogues and discussions are always in the interest of nations, Secretary-General of MWL Abdullah
Al-Turki said in a
press statement in Makkah recently. 'The conference will try to remove misconceptions about Islam that it promotes
terrorism, injustice, violation of human rights particularly in the case of women. It will also serve as an occasion to invite
non-Muslims to cooperate with Muslims in fighting corruption, ensuring peace and security and solving other issues faced
by nations,'.." [more]
A First for Saudis: Mozart Performed for Both Genders [May 3]
" It's probably as revolutionary and groundbreaking as Mozart gets these days. A German-based quartet staged Saudi
Arabia's first-ever performance of European classical music in a public venue before a mixed gender audience. The
concert, held at a government-run cultural center, broke many taboos in a country where public music is banned and the
sexes are segregated even in lines at fast food outlets. The Friday night performance could be yet another indication that
this strict Muslim kingdom is looking to open up to the rest of the world. A few weeks ago, King Abdullah made an
unprecedented call for interfaith dialogue with Christians and Jews — the first such proposal from a nation that forbids
non-Muslim religious services and symbols.." [more]
Saudi Lawyer Awarded US Human Rights Prize [May 3]
"A Saudi lawyer and human rights activist who is banned from travelling abroad has received the International Human
Rights Lawyer Award from the American Bar Association (ABA), he told AFP Friday. 'This award shows that there is an
international monitoring of human rights work in Saudi Arabia,' lawyer Abdurrahman
al-Lahem said.. ..He said that the
award "sends a positive signal that there is a margin (of freedom) which has allowed a lawyer to be active," rather than
tarnishing the kingdom's human rights record. Lahem has had a history of confrontations with the judicial authorities in Saudi Arabia, whose courts apply
sharia, or Islamic law. In November, his lawyer licence was revoked by a court after he
objected to a ruling which penalised a female rape victim, who was later pardoned by King Abdullah after an international
uproar over the case.." [more]
Saudi Suffers Second Straight Loss [May 3]
"Saudi Arabia's main index suffered its second straight loss on Saturday, edging down on the back of poor performances
from banking stocks. Shares of SABB bank tumbled 4.68% and Al-Rajhi Bank fell 1.04% to pull the benchmark 0.08%
lower to finish on 10,057.69 points. The index, the worst performing in the Gulf Arab region, is down 8.73% this year to
Saturday's close.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ May 2] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Crown Prince Leaves Geneva After Medical Tests [May 2]
"Crown Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia has left Switzerland after undergoing medical tests, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA)
reported on Friday. The crown prince, who is in his early 80s, left Geneva on Thursday after arriving on Sunday with a
large retinue for 'regular medical tests'.. ..Prince Sultan had an intestinal cyst removed in Saudi Arabia in 2005 and
diplomats say he is in weaker health than King Abdullah.." [more]
Oil Price May Go Up to $250, Warn Experts [May 2]
"Crude prices continue to baffle analysts and pundits. With the $100-era a well established fact in our daily life, there is
now a growing chatter within the energy fraternity that $200 a barrel may not be a far fetched idea altogether. Is another
global oil shock now gathering pace? With limited additional supplies, alternative fuel still some decades away and
demand far from collapsing, Deutsche Bank is pointing to a 'huge risk' that oil prices would continue to rise in the near to
mid-term.. ..Pointing to the reasons behind the analysis, Sieminski underlines, 'Oil supply growth in non-OPEC countries
is struggling at a time when OPEC has been cautious with its production policies.' In order to analyze the situation further,
we need to look at historical facts too.." [more]
Oil-rich Gulf States Will Need Nuclear Power Soon [May 2]
"Persian Gulf states will need to build nuclear plants to meet local power needs as the oil- and gas-producing region
becomes a major energy consumer, consultant PFC Energy Inc. said yesterday. 'Nuclear will have to become some part of
the energy mix in the future for the region,' Raja Kiwan, an analyst at
PFC, said in a telephone interview from Bahrain.
