Document 6422978

RGBB News
FROM
THE
CHAIR
At the Summer Ball I noted that the evening felt like
the end of term and that the Riyadh social calendar
had been over the past few months quite hectic.
There had been the British School Ball, the St.
George’s Society Ball, the Corona Ball, the Wadi
Club Ball, the ICING Ball and finally the RGBB Ball.
I commented that we should all raise our glasses to
Sir William and Lady Patey for putting up with such a
load of Balls! This list of events clearly demonstrates
the focal point which the Embassy has become
within the British community in Riyadh. The aim of
the RGBB is to “Promote UK PLC” and to “Benefit
British business in a business & social context,” and
indeed through the good offices of the Embassy
we are able to fulfil these aims – and on behalf
of the membership of the RGBB I would thank all
at the Embassy for what they do in support of the
community and the promotion of British business.
In the year to date Paul Williams, Tim Dearden and
their team have supported over 30 Trade Missions
to the Kingdom. The volume of Trade Missions is
a clear indication of the importance of the Saudi
market to UK PLC.
Since the last edition of RGBB News the AGM has
been held and a new Board elected. RGBB stalwart
Chris Maybury stood down and his years of service
to the RGBB are greatly appreciated and we all
wish him well. In his stead the RGBB is delighted
to welcome to the Board Nicola Quick who is now
responsible for the development of the Special
Interest Groups and on behalf of the RGBB I wish
her all success in this role.
Owain Raw-Rees
Chairman
[email protected]
Simon Messum
Deputy Chairman
[email protected]
Ian Crawford
Events
[email protected]
In returning to the end of term theme I was privileged
in mid-June to attend the Prize Day of the upper
school of the British International School and
present the prizes. It was clearly evident that there
was an enormous sense of pride in the assembled
audience of pupils, parents and teachers in what the
school does. I extended my congratulations to all of
the pupils who received commendations and prizes
– levels of attainment, positive attitude, outstanding
progress, exemplary behaviour, positive contribution,
enthusiasm, effort and commitment were all justly
and rightly acknowledged. Not only do these awards
serve to reward particular individuals but they set
goals to which others may aspire to.
This occasion also marked the last such Prize Day
that Alan Aitken, the acting Principal, would attend
before leaving the Kingdom. Alan and his family’s
contribution to the success of the school over the
last 20 years is immeasurable and on behalf of the
RGBB, and our children, I would thank him for his
dedication to the school and the role he has played
in the education of many of our children over this
period.
The British International School in its own way
also promotes UK PLC by actually being here in
Riyadh and providing both the British and general
expatriate community the opportunity to actively
engage in British academic excellence.
On such occasions as school Prize Days I believe it
is traditional that the speaker includes in his speech
The RGBB 2009-2010 Board
The RGBB Secretary, Jane Brierley can be contacted on
tel: 00966 1 488 00 77 ext. 2263 on Saturdays or [email protected]
Luke Bowen
Ian Hay
Magazine & Advertising
[email protected]
Special Briefings
Gary Richardson
Nicola Quick
Sports
[email protected]
SIGS & Website
[email protected]
Marcus Cleverton
Treasurer
[email protected]
Paul Williams
Embassy Representative
[email protected]
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RGBB News
various wise thoughts to enlighten the audience
and in continuance of this tradition I list below a
number of such thoughts:
•
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just
in case you have to eat them.
•
If you cannot be kind, at least have the
decency to be vague – or to paraphrase
my own mother, and heaven forbid that I
would admit to taking advice from one of
my parents, if you cannot say anything nice
about someone perhaps it is best not to say
anything at all.
•
Never put both feet in your mouth at the
same time, because then you will not have
a leg to stand on.
•
If you lend someone SR20 and never see
that person again, it was probably worth
it.
•
It may be that your sole purpose in life is
simply to serve as a warning to others.
•
When everything’s coming your way, you
are in the wrong lane.
•
Birthdays are good for you – the more you
have the longer you live.
•
You can learn a lot from crayons - some
are sharp, some are pretty and some are
dull, some have weird names and all are
different colours, but they all have to live in
the same box.
Further to the theme of education, on behalf of
the Board and the membership of the RGBB, I was
delighted to offer congratulations to Jim Scarth,
Director Saudi Arabia for the British Council
here in Riyadh on his recent appointment in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours List to be an Officer
of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
This acknowledgement of his work in support of the
British Council and the in promotion of British Saudi
educational relations is well deserved.
Finally as we escape for the summer holidays I
would like to thank all of the members of the RGBB
who support the Board and attend the various
events - this support has made the RGBB the envy
of much of the rest of the international community
here in Riyadh. The British Community and the
active engagement of many of its members in the
life of the community is something to be proud of
– this was especially demonstrated with the recent
ICING Ball where over SR325,000 was raised for
charitable causes. We are indeed fortunate to be
here in Riyadh and working in a vibrant economy.
However we should not take our good fortune for
granted – as we all know pride comes before a fall.
Only recently a delegation of British MP’s visited
Riyadh and some of us had the good fortune to meet
with them to “Promote UK PLC” - shortly afterwards
one of them fell spectacularly from grace embroiled
in the current parliamentary expenses scandal. On
a more personal note some, if not all, of us know of
friends and family who through misfortune and no
fault of their own are indeed facing many difficulties
as a result of the global recession – including former
members of the RGBB - we should all be mindful of
our good fortune.
Owain Raw-Rees
Chairman
2
FROM
THE
CHAIR
RGBB News
Notes
from the
Eastern
Chair
Geoff Fennah MBE
Chairman, British
Business Association
Eastern Province
In March, we said farewell to Terry Evans, Head
of BTO and we wish her well in her new UK based
assignment. We have also had the opportunity to
welcome replacement David Harries OBE and wife
Carol and we look forward to providing our usual
support to both he and his office.
At our April AGM, we welcomed some new
committee members - Terri Nicol as our Events
Secretary, our new Newsletter Editor duo – Kirsty
McMahon and Geraint Isitt – who have offered
to put their professional editorial skills to work
and generate a regular and interesting quarterly
Newsletter and finally, Ewen Baxter as our
Membership Secretary.
On the business front, EP is continuing to be busy
with established projects moving steadily towards
completion with a number scheduled to come on
line in the 2010–12 timeframe. However, there is
evidence that some of the newer projects, in the
early stages of development, are showing signs of
slowing down – economic problems catching up
with us or just a timely opportunity to do some recosting now materials, such as steel, have seen a
fall in price.? There also seems to be small signs
of recovery in the world economy with the optimists
expecting growth to return in 2010 – time will tell!
In June, we were pleased to host HMA Sir
William Patey as guest speaker at our monthly
business dinner. He delivered an interesting
“State of the Union” talk providing an update
on the strengthening relationship between both
Kingdoms. It was good to hear that relations are
stronger than ever both politically and with trade.
Below: David & Carol
Harries greeting
guests at the QBP
Don’t forget RGBB members are welcome to attend
any of our functions if you happen to be in AlKhobar on business. If you need to contact us then
feel free to call me directly, send an e-mail to our
Secretary (Pamela) at [email protected]
or via the website www.bbaep.com
Local News Round-Up
Several companies now offer regular email up-dates
carrying news items from the region. Herewith a
selection of items recieved by the RGBB News Editor in
the two weeks before publishing.
Camel Renamed
In case you missed it, the Arab News reported
that the June 4 speech at Cairo University by US
President Barack Obama was widely watched in the
Arab world, including in the desert of Hail province
where traffic virtually vanished during the address.
Resident’s of one village gathered around a TV
screen owned by Awad Khudair Al Shammari to
catch Obama’s words. Al Shammari, who owns and
breeds camels said in honour of what he considered
Obama’s promise to solve the Palestinian issue he
would do what any camel enthusiast would do as
a gesture of goodwill: he named one of his prize
camels “Barack Obama”.
Smoking Compensation Sought
Menafn.com has reported that a Saudi citizen has
filed a lawsuit against two tobacco companies
asking for SR37.5m in compensation for the health
damages he sufferred from smoking.
The victim had throat cancer and has been through
major surgery losing part of his vocal chords leaving
him unable to talk without a special device.
The plaintiff has told the Smoking and Drugs
Awareness Association that he hope to build a
hospital for treating tobacco addicts free of charge
with the money that he hope to win.
Earthquake
During May many of the local newspapers reported
on the earthquake in the Al Ais region north of
Madinah which had caused a total of 2289 people
to be evacuated. 30 tremors of varying magnitudes
measuring between 3 and 5.4 on the Richter scale
were registered in one 24 hour period. Both Civil
Defence and the Red Crescent have confirmed that
there were no deaths or serious injuries.
Time Off for Heat
Al Watan reported on 16 June that building
contractors in Riyadh were giving workers a three
hour break in the afternoons when the heat is at its
highest. Fahd Al Hammadi, head of the contracting
division at the RCCI acknowledged that there were
parts of Riyadh where the temperature had reached
50 degress and more.
One owner of several contracting companies was
also reported to have said that the break would only
be given on the understanding that workers would
work harder during the mornings and evenings
to compensate for the missing hours and ensure
projects were not delayed.
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RGBB News
Notes
from the
BBG in
Jeddah
Brian Hawley
Chairman,
British Business Group
Jeddah
Brian Hawley BBG Chairman writes:
It is a pleasure to be back in Saudi Arabia again
after a protracted holiday in the UK, which
included a family wedding. It’s great to be able
to get back to work so I can get some rest!
I’m pleased to say that Sandie and I managed to
spend a week in London with Cecille El-Beleidi,
former Deputy Consul-General to Jeddah, whom
many of you will know quite well. She sends her
regards to all BBG members and she misses
Jeddah!
There are noticeable effects from the recession in
the UK, at least there were during the time that I
was there. It is remarkably easy to get a table in
a good restaurant that would normally need to
be booked weeks ahead, tourist attractions were
not crowded (apart from the commendably free
museums in London, which were packed) and
even on the Bank Holiday weekend, the roads
did not seem particularly crowded. I heard on
Sky News today that some pundits are saying the
recession is ending. Let’s hope so!
I just managed to get back in time to attend the
Survivors’ Ball and was very surprised to hear
we had lost this year. Well that’s what you get
if you include horseshoe-throwing and exclude
cricket. But seriously, congratulations to the
ABJ on a hard-fought, friendly and enjoyable
competition. And watch out next time for the
British horse-throwing team in secret one-year
intensive training. Many thanks to all who helped
out – particularly our Consulate-General for
providing the venue.
You will all have received an invitation to a
networking reception at Kate Rudd, our Consul
General’s house. Indeed there are at least three
receptions as the BBG has too many members
to fit in at the same time. As I write, two of
these have already been held and there is one
to come. Thanks to those who attended and of
course sincere thanks to Kate for her kindness.
Finally, I was glad to attend a function recently
at Open Skies, the hippotherapy organization
which we support from time to time. All is in
apple-pie order and Nejma, the horse the BBG
purchased for Open Skies, is in good condition
and having fun with the children. You may be
confident the funds we contributed are being put
to good use. Congratulations to Judy and to her
dedicated army of volunteers! (pictured left)
The following snippets have been extracted from the
BBG’s own e-newsletter:
In his role as Deputy Chair, Edward Ogilvie writes
in his foreword that “...an impressive programme
of reforms has been taking place over recent years
to improve the business regulatory environment in
KSA. In particular, improvements have focused on
reducing the time, number and cost of procedures.
Over the last two years alone, Saudi Arabia has
seen reforms in the procedures for starting a
business, registering property, protecting investors
and in closing a business.
And, at the initiative of King Abdullah, the Saudi
Arabian General Investment Agency (SAGIA)
launched the ’10 by 10’ project which aims to
make Saudi Arabia one of the top 10 countries
in the world by 2010. That may seem a somewhat
optimistic ambition to us but I thought it interesting
to note that the end-of-year performance bonuses
of SAGIA’s executive staff depend on achieving or
surpassing the agreed targeted rankings, creating
a focused sense of urgency, accountability and
responsibility. Considering what we have been
seeing on TV and reading in the Press regarding
the ‘performance’ bonuses given to certain top
executives within the banking and financial sectors
in the UK and around the world, we can only reflect,
- Now why didn’t we think of that?”
In his report, John Lockhart, the BBG Events
Coordinator also acknowledged a delightful and
informative discussion on Oriental rugs led by Safi
Kaskas, one of the most informed individuals in the
Kingdom on the subject.
Dave Wheen, BBG Sports Coordinator writes: First
of all I’d like to say thanks to all of the BBG captains
and players. Everyone who participated in the 2009
ABJ v BBG Sports Competition gave it 100%, but
unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to retain the
trophy. Although we only lost by one point, after
such a great start in the ten-pin bowling, tennis,
darts and golf, it was a bitter pill to swallow as the
Team BBG lost their last 3 matches.
On a positive note the aims of the competition were
met. Everyone seems to have enjoyed the matches,
we’ve all met new people on both sides of the lines
and the competition was played in good spirits with
no major ugliness. Well done to all.
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RGBB News
Special
Briefing
by Marcus Cleverton
As RGBB Members congregated in the Embassy
Hall for the 3rd Special Briefing of 2009, the
evening was to be a truly British affair, the guest
speaker being none other than Sir William Patey,
HMA to Saudi Arabia, supported by the sponsors
of the event, The Saudi British Bank (SABB).
On behalf of SABB, Abdulaziz Alhelaissi, General
Manager of Central Province, started proceedings
by emphasising the importance of British trade
in Saudi Arabia and that SABB were committed
to providing an excellent range of Corporate
and Personal banking products and services to
meet the needs of all customers in the Kingdom.
Further, SABB was proud of its employment record,
especially the high percentage of Saudi employees
and the recruitment of women who were starting to
occupy senior positions within the Bank.
Sir William then took centre stage and quipped
that the RGBB must have a desperate need for
speakers and “it’s good to be back here as the
guest of a dynamic and growing RGBB. 330
members isn’t it? I’ve heard new members are
now living in the streets and I’ve had to widen the
doors to get you all in. Seriously though, the size
of the RGBB is a good barometer of the health of
the business relationship with Saudi Arabia, which
is undoubtedly good. What we particularly value
is the unstinting support you give to the Embassy
and to me. We really are very grateful.
The Obama Presidency, specifically his policy
towards the Middle East, was the first major
subject on Sir William’s review of the political
and economic landscape. Starting with a few
reflections on Obama’s approach to the global
financial crisis, as in Sir William’s view, this is
where our problems started and where they will
probably end; “as we sit here a new American
President, elected on a promise of change, is
trying to persuade a reluctant electorate that the
$US780 billion stimulus package will succeed in
kick starting the economy. It’s a difficult message.
Bigger government in the US has always been
synonymous with higher taxation and job losses.
Since the election in November, the number of
Americans citing unemployment as the main
economic problem has risen from 10% to 42%
and unemployment is now more important than
the financial crisis. Americans care more about
the collapse of Caterpillar in Peoria, Illinois than
they do about Lehmann Brothers.”
Corporate ‘Fat Cats’ that have stolen many
headlines over the last year did not escape Sir
Williams attention; “and there have been some
notable own goals such as the three Motown
supremos [not to be confused with the Supremes
who actually made money in Detroit] taking
their Lear jets to a Congressional hearing into
corporate culpability.
Vikram Pandit [CEO
Citigroup] was under the impression that the
taxpayers’ cash injection into his ailing company
8
RGBB News
was to fund the replacement of his $US50 million
Gulfstream. One commentator asked if he was
ignorant or apathetic. Neither came the reply, he
just doesn’t know and doesn’t care!
“We have to wish Obama well as the recovery of
the world’s economies depend on his success but
the sobering measure is that implementation of
the stimulus package will raise the US National
Debt to $US11.3 trillion and the budget deficit
to 14% of GDP..The US used to be able to talk its
way out of recession, or at least grow out of it. To
grow out of this will require double digit growth
for 75 years! This is a perilous situation.”