'After the United Arab Emirates, I would guess that Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would most likely be the next to go nuclear.' Power consumption in the Gulf is growing as much as 14 per cent a year.."
[more]
Petron Set to Decide on Aramco Sale [May 2]
"The board of Philippine National Oil Co. will announce its decision on the sale of Aramco Overseas Ltd. shares in Petron
Corp. to the Ashmore Group on May 8. A source privy to the talks said the PNOC board had discussed the company’s
options, including the possible buyback of the 40- percent stake owned by Saudi Aramco in the country’s biggest oil
refiner. PNOC has a preemptive right on the shares of Saudi Aramco. 'They have weighed all the options and will be
ready to reveal the decision by May 8,'.. ..Saudi Aramco earlier said it had entered into an agreement with the United
Kingdom-based fund manager to sell its 40-percent stake in Petron for $550 million. PNOC reserves the right to match or assign if the Saudi Arabia-based oil company decides to sell its shares.."
[more]
Saudi Women: Untapped Economic Powerhouse [May 2]
"The economic status of women around the world needs immediate attention of the authorities concerned with national
development. It is said that even though women make up half of the world’s population they are burdened to perform
nearly two-thirds of its work hours; receive only one-tenth of its income; and own only one hundredth of its property.. .. in
spite of the heavy investment most Arab nations have made in women’s education, working women in the region make up
only 32 percent of the region’s total work force — and within these unemployment statistics, highly educated women are known to be the most unemployed.." [more]
Sharief Might Get Saudi Ambassadors Position [May 2]
"..Sharief’s bruised ego might receive a soothing balm after the Karnataka elections – in the form of ambassadorship to
Saudi Arabia. Congress sources on Thursday said the senior leader, who had to be placated by AICC president Sonia
Gandhi last Sunday after he threatened to quit the party in protest against his grandson being denied a ticket to fight
elections, had shown interest in such an assignment. In fact, sources said, Mr Sharief might have already been appointed
the ambassador to Saudi, but for an extension given recently to incumbent M O H
Farook, the former Pondicherry chief minister, who has been in the position since 2004.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ May 1] ~~~~~~~~~
Abdullah Calls for New Global Food Order [May 1]
" Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday called for a new global trade order to ensure food security
and achieve sustained agricultural development. In a keynote speech, delivered on his behalf by Agriculture Minister Dr.
Fahd Balghunaim, to the general assembly of Arab Organization for Agricultural Development, King Abdullah said the
whole world is concerned with the new wave of price hike and inflation. He added that new global developments have
increased the price of food and agricultural products by 47 to 85 percent.. ..King Abdullah blamed world food shortage on
biofuel production. 'The shift by some major food producing countries to biofuel crops has led to a decline in the cultivation
of food crops,'.." [more]
Gulf States May End Dollar Pegs [May 1]
" Gulf states are considering dropping their pegs to the dollar after the U.S. currency's decline stoked inflation across the
region, Kuwaiti Finance Minister Mustafa al- Shimali said. ``Yes, there are some'' Gulf Cooperation Council states
considering dropping their pegs to the dollar, which has fallen 13 percent against the euro in the last 12 months.. ..The
U.A.E., Bahrain and Qatar lowered their benchmark interest rates today by a quarter point, matching a cut by the U.S.
Federal Reserve a day earlier. The move is needed to maintain the dollar pegs. Saudi Arabia is on its weekend while Oman moves its interest rates in line with the London Inter Bank Offered Rate.."
[more]
Japan Mega Banks Target Mideast Oil Money [May 1]
"Japanese mega banks are boosting their efforts to attract Middle East oil money, which is in abundant supply thanks to
soaring crude oil prices. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., a core unit of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.,
established a representative office in the Qatari capital of Doha in April. Mizuho Corporate Bank, the wholesale banking
unit of Mizuho Financial Group Inc., plans to set up an office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.. ..Mizuho Corporate Bank plans to
establish an office in Saudi Arabia as early as the end of this year after the bank receives approval from Saudi authorities.
Saudi Arabia is considering setting up a sovereign wealth fund worth 6 billion dollars.."
[more]
Ministry of Education Hit by Soaring Prices [May 1]
"The rising cost of building materials has slowed down part of the construction boom of public schools in the Kingdom,
said Prince Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Muqrin Al-Mushari, Deputy Minister of Education for Girls’ Education during an
inspection tour of construction projects in Riyadh. 'The ministry has withdrawn some projects from contractors for their
inability to honor their contracts amid rising prices of building materials,'.. ..The Ministry of Education is constructing
1,200 schools across the nation worth SR6b and only 18 projects have been withdrawn from contractors, said Eng.
Abdulrahman Al-Ahmad, Deputy Minister of Education for Buildings and Equipments.."
[more]
Kingdom Needs $200b Investment in Water, Power Projects in 15 Years [May 1]
"Saudi Arabia will need to invest over $200 billion into its desalination and power generation programs in the next 15 years
amid high demand of the growing population and the construction of mega projects. Equally important though is the need
to ensure environmental and economic sustainability at all phases of development programs. Against this backdrop, the
Fourth Saudi Water and Power Forum will be held on Nov. 1-4, 2008 at the Jeddah Hilton Hotel.. ..The forum will
highlight the investment opportunities, sustainable development (environmental & economic), innovation and emerging
technologies in the Kingdom. At a time of huge investment in the utilities sector, SWPF 2008 strategic forum will provide unique perspectives on the best investment strategies, the key uncertainties and most appropriate risk mitigation tools for
water and power projects in the Kingdom.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 30] ~~~~~~~~~
AP Opens Bureau in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [Apr 30]
"The Associated Press has opened a multimedia news bureau in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and appointed veteran Mideast
correspondent Donna Abu-Nasr as bureau chief. The announcement was made Tuesday by John
Daniszewski, managing
editor for international news.. ..The bureau was created by reallocating resources within the AP, Daniszewski added, noting
that the Middle East remains a highly volatile area and the effects of rising oil prices and tensions in the Persian Gulf
motivated the strategic move. 'Having an ongoing presence in such a vital country will increase the AP's ability to have far-reaching and in-depth coverage of the important and booming Gulf as it becomes even more key to world stability,'.."
[more]
Palestinians Losing Hope For Peace Deal - Rice [Apr 30]
"US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has told an American Jewish group that young Palestinians are losing hope for a
peace agreement with Israel. Her comments came during a sobering speech on Tuesday evening to the American Jewish
Committee at their 102nd annual meeting in Washington. Rice is set to leave early on Thursday for more Middle East
peace talks with Arab and Israeli leaders.. ..She called on Israel to make "difficult decisions" to provide the Palestinians with
the dignity of statehood.." [more]
$25M of Saudi Money Aids Cornell Nano Work [Apr 30]
"A $25 million grant, spread over five years, will enable Cornell University to create a center focused on nanotechnology
research with a sustainability aim. The funding will come from the Saudi Arabia-based King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology's Global Research Partnership. The award was announced Tuesday along with three others going
to other universities. Cornell researchers Lynden Archer and Emanuel Giannelis are the principal investigators for the
developing center, which will be called Cornell University's KAUST Center for Research and Education.. ..The center will
study nanomaterials for the enhancement of oil recovery, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, water desalination,
and photovoltaics and solid state lighting. The center will begin work on June 1.."