Proceeding to prospects for global economic
recovery, Sir William cited “Clinton’s famous
epithet, ‘It’s the economy, stupid’. It always is
of course, but never more so than now when
we find ourselves in the worst global recession
since 1929. The London Summit this summer
will be looking for global agreement on means of
avoiding a repeat of the consequences of 1929,
i.e. the Great Depression.
The London Summit must succeed in getting
agreement on global regulation and supervision
to prevent the current crisis recurring. There
may be more difficulty persuading the US and
France than the newer members of the G20.
Remembering of course George Bernard Shaw’s
comment that ‘if economists were laid end to end
they would not reach a conclusion”.
Reflecting on Saudi Economy, Sir William
commented, “In February 2008 the Saudi
economy looked strong. There was a budget
surplus of £24 billion and barely any debt. The
world was enjoying steady economic growth,
double-digit in India and China. There were
whispers of ‘sub-prime’ problems in the US but
no-one really knew what this meant. In the UK
householders were still enjoying the seemingly
inexorable rise in property values. Well that didn’t
last. Northern Rock shocked the UK financial
sector to its roots and the collapse of Lehman
Brothers served the same purpose in the US. The
Chancellor made the right decision on Northern
Rock and the Treasury Secretary the wrong
decision on Lehman’s. If any one issue signalled
the seriousness of the situation to the Saudis it was
the failure of the US to support Lehman’s.
“If anyone had doubted that the tremors in the
banking sector were of less that cataclysmic
proportions, these doubts faded with the
unprecedented rise in oil prices which changed
almost overnight the way that the world would
now do business. In March Saudi Arabia’s
main concern had been domestic inflation which
peaked at 9.5%.
9
RGBB News
British Government and Industry in Saudi Arabia.
On this subject, Sir William emphasised the strong
business ties between Britain and Saudi, “despite
the global slowdown and the UK moving into
recession our bilateral trading relationship with
Saudi Arabia prospered in 2008. Overall our
visible exports grew by 21% to £2.3 billion. This
compares with an average growth of UK exports of
10% in the MENA region.
“By July oil prices which had started their upward
climb in June 2007 had reached $US 147 and
Saudi Arabia was generating a staggering $US 1
billion a day in oil revenues. Although oil prices
fell back as global growth slowed and the financial
crisis was recognised to be serious, how serious we
have yet to see, Saudi Arabia reaped the whirlwind
overspending its budget by £15 billion while still
recording a record surplus of £80 billion. “Saudi
Arabia managed 6% real GDP growth in 2008.”
Sir William’s views on the Banking Sector were of
particular interest to the audience. “One great
American, Thomas Jefferson, famously said ‘that
banks are more dangerous than standing armies
and that spending money to be paid by posterity
is nothing more than swindling on a large scale’.
The banking sector is inherently cautious in Saudi
Arabia and is believed to have relatively low
exposure to toxic debt. Most banks will have been
profitable this year, including SABB, but not all.
The global financial crisis has however affected
the Saudi Banks. Deposits have been lower than
expected and the international banks have kept to
their lending ratio of 85%, although it is not clear if
the Saudi Banks have.
“Interbank lending has been affected as it has
in the rest of the world. Not to the same extent
but no one believes all the skeletons have come
out of the cupboard yet. SAMA has acted to
increase liquidity, a lower reserve requirement,
and lower interest rates and capped Treasury Bills.
This is helping but not eliminating the caution.
Confidence has taken a knock. This is most clearly
seen in the Tadawul which registered a 50% fall
last year. It has nevertheless continued to liberalise
opening this year to individual foreign investors
through swap agreements. The lack of funding
has seen some company casualties so there are
continuing concerns.
Anyone connected with the Embassy would know
the enormous amount of interest expressed by
10
“We have continued to run a successful trade
mission programme to the extent that many of
our regular visitors are increasing the regularity
of their visits. The number of UK professional
companies investing in the Kingdom has increased
and continues to grow; Norton Rose, Denton Wilde
Sapte, Herbert Smith and others have set up this
year. RSA has received their Royal Decree and
BA has announced its return to the market after
our ASA was renegotiated to massively increase
flight frequencies between the two countries. We
are working with many others wanting to establish
themselves here.
Senior visitors in 2008 have included the Lord
Mayor of London who returned last month and
the Minister for Trade, Lord Digby Jones, who
came in March 2008. Most significantly the
Prime Minister came twice in 2008, for the Energy
Ministerial Meeting in July and then in November
accompanied by Lord Mandelson, Ed Miliband and
probably the most powerful business delegation to
cross these shores.
Trade Missions and group visits for the first half of
the year are approaching record levels. There is
at least one a week well into May. Direct flights
between Saudi Arabia and the UK will be more
than doubling.”
The presentation was very well received by the
members who then addressed more serious issues
in the Q&A session, such as, “could Sir William do
anything about the current shortage of tonic water
in the Kingdom?” Of course, time has resolved
this issue as the flow of this particular beverage has
returned to normal levels. My only disappointment
of the evening was that this truly British affair was
not complemented by clotted cream scones!
Special
Briefing
continued
RGBB News
Auctions, Rugby, Signatures and Mother’s Day
Words by Chris Evans
Photos by Nick Watson
“6000 Riyals, 6500, 7000, 7500,” can’t let a
Scotsman take home a rugby shirt signed by
Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Leonard..”8000
SR…any more bids….SOLD.”
The initial thought was what have I done? Or as
one friend put it “nutter!” Had I known what was
to come the grin would have been wider than the
Ambassador’s garden.
Fast forward a few days with the shirt hanging in
pride of place on the living room wall and suddenly
a desperate flurry of messages that I need to call
Rob Lickley at BMI urgently. The next few moments
will live with me for a long time.
“Are you able to fly to the UK tomorrow night and
come back next Monday?”
“I’m sure I can arrange it.”
“Excellent as we’d like you to come to the Calcutta
Cup game at Twickenham on Saturday, by the way
bring your dinner jacket as we’ll be going to the
players dinner afterwards too!”
Wow. Let’s face it there isn’t really any other word to
use – well, not that can be printed anyway!
With so little time for it to settle in the next day flew
by and I was soon on a very busy BMI flight to
Blighty courtesy of the England rugby team’s official
airline.
I arrived at Heathrow Terminal 1 and spent the
Riyadh weekend catching up with the family before
rendezvousing with Rob at Twickenham, via a swift
half with Andrew Mead and Graham Deane, and
we wandered up to the BMI hospitality suite for
12
lunch before the game. The selection of food
was excellent ranging from steak and kidney pies
to some very attractive looking deserts. We also
had a plan to fulfil, so when fed and watered, we
wandered down to the Rugby store and purchased
several rugby shirts including one which has now
been auctioned at the ICING Summer Charity
Fundraiser.
We returned to corporate hospitality for what
proved another treat, after all it’s not everyday
you get to meet one of your rugby heroes. Richard
Hill the England and Saracens legend walked in to
give a question and answer session and one day I
will find the photo taken of myself with England’s
greatest ever backrower.
It was time to take our seats overlooking the halfway line. I’ve been to Twickenham many times
during the course of the rebuilding work but the
sight that now greats you when you see the finished
article is truly magnificent. Twickenham is finally the
great theatre for rugby it was designed to be.
I could at this point describe the game, but I rather
enjoy being able to attend functions at the British
Embassy. Suffice to say Scotland didn’t win (26-12
wasn’t too bad though).
At the final whistle the Calcutta Cup was presented
and thoughts turned to the other match about to
kick-off. Would Ireland finally, after all these years,
win a grand slam?
Back up to the lounge and the big screens, possibly
a couple of light refreshments too, and the final
game of the 2009 Six Nations. It proved to be
RGBB News
an excellent game with the Ireland team finally
securing their place in history (and most of the Lions
places too!).
Just enough time for a quick change into dinner
jackets and myself, Rob, Nick Watson and Andrew
Mead made our way round to the new Marriott hotel
built into the stadium itself. This has now opened
permanently and, from the areas we saw, promises
to be a top quality hotel for many years to come.