[more]
Media Deliberately Trying to Malign Us, Says Commission Chief [Apr 30]
"Western media is deliberately trying to malign the commission for unknown reasons, said the national head of the
Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in a wide ranging interview with Arab News. 'Or else,
why should a respectable institution be denigrated because a few of its officials committed some judgmental errors?' said
Ibrahim Al-Ghaith, the commission president. Speaking about criticism that the commission goes beyond its jurisdiction
and trespasses into people’s private lives, Al-Ghaith said such generalizations were unfair. 'Interior Minister Prince Naif
recently said that the commission is a governmental department and is prone to making mistakes like other departments,'
he said.." [more]
Penn State Offers Tailored Learning for Company in Saudi Arabia [Apr 30]
"Saudi Aramco, the state-owned national oil company of Saudi Arabia, wanted to educate its employees in the foundations
of supply chain and recognized Penn State's expertise in that area — specifically, the Smeal College of Business'
Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems. That department offers a graduate certificate online via Penn State
World Campus. While Aramco wanted to learn more about Penn State's online learning environment, the company was
more comfortable with traditional face-to-face learning for its employees. The solution: Amy
Stever, Penn State Outreach
client development manager, approached Peter Forster, World Campus associate director, and Gary
Gittings, Penn State
instructor of supply chain and information systems, to develop a model to alleviate the company's concerns. Because the
company was new to Penn State and online learning, Forster and Gittings collaborated to customize the online curriculum
to include an initial week of on-site, face-to-face learning, in order to first establish trust with Penn State. The 12-credit certificate program began in August 2007; the first cohort of 26 students will complete the certificate this August.."
[more]
Saudi Index Crosses 10,000 on Banks [Apr 30]
" Banks helped the stock market in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf’s largest, close above 10,000 yesterday on attractive valuations.
Five out of seven Gulf bourses closed in the black. The Saudi market surged 1.8% to 10089.52 at close, led by banks. It last
closed above 10,000 in early March. SABB climbed 7% to 114 riyals and Samba Financial Group rose 6.3% to 101 riyals.
Lenders are attracting attention as their profitability is showing signs of recovery after recording a 13% decline in 2007,
said a National Commercial Bank weekly report on Sunday. Banks also led gains on Monday. 'Banks are reacting positively to news that the US Federal Reserve will likely cut interest rates Wednesday and the Saudi central bank is
expected to follow'.." [more]
SABIC to Sell $1.3b Islamic Bonds [Apr 30]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the biggest chemicals maker by market value, is in the process of selling about $1.3
billion of Islamic bonds in Saudi riyals. The company has scheduled meetings with investors starting on May 3, with an
aim of completing the borrowing by May 14, Chief Financial Officer Mutlaq
Al-Morished said in an interview as reported
by BIME on Tuesday. HSBC Holdings and a venture between Calyon and Banque Saudi Fransi are arranging the issue.
SABIC is selling bonds for 'general corporate use,’ Al-Morished said. 'The Saudi market has good liquidity so it should go
well’ even as a global credit crisis freezes global debt markets, he said.."
[more]
Saudi, Swedish Students Exchange Cultures [Apr 30]
"The Jeddah General Directorate for Education on Tuesday hosted a delegation of Swedish students that is scheduled to
participate in a joint educational program between the two Kingdoms. Under the name
'Spiritus Mundi,' (Spirit of the
World), the same name of the Swedish nongovernmental organization behind the visit, the four-day visit aims to exchange
ideas of artistic work among selected students of the two countries.. ..Some of the students told the Saudi Gazette of their
impressions about the country when they first arrived. 'To be honest, we were surprised,' said a Swedish journalist accompanying the delegation. 'Never before had we this opportunity to see Saudi Arabia up close.' 'Before, all what has
been said about your country in the media was about terrorists and terrorism but now, we see friendly people and a
civilized community.'.." [more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 29] ~~~~~~~~~
Bush to Mideast, No Joint Talks Planned [Apr 29]
"US President George W. Bush will visit Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt May 13-18 but has no plans for a joint peace
summit with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, the White House said Monday. Bush, who seeks a Middle East peace deal by
year's end, will meet in Israel with President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and address the Knesset,
Israel's parliament, said spokeswoman Dana Perino. The US president, who has been pushing Israel and the Palestinians to
agree on the outlines of a future Palestinian state, will then travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with King Abdullah.. ..In Saudi Arabia, Bush will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formal establishment of US-Saudi relations, said
Perino. The
visit also will focus on cooperation with US Mideast allies and 'will reaffirm efforts toward peace and prosperity and our
close work with regional allies to combat terrorism and promote freedom.'.."