At this point a theme started to be developing as
we headed straight for the bar! Myself and Andrew
had other ideas though, after all we’d fought our
way through the Rugby Store to get the shirts for the
Icing Ball, the time had come to add the signatures.
Pens and shirts at the ready, get set….GO!
The list of current and ex-players was amazing. To
list who politely put up with the harassment of having
to sign the shirts is too long to mention. There were
a few shocked looks from the likes of Graham
Rowntree and Bill Beaumont when they realized
we’d travelled 3,500 miles to be there though.
Once again Richard Hill and Jason Leonard gave
up their time to chat about rugby and share a couple
of drinks and helped secure the vital few moments to
get Martin Johnson’s autograph.
Then to the dinner. Speeches, excellent food, good
wine and the challenge from Andrew that I couldn’t
get any of the Scotland team to sign an England shirt!
Thankfully this time I won and am grateful to Chris
Patterson and the Scotland coach who resigned
two days later, Frank Haddon, for signing the small
England shirt for my 18-month old nephew. It is now
hanging on his bedroom wall just outside Prague.
However, Andrew had found one final challenge. He
noticed that the England player’s bus had turned up
and the players were slowly filtering outside under
the guiding hand of Graham Rowntree. What better
place to get some more autographs? It didn’t quite
turn out that way as the players already on the bus
didn’t want to be disturbed, I did manage to get
the bus driver’s autograph on the back of a shirt
though. Then we spotted our final signature of the
night, one that has since proved to be a surprise
inclusion in the lions squad, I wonder if Simon Shaw
knew he was going to be selected when he took the
time to chat before he got on the bus?
Our day at Twickenham was slowly drawing to a
close. Twelve hours of magnificent hospitality from
BMI, new friends made and watching rugby, I’ve
had worse!
This still left one more day in England before
returning to Riyadh. Coincidently it just happened
to be Mother’s Day or as it will now be referred
to ‘Mother’s Day sponsored by BMI’. I was able
to take my parents out for an excellent meal at a
Tapas restaurant in Croydon (if you want the details
it is well worth the trip, but take a taxi as the wine
selection is superb).
Thank you to all at BMI who made me feel so
welcome from the moment I arrived at Riyadh
airport to the moment I arrived back. It was a very
special few days and also made me a very popular
son.
BMI is the official sponsor of the England Rugby
Team and has 6 direct flights from Riyadh to London
weekly as well as flights to Jeddah and Dammam.
13
RGBB News
Revisiting Baghdad
My wife and I have been contemplating taking three
of our children on a trip to Baghdad for quite some
time to see the family and see the changes that have
taken place since the American invasion of 2003
but have been waiting for improvements in the
security situation. The news in the first quarter of this
year have been encouraging and feedback from
those who had visited recently was positive enough
for us to prepare for the trip during the children’s
Easter break. My 13-year old daughter was rather
concerned about the journey and nervous of
travelling to a place with car bombs and suicide
bombers to such an extent that she offered to stay in
Riyadh on her own but at the end she came round
to the idea. In the event she enjoyed herself so
much there that she would like to go again.
The first step of most journeys is the acquiring of the
visa and I was expecting the process to be a lengthy
one. In the event it was very simple as we applied to
the Iraqi embassy in Riyadh in the normal way and
had the required stamp in each of the five passports
within one day. In fact, the staff at the embassy were
extremely helpful and efficient.
The next step was planning the route as there are
no direct flights between Riyadh and Baghdad even
though it is only a couple of hours of flying time
between the two cities. After considering all available
alternatives we decided to fly via Beirut. The journey
took two days each way with an overnight stop over
in Beirut. Fortunately the first leg of the journey to
Beirut with NAS was uneventful albeit later than
schedule but the flight from Beirut to Baghdad with
a little known company called Flying Carpet was
more exciting and extremely tiring. The company
operates what should be scheduled flights between
Copenhagen and Baghdad via Beirut three times a
week. Our flight from Beirut was 3 hours late taking
off and the airplane had to return to the airport
10 minutes after being in the air as it developed
a technical fault. The usual “it will only take 10
minutes to fix” became an eight hour wait that
meant leaving Beirut at 4:00 pm instead of 8:00
am and arriving at Baghdad International Airport at
around 6:00 pm. We were all exhausted yet pleased
to be at the end of this part of the journey. Although
we were tired we were in a much better state than
those travelers who had been on that same small
aircraft from Copenhagen almost from the night
before. Fortunately passport and baggage claim
formalities at Baghdad International Airport were
relatively brief and quick such that we were outside
the terminal building within approximately 30
minutes from landing to be met by a pre-arranged
authorised airport taxi. After an exhausting day at
Beirut airport it was a relief and quite pleasant to be
met by very polite and courteous staff at Baghdad
airport.
14
The journey from the airport to our final destination
in Baghdad took approximately one hour as we had
to go through many security check points. It was a
huge shock to see Baghdad so run down compared
to the city we saw seven years earlier. The high
security walls and police / army checkpoints that
are manned by very polite, helpful and relaxed
personnel broke up the city in an ugly way and
added to the misery of driving along congested
roads that have not been maintained due to
years of sanctions and wars. However, there are
signs of improvements as some roads were being
resurfaced, pavements being repaired and garbage
being collected off the streets but it will take time to
address all that needs to be addressed.
Despite all the hardship and difficulties Baghdadis
have adapted to the situation and learnt to live very
well with daily power cuts, congested roads and
frequently interrupted traffic caused by convoys of
armoured military vehicles that are either on patrol
or on their way to defuse a suspected car or roadside
bomb. People are fed up with war and killing and
they just want to be left alone to get on with life. As
a result of events of the last five years most Iraqis
have become suspicious of neighbouring countries
and their contribution to the death and destruction
that has taken place.
Baghdad has many shopping thoroughfares with
shops that are well stocked with goods and foods
albeit expensive when compared to current average
income and with prices during the years of sanctions
when the government provided a limited range of
items at subsidized prices. In the late afternoons
and evenings streets are full with shoppers or
people just strolling along, a good indication of a
normal city life.
by Dr. Faez Tuma
RGBB News
Images clockwise from
left: Standing Guard
at a checkpoint,
Above: An outdoor
Cafe
Below: A vendor
serving tea by the
roadside, Buying Fish
from a roadside tank.
No visit to Baghdad is complete without eating
Masgoof, local river or tank fish that is cleaned, flat
opened and placed near a wood fire by stakes to
cook slowly and then served on a platter of bread
or rice with delicious pickles and greens. Baghdad
is also well known for the various types of kebabs
(skewered meat or chicken cooked on charcoal)
and I recommend the offerings of the Samad
Restaurant in the Al-Mansoor district.
Although life is difficult Baghdadis are more
positive and optimistic about the future than they
were nine years earlier when I visited Baghdad
during the Saddam era. Most people are hopeful
that as the political situation stablises and the
various municipalities establish themselves and
their respective programs of work and civil
projects Baghdad and the rest of Iraq will recover
from years of neglect and bad management and
governments.
We wanted the children to see the countryside
outside Baghdad so for $300 we hired a driver and
an SUV for three days to visit some others cities. It
was a pleasant excursion to about 100 miles south
of Baghdad and it was noticeable that these cities
were more relaxed than Baghdad. Streets were
bustling with people and street traders offering their
wares. The roads were good but interrupted by
security checkpoints before and after every town or
village. The countryside is flat with many rivers and
streams zigzagging across it making the area fertile
and green but interspaced by patches of yellow
desert. As the roads snake through the countryside
they are lined on either side by farms, fruit orchards,
orange groves and palm trees. This part of Iraq and
the area further south are rich with history and
monuments of ancient times where early civilization
started. In addition to relics of the Babylonian and
Sumerian eras there are many shrines of various
saints and prophets such as Jonah and Abraham
and ancient temples some of which with original
Hebrew markings still visible. As places of worship
with many millions of visitors every year the shrines
and the areas around them were clean, well
maintained and well looked after.
During our stay the weather was pleasant albeit dry
and somewhat dusty as it is expected for the time of
year except for the last day when it rained heavily
all the way back to the airport for the return leg of
the journey. The journey to the airport to fly back to
Beirut meant going through very tough check points
where the security staff were more thorough and
detailed than those at other checkpoints that we
had come across during our travel in the previous
week.
On balance it was a good trip but it was sad to see
Baghdad so run down and broken up into small
isolated districts. On the other hand there is hope
that the place will rise from the ashes again as
people get to grip with their own responsibilities and
decide for themselves the course that the country
will run.
As a footnote I asked the children the other day
what they remembered most about the trip to Iraq
the thirteen year old said the tiring journey from
Beirut to Baghdad, the twelve year old said that she
remembered the shrines with the golden domes,
shopping and seeing the family and the youngest
five year old said he remembered seeing the family
and the toys he was given.
15
RGBB News
2009 Summer Charity Fundraiser
by Andrew Mead
A generous SR15,000 donation from the Riyadh
Community Theatre kicked-off the events in
Riyadh’s best garden late in May when the ICING
team pulled off yet another spectacular evening to
raise cash for Children in Need. Gail Tisdale and
Phil Atkinson are pictured above presenting their
cheque to HMA Sir William and Lady Patey.
The garden had been beautifully decorated by
William and Philipa Kirkpatrick and their team who
had created a unique setting for the many guests
to part with their hard earned cash in support of
ICING’s drive to coordinate charitable efforts in the
community.
Commercial support for the evening had come from
a host of sponsoring companies and organisations
including, Al Hokair, Arcom, AXA, BAE, bmi, La
Vida Havana, Dirab Golf Course, Electro, Maaden,
Neovartis, Riyadh Round Table, SABB, sama, the Al
Khozama Hotel, the Riyadh Sheraton Hotel and the
Crowne Plaza Hotel in Bahrain.
The number of volunteers and helpers is of course
enormous and without their assistance the event
simply wouldn’t happen. Luke Bowen and Simon
Messum had been instrumental in coordinating
catering and sponsorship, Chris Durbridge and his
team provided diversionary play before and after
dinner whilst Mike Donavan and Dave Gosney did
their usual bit on stage to entertain during the entire
evening.
Owain, Ian, Marcus, Gary, Steve, Graham & Olaf
all assisted on the night with everything from Gate
Duty to Bid Spotting. In addition, a number of
individuals made personal contributions of both
cash and gifts which covered much of the costs for
staging the event and provided prizes for the raffle
and items for the auction.
Rob Wood, Shadi Sanbar, Zaher Al Munajed,
Steve Wilson, Simon Marshall, and Simon Ward
all contributed in their own way. Graham Deane
and Andrew & Angeline Turner were among those
who made personal contributions which generated
a terrific response from the auction participants as
18
was Sean McPoland, who had attended the Bahrain
F1 earlier in the year obtaining Lewis Hamilton’s
signature on a souvenir shirt which was sold at
auction for SR12,000. Quite how the Swedish
Ambassador’s waistcoat came up for sale will
remain a mystery to many of us but thanks to Noura
Al Haider’s winning bid, it seemed to have been
returned to him by the time the night was over!
Among those sponsors attending on the night, the
British School PTA, represented by Andrea Corbett,
made a generous donation from the proceeds of
their own party, adding to a similar amount already
donated by John and Helen Leifer on behalf of the
Sulaimaniyah Hash earlier in the year.
In bidding for the Scottish Rugby Shirt and the Pet
Rock, the Caledonian Society of Riyadh matched the
St. Georges Society donation of SR25,000, slightly
exceeding the Al Misehal table who in addition
to their sponsorship collectively paid for three
separate auction items. The figure was exceeded
only by Majid Fustok who confirmed the Fustok
family’s continuing support for ICING by making
the winning bids on two of the signed sports shirts to
add to his collection of sporting memorabilia.
This years team of ICEMAIDENS pictured below
included Fflur, Helen, Natalie, Kirsty, Alison, Rachel,
RGBB News
Andrea and Trish who achieved an amazing total of
SR 50,250 in raffle ticket sales, which exceeded all
previous ICING raffle figures.
being incorrectly identified by the auctioneer as
Matt White) a first timer at an ICING event, was
successful in securing the package for SR5000.
Special mention must also be made of Peter
Howarth-Lees and Smile Productions. Peter had
pledged SR20,000 on the evening as a donation
from the LOL Comedy Tour. However, following a
successful tour, the amount actually donated came
to SR30,000, a truly magnificent contribution.
Another post event contribution was made by
Dianne Baxter on behalf of the team at Al Romaizan
Compound who donated profits from their own
bash earlier in the month.
The Alkhozama Hotel provided dinner on the
evening, which was widely acclaimed as being
among the best food in town at any price! Erik
Huyer, Simon Coley and the Alkhozama team
worked along with Gilbert and the staff from the
Embassy to engineer a superb level of service.
The first prize in the raffle was won by Dave Shaw,
a worthy winner since he had contributed to the
event by donating one of the other prizes. Dave,
seen centre right, collected his prize voucher from
Richard Groves from SABB and Rachel Start from
sama.
Below, Left to Right;
David Letts,
Lynne Charnley,
Bennie Burger and
Margaret Luckman
were among the many
prize winners.
The counting is almost over and when all the
pledges are met, we will have collected an
additional SR340,000 to distribute to worthy causes
this year. We’ll bring you details of where the money
goes in the next edition.
Olaf Brinkman, obviously intent on treating his wife
Philipa, was successful in outbidding many others
(including Gary Richardson who attempted to
compete by telephone), for the superb package of
flights to and accommodation in Palma generously
donated by bmi and the Sheraton Hotel.
One raffle prize winner, David Letts who had won a
series of rounds at Dirab, generously surrendered
his prize for auction and Richard Zeverona, (despite
19
RGBB News
Saudi Arabia will play part in recovery
viewed as a direct stimulus to the global economy.
These long-term projects will help maintain an
expatriate workforce in Saudi Arabia rather than
prompt the kind of exodus we are seeing in some
other GCC states.
The nation’s defence procurement programme also
continues to provide jobs and revenues for many
western companies. At least $220bn is likely to be
recycled abroad in the form of imports, contracts or
labour transfers. According to official data, over the
past six years Saudi Arabia has imported more than
$335bn worth of goods. We estimate that since
2003, more than $100bn has been officially and
unofficially remitted by expatriate workers.
As the world’s leaders meet in London to seek ideas
and funds in order to prevent a systemic collapse
of the global economy, many eyes have turned to
Saudi Arabia as an obvious source of cash.
The kingdom’s contribution to rescuing the global
financial system has been far from negligible.
It is investing more than $70bn to bring its oil
production capacity to 12.5m barrels a day by the
end of this year.
More than 40 per cent of the new total capacity
will remain unused so that global consumers can
tap into it at a later stage. Saudi Arabia’s current
control of production capacity makes Tehran and
Moscow, to name but two, completely dependent
on its adjustments.
Saudi Arabia has used its status as the world’s swing
producer benignly. Its leaders have understood for
decades that their interests are intertwined with the
prosperity of the world economy and that excessive
prices and the accompanying volatility are counter
to the kingdom’s long-term interests.
Saudi Arabia has helped maintain moderation
within Opec, which has resulted in lower gasoline
prices around the world. Lower pricing at petrol
pumps is perhaps the most effective way in which the
kingdom can aid recovery. Compared to the record
highs of last year, lower petrol prices are currently
adding an extra $200 of extra per capita income on
a monthly basis.
Also, by maintaining an oil-price floor at about
$40 per barrel, Saudi Arabia is ensuring that the
economies of the rest of the Gulf Co-operation
Council run roughly balanced budgets and thereby
act as engines for the global economy.
This year the kingdom announced a sharply
expansionary budget to maintain domestic
demand. Its $400bn worth of infrastructure projects
earmarked for the next five years should also be
20
This article by John
Sfakianakis was
published in the FT in
April 2009
So what will Saudi officials be pushing for at the G20
summit in London? First and foremost, the kingdom
will fight against protectionism and unilateralism.