[more]
Abbas to Visit Saudi Arabia Over Mideast Peace Talks [Apr 29]
"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Saudi Arabia Wednesday to hold talks with King Abdullah over his recent
visits to Russia and the United States, sources at Abbas' office said on Tuesday. Last week, Abbas discussed with U.S.
President George W. Bush Washington's efforts to push forward the Mideast peace negotiations renewed between Israel
and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) following a U.S.-hosted conference at Annapolis in November. As the
peace process still marks time, Abbas seeks to "crystallize a united Arab stance between the
PNA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and
Jordan after the U.S. administration retreated from building pressure on the Israeli government to make progress," the
sources said. Abbas' tour is also aimed at signaling Arab warnings to the U.S. administration that 'the region will plunge
into a circle of violence and the extremists will be boosted if the U.S. failed to pressurize Israel in ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.'.."
[more]
Saud Denies Rift in Relations With Syria [Apr 29]
"Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal said yesterday that the Kingdom and Syria were in direct contact with each other
and denied that relations had come to a halt. 'Relations have not been cut. They are still ongoing and communication
between us continues,' Prince Saud told reporters yesterday, while addressing a joint press conference with visiting
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store, who arrived in the Kingdom on Sunday at the head of an official
delegation. Prince Saud expressed surprise at Iranian suggestions that it was ready to mediate between the Kingdom and
Syria. 'I do not think there is any need for a mediator between Saudi Arabia and Syria. We are surprised by offers of outside mediation between us,' he said.." [more]
US Firm to Design EP Research Park [Apr 29]
"The Kingdom has awarded a multi-million-riyal contract to a US architectural firm to prepare the design of a project
encompassing about 40 world-class research and development companies. Dhahran Techno Valley
(DTV), an undertaking
by the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), awarded the contract to HOK Planning Group, an
international firm that specializes in planning, design and delivery solutions for buildings and communities. The project, to
be located within KFUPM’s campus, is envisioned to become a hub of research and development in the Middle East.."
[more]
Saudi First Sovereign Wealth Fund Nears Approval [Apr 29]
"Saudi Arabia is about to approve the launch of its first sovereign wealth fund with initial capital of 20 billion riyals ($5.3
billion), the Financial Times reported on Tuesday. The fund, which will be set up by the state-controlled Public Investment
Fund (PIF), will act as "a portfolio investor focusing on maximizing long-term rates of return", the newspaper said, quoting
the PIF's secretary general, Mansour al-Maiman. Maiman, who said Riyadh is in the final stages of approval, said new
fund could raise its capital or increase the size of assets under management as needed.. ..Saudi Arabia is considering setting
up a $6 billion sovereign wealth fund to invest the country's surplus oil wealth.."
[more]
Saudi Officials Deny Yemen Reports of Burning Migrants [Apr 29]
" Saudi Arabia yesterday denied Yemeni press reports that its policemen had burned 18 Yemenis in Khamis
Mushayt, a town in the Kingdom’s southern Asir region. 'There is no truth at all to these reports,' said Col. Abdullah
Al-Qarni, spokesman of the Asir police. He said the 18 undocumented foreign nationals had suffered burns of varying degrees as a
result of a massive fire in a garbage dump. 'Civil Defense firefighters rushed to the site and put out the fire while the
injured were taken to hospital,' he said. According to a statement issued by the Civil Defense Department, the
undocumented foreign nationals, who were later identified as Yemenis, were in the rubbish dump at the time sifting
through garbage.." [more]
Saudi Takes Steps to Curb Price Rises [Apr 29]
"Saudi Arabia's cabinet has approved short- and long-term measures to protect the inflation-hit economy from food price
rises. 'The cabinet approved a number of short- and long-term steps..