Having joined the World Trade Organisation, Saudi
officials understand that trade barriers need to be
flattened so that the wheels of the world’s economy
can keep turning.
“We should not have policies of beggar thy
neighbour,” as one minister put it to me ahead of
the meeting.
The kingdom wants better financial regulation and
believes that progress in mitigating the excesses of
the global financial system cannot be addressed
without more oversight. But it does not want control
to curb competition.
Saudi officials are also likely to support the
arguments of Germany and France, who have
argued for stronger regulation of hedge funds and
derivatives – although they recognise that these
instruments cannot be driven out of existence. Many
Saudi businesses have been hurt by their exposure
to these vehicles and instruments. In contrast, we
should view the conservative policies of the Saudi
Arabian Monetary Agency in regulating local
financial institutions as a policy to be emulated.
The kingdom is also likely to oppose those countries
proposing a “green” recovery or a low-carbon
agenda. The world cannot afford to choose the
colour of its recovery.
Finally, in representing the GCC states, Saudi will
look to defend the interests of sovereign wealth funds
that have played a significant role in maintaining
financial stability and confidence so far. Many SWFs
from the GCC have invested in financial institutions
whose shares have plummeted.
The kingdom, whose central bank is now the world’s
largest holder of foreign assets, is likely to be keen
to maintain access to global markets.
John Sfakianakis
is chief economist at
Saudi Arabia’s
SABB Bank.
RGBB News
Saudi Arabia’s Lessons Learned
The economic boom in the gulf countries over the
past few years — fueled by the continuous rise of oil
prices between 2003 and 2008 — helped put the
region on the global economic map. In some ways,
the boom became captive to a “mine is bigger than
yours” syndrome. Competing states embarked on
advertising campaigns and hired in public-relations
firms to tout their wares. Developers and rulers
alike pushed artificial islands (Dubai, Abu Dhabi,
Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait), and in many places real
estate became the main economic activity. Officials
promoted their cities as financial hubs as a way
to diversify away from oil. Hundreds of millions
of dollars were poured into national air carriers
and airports, which were seen both as a source of
national pride and as another way to expand the
energy-dependent economies.
While oil revenues were flowing, sovereign wealth
funds acquired foreign assets with the flair of
peacocks. The humility that typified the past was
supplanted by conspicuous consumption. Yes, all
that infrastructure and new property that was built
still exists — but its quality and engineering is, in
many cases, dubious.
In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s institutional memory of
the boom and bust cycle served it well during what
was the kingdom’s third great oil boom of the past
four decades. After the high prices of the 1970s,
Saudi Arabia’s economy went through a longdrawn-out slowdown as oil revenues plummeted for
most of the 1980s. After a spike when Iraq invaded
Kuwait, prices weakened again in the 1990s, even
as Saudi struggled to pay off its (large) chunk of
the bill for the first Gulf War. At the height of the
Asian financial crisis in 1998, oil prices had fallen
to just $12 a barrel. This meant that Saudi Arabia
— which sells its precious black gold at a discount,
on average — was getting just $7 a barrel. Deficit
financing was the only solution, and the government
started borrowing at home and abroad. By 1999,
Saudi Arabia’s government debt was bigger than
its economy. And then came 9/11, which drove the
final nails into the coffin of the country’s image. A
series of terrorist attacks inside the country added to
the sense of chaos. Some predicted the end of the
House of Saud.
But when oil prices started to rise in 2003, Saudi
Arabia was ready. For one thing, the Saudi Arabian
Monetary Agency, the country’s central bank,
had greatly expanded the number of well-trained
national staffers. Second, it had at its helm officials
who remembered the bad days of low oil revenues.
That meant that when the oil gushers were turned
up again, money was saved and not aggressively
spent as elsewhere in the region. The nation’s
wealth was also placed in very liquid investments,
24
predominantly U.S. government paper assets, rather
than real estate. While other regional investment
funds were buying into international banks, Saudi
Arabia was purchasing U.S. government bonds, or
paying down its debt. The country can tap into those
liquid assets while its neighbors are struggling to sell
their investments in banks, equities and companies
— Saudi’s debt now stands at just 13% of the total
size of its economy.
Third, King Abdullah, though often criticized as
being too “frugal,” has stuck to sensible spending.
It is this that has saved Saudi Arabia. Even the
ambitious economic cities that were announced at
the end of 2005 were private-sector initiatives, not
state-financed ones.
Fourth, the banking sector, thanks to its experience
during the 1990s, has taken a conservative
approach to lending, and remains highly
unleveraged. Importantly, real estate in Saudi
Arabia did not experience the same bubble that
occurred in the country’s neighbors; as a result
consumers and lenders have been protected.
Fifth, during the boom years, Saudi Arabia invested
more than $70 billion in expanding its oil production
capacity to 12.5 million barrels per day, not only to
secure its future but also to address global supply
imbalances.
To be sure, the two stock market slumps in 2006
and 2008 created negative wealth effects. Highnet-worth businessmen have been hit by the current
global financial crisis. But there is no doubt that
the macroeconomic picture is solid and healthy.
Over the next five years Saudi Arabia has outlined
a $400 billion spending program. In a decade or
thereabouts, Saudi Arabia will become a $1 trillion
economy and will be better placed than the rest
in the region to capitalize on its knowledge and
strengths. During the boom years, some critics said
Saudi Arabia should become more like Dubai. Now
the rest of the region might want to become a bit
more like Saudi Arabia.
Editors Note: In his
second article for
this edition, John
Sfakianakis
the
chief economist of
the Saudi British
Bank (SABB) has
graciously allowed
us to reproduce an
article
originally
published in Time
magazine during
May.
RGBB News
Annual
Prize
Giving
at BISR
On Tuesday 16th June, the British International
School staged its Annual Prize Giving, the first
since the completion of its splendid new school hall
facility. The School was delighted when the RGBB
Chair Owain Raw-Rees accepted their invitation to
be guest of honour and award the prizes.
a ‘parting shot’. Tamara Siyam Lewis, Rachel
Keogh and Yazdan Chowdhury, delivered excellent
speeches to the large assembly of teachers, parents
and students in the hall, reflecting on their years at
the school and expressing thanks for all that they
had achieved and experienced during that time.
Prizes are awarded to students in recognition of
academic excellence and achievement in all subject
areas. Prizes are also awarded to students who have
made a particular contribution to the vibrancy of
the school through such activities as sport, business
endeavour and fundraising for charity. To this end
a number of students received ‘student citizenship
awards’.
Another part of the proceedings was the reading, by
Year 9 student Anna Kulach of some of her poems.
Anna is a Polish teenager, who joined the school
in 2004. Until then, she could hardly speak any
English. Soon after her arrival in Saudi Arabia, she
developed a passion for and showed a particular
talent for writing poetry. She read, beautifully and
emotionally from her first volume of published
poems, ‘Just A Person’.
The occasion is also the last official event for Year
11 students who have just taken their IGCSE public
examinations. Three students were invited to deliver
The occasion concluded with a speech from Owain
Raw-Rees. He congratulated the prize-winners and
those who had spoken. He explained the role of
the RGBB and spoke about some recent events and
fundraising activities. He then spoke to the student
body and delivered some appropriately uplifting
and humorous ‘pearls of wisdom’. Having been a
great supporter of the school and in particular of
the International Award for Young People, Mr RawRees expressed his pleasure that the award scheme
was thriving in the school. He took the opportunity
to say bon voyage to a group of students who were,
that very evening, flying to Cyprus to undertake their
Silver Level expedition in The Troodos Mountains.
Julian B Cottenden
Head of Secondary School
25
RGBB News
bmi celebrates 4 years in Saudi Arabia
bmi, the only British Airline to fly to all 3 international
gateways in Saudi Arabia hosted a dinner at
the British Ambassador’s residence in Riyadh to
celebrate 4 years of service in Saudi Arabia.
The purpose of the dinner was not only to celebrate
the 4 years, but also to promote the service
improvements that bmi have been developing
over the past year. Complimentary Chauffeur
Drive, Arrival and Departure Lounges at Heathrow,
Premium and 30 Minute Check-In at Heathrow
are just some of the enhancements that bmi have
introduced for its customers.
Speaking at the dinner was Peter Spencer, Managing
Director of bmi who said “ We all know the terrible
time that industry in general is experiencing at the
moment, and the airline industry is no different. We
do acknowledge however that there is a change
in the way people travel and what is expected is
better value, and I believe this is precisely what bmi
continues to offer its customers”.
Spencer also added “We all know that people
have a choice when they fly and there is increased
competition when chosing to fly to the UK, Europe
and North America, but by choosing bmi and
London Heathrow’s Terminal 1, there is no better
way“
This year bmi celebrates 4 years of service from
Riyadh, 3 years from Jeddah and 1 year from
Dammam.
26
RGBB News
RGBB
Sports
After a very busy year the RGBB sports team has
had a well deserved rest during the busy Spring/
Summer Ball period.
With the ball season at an end the summer
programme for sports begins in earnest on June 25th
with a pair’s golf tournament. This will be followed
by a singles tournament at Dirab golf course on
July 10th, with other events planned for August
and September. (dates and venues TBC) These will
all form part of the new RGBB Golf Society that is
being run by Robert Barnden.
As well as regular golf events during the summer
there will be cricket to take part in or spectate at as
well, because the RGBB 20/20 cricket league will
launch in July. The league will be launched with a
10/10 one day tournament. (Dates TBC)
We will also be launching a weekly water volley ball
RGBB
Golf
Society
night. The aim of this is to simply have fun during
the warm summer evenings, with no competitive
side to the activity. However following the success
of last years water volley ball tournament we plan to
hold another event in early August.
Other events planned for the summer include the
resumption of the pool teams matches against
Seder village (and any other challengers that would
like to play us), as well as darts &10 pin bowling.
As always please keep your eyes open for details
on these and other events in your RGBB emails, or
contact Gary Richardson via email on
[email protected]
If the activity you would like to participate in is not
mentioned please contact Gary to see if we can add
this to the list of events that we have planned over
the next few months.
The main winners of the event was the team of
Phil Pannell, Evan Weinand and Gary Richardson,
with an impressive score of 55. They actually went
around the tough championship course at Dirab 1
under par before handicaps were deducted. Second
place went to Shiela & Alistar Mcilry with a score of
58. They just beat Monica & Ralph Shiffer into third
place on the count back system.
The longest drive went to Raymond O’Neil, with
the ladies prize unclaimed on this occassion. The
nearest the pin prize was won by Monica Shiffer
with a great tee shot on the tricky down hill par 3
number 11 hole.
On 25th June the first golf event of the RGBB golf
society took place at Dirab Golf course. A mixed
field containing men and ladies of all abilities
competed in this Texas Scramble team event.
Texas scramble is a format where all players in a
team hit a tee shot, with the best shot selected as
the place to play the second shot from, and so forth.
The immaculate condition of the course led to some
impressive scoring despite the searing heat that was
endured by the players.
We would like to thank Bouchaib and his team
at Dirab for making us feel welcome once more
and preparing a course in such great condition,
especially with the heat making it difficult to keep
the course so green.With more events planned the
RGBB golf society will continue to go from strength
to strength over the coming months.
For details of the next event or to join the society
please contact Gary Richardson for more details.
Please also keep an eye open for emails with
details of other sports events that we have planned
over the coming months
27
RGBB News
The last edition’s attempt to get more of you telling
of your own experiences seems to have stimulated
some debate in many quarters.
Restaurant Review
by Andrew Mead
& Luke Bowen
Tina Cleverton writes in to tell us that one of her
favourites is the Copper Chandni - on the corner of
Thalia Street at the Dhabab Street intersection.
Although I’ve eaten in the ‘Men-Only’ section
downstairs, Tina tells us that the upstairs family
section is ‘Bollywood’ themed.
“The best part of the menu”, she says “is made up
of tandoori style dishes for vegetarians and non
vegetarians alike. Generous sized portions can be
made as spicy or as mild as you like.”
Apparently the food is typical of North Indian
cuisine and according to Tina, “The food is just
like good home Indian cooking with the staff and
service being pleasant and helpful.”
On our visit to the singles section, Luke & I enjoyed
washing the food down with the yoghurt based drink
known as Lassi. Although it is available in a sweet
variety blended with sugar, my own preference is for
the salty version with a variety of Indian spices.
All in all, excellent food, great ambience and
great value for money. Good for groups of 4 to 8
people.
Simon Messum is another correspondent for this
edition who wrote in with a review of Sushi Yoshi on
Dhabab Street.
“Sushi Yoshi is part of a chain, having 2 branches
in KSA; the first in Jeddah and now on Dhabab
Street in Riyadh. The décor is pretty bloody awful in
the singles section downstairs, but somewhat more
muted and to my mind better, upstairs in the family
section.
Once you have got over the lurid orange decoration
and plastic chairs, the menu comes as a welcome
distraction. Whether you enjoy the story of the Sushi
Yoshi family and their idiosyncrasies is open to
debate, but what isn’t is the service and the quality
of the food. The Asian staff seem to know their stuff
and the service is attentive and best of all, quick as
befits a Sushi bar.
The food is nicely presented on wooden serving
platters and is accompanied by the usual soy, ginger
and wasabe. The kids thought that the seaweed
salad was a bit grim, but the adults all agreed that
it was delicious. The Sushi Yoshi salad, with pieces
of salmon, shrimp and tuna was considered much
more acceptable by the younger contingent.
We followed the salads with some tempura shrimp
and vegetables. All were well cooked and the batter
was suitably light and non greasy. In fact, it was
generally very well done.
The sushi, sashimi, salads, maki and tempura were
all good and more importantly tasted and looked
fresh – always an issue when one is 250 miles from
the nearest sea! The children particularly like tuna,
so we tend to go heavy on the sashimi in any sushi
restaurant and in Sushi Yoshi, they were both very
happy with their fish.
Overall the whole family enjoyed this restaurant,
possibly not for the ambience, but certainly for the
food and the genuinely good and attentive service.
For once our children turned down the option of
a pudding and even the funky flavoured Japanese
import kit kat bars – so the food must have met with
their approval!
It’s not the cheapest meal in Riyadh, but it is nice to
eat sushi and sashimi and to my mind it’s worth it.
Sushi Yoshi do a take away and a delivery service
in neat (and very bright orange) boxes, so perhaps
also something to consider as an alternative to the
standard fast food lunches.”
I’m grateful to Simon as well for reviving another
interest and that was to get stuck in to some
traditional Saudi Fare.
Najd Village is one of those places in Riyadh that
you really should take your UK visitors, if only
to show them that Saudi cuisine is not a total
contradiction in terms! The old fashioned façade of
the restaurant is on Takhasussi Street, tucked away
between more modern looking buildings and is a
28
RGBB News
It’s pretty much men only most of the time but
families can apparently be accommodated if
booked in advance, tel 464 6530. This is a great
place to go with friends and particularly with visitors.
The food is fantastic and not the usual kebab and
humus that you get everywhere else. The meals
are not expensive and it is an experience, rather
than just another average meal in an average
restaurant.
Above: L to R
Saleeq and Jareesh
little hard to find as the signage is poor. However,
once you’ve found it, the old style wooden doors
open into a small museum type area which hints at
the ambience of the rest of the restaurant.
Helen & Chris write in to say “If your taste buds are
hankering after the best Chinese food in Riyadh then
head no further than the Riyadh Chinese Restaurant
(aka Mr. Cho’s) just off Circle Supermarket Street in
central Riyadh.”
Once inside the dining area is arranged into open
air floor seating behind low wall partitions or, for
those who prefer it, inside rooms; again with floor
seating, cushions etc. The rooms, and indeed the
whole restaurant, have mud brick walls in a Nejdi
style and are reminiscent of the earlier architecture
of the region.