..to protect the market from price fluctuations and
preserve living standards in the kingdom,' a statement on the official news agency SPA said.. ..Inflation in the largest Arab
economy almost doubled in the six months to March, when it hit 9.6 percent, its highest since at least the 1970s, official
data showed on Sunday. Earlier this month Saudi Arabia slashed import levies on food such as frozen poultry, dairy goods
and vegetable oils to 5 percent from about 20 percent.." [more]
KSA, Norway to Cooperate to Stabilize Oil Market [Apr 29]
"Energy and regional issues were the focus of Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere’s visit to the Kingdom.
“We held a comprehensive long session today which focused on bilateral relations and means to reinforce them in many
domains,” said Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a joint press conference with
Stoere. 'We are as
different as two countries can get.. ..in culture, history and even climate, but we have one thing in common and that is we
have both developed our energy fields,' said Stoere. Prince Saud said the Kingdom was looking forward to signing a free
trade agreement in its final form between the GCC and countries of the European Free Trade Federation.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 28] ~~~~~~~~~
Saudi Says Beheadings of Syrians Not Political [Apr 28]
"Saudi Justice Minister Abdullah al-Sheikh on Monday said there was nothing political behind recent beheadings of
Syrians in the ultra-conservative kingdom, amid strained ties between the two countries. 'We do not execute anyone for
political reasons,' Al-Sheikh told reporters.. ..Earlier this month Saudi Arabia executed three Syrians convicted of drug
trafficking, triggering protests in Damascus where one human rights activist claimed that 300 Syrians were jailed in Saudi
Arabia with 75 on death row. 'Executions carried out in Saudi Arabia are not a matter of opinion. They are decided by
Saudi courts which implement sharia (Islamic law) without distinction,'.."
[more]
Too Many Guardians Hindering Society’s Progress:
Al-Gosaibi [Apr 28]
"Labor Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi yesterday criticized people who reject the idea of Arab and Saudi women working as
maids in Saudi households.. ..Saudis sponsor over 1.5 million foreign maids, the majority from southeast Asia. Even though
the issue of needy Saudi women working in Saudi households was brought to the ministry’s attention in the past,
conservative elements in society rejected the idea. 'I see that any job, whatever it may be, is an agreement between an
employer and the employee. It is a matter of accepting and refusing. If there is a woman whose circumstances force her to
work in a kitchen for a few hours and she accepts the payment, then I cannot come and say, ‘How could Saudi women
take such jobs?’ Our mothers and grandmothers used to do such jobs. And they still do in the Bedouin culture,'.."
[more]
Australian University Urged to Return Saudi Cash [Apr 28]
"Australian Muslim leaders have urged a university in the eastern state of Queensland to return a $100,000 grant from the
Saudi Arabian embassy. Griffith University has been criticised by Muslims and academics after it was revealed the grant
was part of an overall donation of more than a million dollars the university had hoped to secure from Saudi Arabia. The
Australian newspaper says the university also offered to keep elements of the funding deal secret. Australia's most senior
female Muslim leader, Aziza Abdel-Halim, has urged Griffith to give the money back. She claims the Saudi government has funded other projects in Australia with a view to imposing a hardline ideology on recipients.."