Two large Red pillars mark the entrance and this
is in fact our favourite Chinese as well, Luke and I
have eaten there on several occasions, indeed most
recently only a few days ago. You may have to park
just around the corner but you’ll be grateful of the
short walk back to the car with a full stomach on
leaving.
The food in Najd village is traditional Saudi fare
with none of the usual Lebanese/Syrian food that
you will normally eat in Arabic restaurants. There is
a set menu if you are not sure what to order, but on
the last occasion we visited we were accompanied
by a Saudi from Riyadh who took great delight in
ordering his favourite dishes for us.
Helen goes on to say “The restaurant has a closeknit family feel to it enhanced by intricate carvings
on the ceiling, but the highlight is the food.
The food was delicious and apparently entirely
authentic to the region. My favourites are Saleek,
(or Saleeq) a cardamom infused chicken dish and
Jareesh, lamb with cracked wheat/oats cooked to
porridge; all washed down with Laban.
Must have dishes are the hot and sour soup, prawn
toast and mini spring rolls. Follow this with kindu
chicken and one or two other dishes from the
extensive menu and you won’t be disappointed. A
recent addition to the menu is Koodu. This consists
of a large bowl of broth placed in the middle of the
table. A wide selection of fresh ingredients is then
supplied to be cooked in the broth at your table.
The perfect dish for a larger group.”
Generally the service is excellent too, but on this
occasion it was a little slow; probably due to the
popularity of this restaurant. The waiters don’t
speak a lot of English but we all understood each
other enough to get by.
When Luke and I ate with a couple of friends last
week, we started with the soup and after sharing
five main dishes and a couple of jugs of Saudi
Champagne the bill came to about SR85 per
head.
The Riyadh Chinese also does deliveries and takeaways if you fancy sampling the delightful food at
home, or possibly in the office. tel:465 5451
One more to mention in this write-up is the Bourj Al
Hammam on Takhassussi south of the King Faisal
Hospital. Considered one of the best Lebanese
restaurants in the Kingdom, the name means ‘Tower
of Pigeons’ a reference to the house special - roast
pigeon stuffed with rice. Booking is essential since
it’s a popular venue both for lunch and dinner for
expats and locals alike. I had the ‘lunch special’
last week, Siyyadeh, delicately spiced fish served on
a bed of rice which was excellent, but leave some
room for the magnificent baklava sweets presented
on a trolley for you to take what you please. tel:
441 1401
29
RGBB News
Hotel Al Khozama’s Chef Gareth shares
his recipes with RGBB news readers
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the premier manager
of ultra-luxury hotels and resorts throughout the
world, has recently appointed Chef de Cuisine,
Gareth Carberry at Hotel Al Khozama in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia.
Chef Gareth brings to his new post a passion for
good food, a vibrant well organized personality
and a rich catering management experience. He
started his career in Dublin where he worked for
Bang Café and fine dining restaurant Shanahans
on the Green. Following more than 3 years
experience with Grand Hyatt Dubai as a Sous Chef
at the award winning Manhattan Grill and then at
the Market Café managing 30 chefs in 4 different
kitchens, he was hired by Tiara Palm Jumeira in
Dubai to organize the pre opening team and to be
in charge of 6 outlets.
At Hotel Al Khozama Gareth overlooks 5
restaurants with 18 chefs, and he takes personal
interest in talking with guests and having their input
for continuous development in the 5 outlets.
One of his and his guests’ favorite recipes is
“Chicken & Baby Spinach salad”, which he is glad
to share with RGBB news readers.
Chicken and Baby Spinach Salad
with warm dressing of veal bacon and mushrooms
Ingredients - Prepares 10 portions
100gr shallot diced or white onion
250gr veal bacon
300gr button mushroom (sliced)
50gr parmesan cheese (grated)
200gr egg (boiled and grated)
100ml balsamic vinegar
60ml Clarified butter
30ml lemon juice (see note below)
5ml Olive oil
10psc Chicken breast with bone
1kg baby spinach leaves
Salt and pepper
Garnish: Parmesan shavings, crispy veal bacon
Method
Step 1. Place a pan over medium heat and add the
olive oil. Season the chicken breast with salt and
pepper and place the chicken skin side down on
the hot pan. Leave for 2 to 3 minutes till the skin
has turned a golden brown colour. Turn the chicken
breast over and leave again for 2-3 mins. Place in a
preheated oven for 12 minutes or till cooked.
30
Step 2. While the chicken
breast is cooking, remove
and discard all stokes from
the baby spinach. Place in a
large bowl and add the grated
egg, parmesan cheese and
balsamic vinegar. Set aside
Step 3 To make the warm
dressing heat the clarified
butter in a frying pan with the
onions and mushrooms. Add
the veal bacon and fry for 1
minute. Finally add the lemon
juice and season with salt and
pepper.
Step 4. Pour the warm dressing into the bowl with
the spinach mixture and cover the bowl with the
pan. This will help to wilt the spinach leaves a little
and keep the salad warm.
Step 5 Remove the chicken from the oven and leave
to rest for 1 minute.
Step 6. To plate the dish. Remove the pan from the
top of the bowl and mix all the salad ingredients
together (the salad will not be really hot but just
warm) taste the salad to correct the seasoning.
Build the salad on one side of your plate. Cut your
chicken breast in large slices at an angle. Arrange
the chicken next to the salad like a fan shape.
Garnish the salad with parmesan shaving and some
crispy veal strips
Chef’s tips, Clarified butter is butter that has had
the milk solids and water removed. One advantage
of clarified butter is that it has a much higher smoke
point, so you can cook with it at higher temperatures
without it browning and burning. Also, without the
milk solids, clarified butter can be kept for much
longer without going rancid.
It is very easy to make.
Melt the butter slowly.
Let it sit for a bit to
separate. Skim off the
foam that rises to the
top, and gently pour
the butter off the milk
solids, which have
settled to the bottom.
Discard
the
milk
solids and place in a
container and use as
you please.
RGBB News
Mark Alexander
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Zied Hanayen
Mark Hereford
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Welcome
to new members
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HMA gets his K
In the Spring edition of the RGBB News we ran an
article noting the appointment of Her Majesty’s
Ambassador to Knight Commander of the Order of
St. Michael and St. George. The order is the sixth
most senior in the British honours system although
two of the more senior awards have not been in
use for some time. The most Illustrious Order of
St. Patrick still exists but was last awarded in 1934
and the Most Exalted Star of India has been in
disuse since that country’s independence in 1947.
Sir William was dubbed during a ceremony at
Buckingham Palace on 27 March.
It’s silly-season again
It’s the approach of the silly season again, that time
of the year when news is so short that journalists
are reduced to fabricating entire news stories says
the Independent Newspaper. But do you think you
could tell the difference between a real story and
an invented one? Well, this is your chance to find
out. Here are two news stories today, of which only
one has appeared in the press. But can you spot the
genuine one? Here we go!
1. Dr Otto Zubrik of Split University has invented
something which he claims works in the opposite
way to Viagra.
“Many men think that the most important thing
in the world is to increase their manhood, their
potency, their sexual powers, whatever you call
it, and for them I am sure it is true. But there are
other people for whom it is very important at certain
times to resist excitement. I am thinking of athletes
and other people whose kit leaves little to the
32
imagination. Especially when male actors have to
perform in the nude, it can ruin their performance
disastrously if they, um, rise to the occasion, as
it were. Now I have perfected a small pill which
guarantees several hours of non-activity.”
He is calling his product Niagra, as it makes
everything go down.
2. It was, said Dutch police, the most original
excuse they had ever encountered for speeding.
When they stopped a Dutch driver doing twice the
permitted speed in a 35mph zone, he claimed that
he had just washed his car and was trying to get it
dry. “Actually,” said the stolid Dutch police, “if you
want to dry your car, it is very effective to drive at the
legal 35mph as well. Also, it is quite effective just to
leave it parked in the open.”
Well, have you made your selection? Which one
had the ring of truth to you? Very good! It was the
Dutch driver. And before you write in and say it
sounds untrue, I didn’t actually say it was true. I just
said it had appeared in the papers.
AND
FINALLY