[more]
Number of Saudi Fighters in Iraq Exaggerated [Apr 28]
"Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz has said reports about the actual number of Saudis fighting in
Iraq were exaggerated. He also denied reports that these fighters are reaching Iraq directly from the kingdom.. ..'We
challenge anyone to prove that Saudis are leaving for Iraq via its international borders directly. But the reality is that there
were a number of Saudis leaving for other neighbouring countries. Then they were being lured to fight in the war-torn
country,' he said.." [more]
Saudi Ministry Buys Helicopters to Boost Security [Apr 28]
"Saudi Interior Minster Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said the ministry has signed a contract for the purchase of 30
helicopters. 'The new helicopters will work in all fields of security at the Ministry of Interior. The copters began arriving in
the Kingdom now,'.. ..Regarding the use of technologies at Saudi borders to curb infiltration and smuggling, the minister
said: 'We are on our way to use the best technologies at the borders.'.. "
[more]
Saudi Inflation Nears 10% in March [Apr 28]
"Inflation in Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, accelerated to almost 10 per cent in March, its highest since at
least the oil boom of the 1970s, on soaring rents and food prices. The rental index of the largest Arab economy, which pegs
its currency to the ailing dollar, soared 15.8 per cent, while food and beverage costs rose 14.2 per cent, the state-controlled
Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Sunday, without citing anyone. The rental index includes fuel and water
costs. The overall cost of living index accelerated for a tenth straight month, rising 9.6 per cent to 114.2 points in the year to March 31, compared with 104.2 points.." [more]
King Abdullah Receives Afewerki [Apr 28]
" King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, received Eritrea’s President Isaias Afworkiat his Palace in Riyadh
Sunday. At the outset of the audience, the Monarch welcomed the president, wishing him and the accompanying
delegation a good stay in the Kingdom.. ..The two leaders discussed the events at the regional arena, the prospects of
cooperation between the two countries and the ways of their enhancement in all areas. On the Saudi side, the audience
was attended by Prince Saud Al-Faisal, the Foreign Minister and Nasser
Al-Risheidan, Saudi Ambassador to Eritrea.."
[more]
World Class Media Institute Launched [Apr 28]
"Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman formally inaugurated the world-class Prince Ahmed bin Salman Applied Media Institute, the
first media training facility of its kind in the Arab world, here last night. The institute, which has received major funding
from Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG), will open a new era in Saudi mass communication with its diverse
international courses in print and broadcast media.. ..'The institute has been established in response to calls from the media
sector for qualified and specialized professional human resources at the vanguard of rapidly developing Arab journalism'.."
[more]
~~~~~~~~ [ Apr 27] ~~~~~~~~~
Be Patient, We’ll Deliver, King Tells Saudi Women [Apr 27]
" 'Be patient and we will deliver,' was King Abdullah’s message to Saudi women during his meeting with female
participants of the Seventh National Dialogue Forum. During the reception at the Yammah Palace, some female
participants requested the implementation of a four-year-old Council of Ministers’ order on the establishment of a Higher
Commission on Women’s Affairs.. ..After every National Dialogue forum, the King receives the participants at his palace.
The opportunity to meet and talk to the King was overwhelming for many of the female participants.. ..'The fact that he is
meeting us is a message to the world that he is the greatest supporter of Saudi women.'.."
[more]
Reformist Saudi Blogger Freed and Very Happy [Apr 27]
"A Saudi blogger and reform advocate, whose detention without charge four months ago sparked criticism from
Washington, told AFP on Sunday he was 'very happy' to be free and was 'fairly' treated in custody. But Fouad
al-Farhan, who was released on Saturday from a prison in the Red Sea city of Jeddah, said he would not comment on the details of his
case for the time being.. ..According to earlier reports, Farhan wrote to friends two weeks before his arrest saying he
expected to be detained for his writings about a group of reformists arrested in February 2007 for alleged links to terror
funding. Prior to his arrest, Farhan had also criticised a number of influential Saudi figures as well as religious
extremism in the oil-rich Muslim kingdom. In an article entitled: 'No to terrorism, yes to dialogue in Saudi Arabia,' and posted on
December 3, Farhan wrote that Al-Qaeda had not been eliminated despite the calm prevailing in the kingdom.."
[more]
Dialogue Will Promote Peace: Abdullah [Apr 27]
"Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday welcomed the different viewpoints and ideas of Saudis, but
insisted that they should be based on the Islamic faith and morality. Addressing a reception at his Riyadh palace for
participants of the national dialogue in Buraidah last week, the king emphasized that dialogue would promote peace and
humanity.. ..King Abdullah emphasized the need for Muslims taking part in interfaith dialogue to be confident. 'We have
to exercise our historic right with the confidence of a strong believer by participating in every dialogue that serves our
Islamic faith, and the principles of peace and humanity.'.." [more]
GE Healthcare Strengthens Saudi Presence With New El Seif Joint Venture [Apr 27]
"GE Healthcare, the US$17 billion healthcare business of General Electric Company (GE), today announced the formation
of a new joint venture GE El Seif Healthcare Arabia. The new company will drive the sale of GE Healthcare's products in
Saudi Arabia, and has 51:49 per cent ownership by GE and El Seif Development, respectively. GE Healthcare has been
established in Saudi Arabia for more than 25 years.. ..This new joint venture, GE El Seif Healthcare Arabia, is aligned with
GE Healthcare's vision for the future of healthcare - 'Early Health'; it is about moving healthcare delivery to pre-symptomatic and earlier disease detection.." [more]
Leading Saudi, UK Law Firms Join Hands [Apr 27]
"Herbert Smith, a London-based law firm with over 1,200 lawyers in branches world-wide, has established a formal and
exclusive association in Saudi Arabia with the Al Ghazzawi Professional Association (GPA), one of the Kingdom's largest
and leading law firms. The move is part of the British firm's plan to establish a strong regional profile, particularly given
the rapid development of the Saudi economy.. .."Given the tremendous expansion of the Saudi economy and the welcome
influx of foreign companies into the country, we thought it important to link up our local expertise with the international capability of a firm like Herbert Smith," said Belal
Al-Ghazzawi, managing partner of GPA.."
[more]
Saudi Aramco Plans to Boost Drilling Activity [Apr 27]
"Saudi Aramco is preparing a plan to boost drilling activity by a third and increase investments by 40 per cent, the
London-based Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) reported, citing sources close to the state firm. A final version of
Aramco's plan, which runs from 2009 to 2013, is expected to be approved by the company's board and the Oil Ministry by
mid-May.. ..Aramco will bolster the number of wells drilled around the kingdom to 248, compared with an initial target of
187 and investment on projects will be increased to $13.7 billion from $10.7 billion under the draft plan. The increase in
drilling activity will be aimed at sustaining the kingdom's production target of 12.5 million barrels a day, which it expects to reach by the end of 2009." [more]
Sabic May Spend $5bn in Iraq as Competition For Gas Heats Up [Apr 27]
"Saudi Basic Industries Corp, the world’s largest petrochemical firm by market value, may invest $5bn in war-torn Iraq as
competition for energy at home forces it to search for cheap gas in riskier Mideast locations. The Riyadh-based company,
known as Sabic, is in talks with Iraq’s government 'to build a new factory to produce polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride,'
Faris Taha Abdul Hameed, Iraq’s chemical industry director, told Zawya Dow Jones on the sidelines of a conference in
Dubai this week. Sabic joins companies like Royal Dutch Shell, Dow
Chemical Co and Total as the latest to flirt with a major investment in Iraq amid ongoing political uncertainty and violence in the country. For their part Sabic officials are
quick to pour cold water on the Iraq project talks. 'This has been twisted politically,' .."
[more]
Saudi Security Burn Yemenis at Border [Apr 27]
"The security authorities in Hodeida province have begun investigating the incident in which several Yemeni people were
burnt by the Saudi police while trying crossing into the Saudi lands. Some of these people, who were seriously injured,
were sent to hospitals in Sana'a and others are receiving treatment in Hodeida's hospitals. Meanwhile, the Yemeni
authorities are considering contacting with the Saudi Authorities to find facts about the incident.. ..Many Yemenis usually
try to cross the borders with Yemen's neighbor Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to escape bad economic conditions and seeking livelihoods in the rich-oil country.." [more]
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