Korea-Saudi Newsletter

Transcription

ISSN : 2233 – 503X
25th Edition
March 2015
K orea - S audi N ewsletter
The Bridge over Asia
x
Publisher
Opinion
Special
Notice
National News
Publisher
우선 KSFS 를 대표하여 한국을 좋아하신 압둘라 국왕의 서거에 삼가 조의를
표합니다.
그리고 KSFS 는 사우디 국민의 존경을 받는 살만 국왕의 즉위를 축하 드립니다.
살만 국왕께서 인류 평화와 한반도 통일을, 그리고 양국 번영에 새 역사를
만들어 주시길 기도합니다.
인간은 300 만년 이상 늘 먹거리가 부족하여 기아상태로 살았다고 합니다.
한국도 사우디도 그러한 나라였습니다.
그러나 GOD 의 축복으로 사우디는
석유 생산으로, 한국은 잘살기 위해 가족을 두고 베트남으로, 독일로, 그리고 70 년대 1,2 차 오일 쇼크로 일어난
“중동 붐”때 많은 한국인이 사우디 에서 일을 할 수가 있었기에, 가난을 극복할 수가 있었습니다.
GCC 4 개국을 방문(3.1-8)한 박근혜 대통령이 3.3-4 간 사우디를 국빈 방문, 살만 국왕과 무크린 왕세제,
무하마드 나이프 제 2 왕위 계승자 등 최고위 인사들의 공항 영접을 받고, 한반도의 평화통일과 북 핵 문제
해결에 대한 사우디의 지지를 요청했습니다.
그리고 “제 2 의 중동 붐”을 기대하며, “가장 좋은 친구는 오래된 친구”라고 했습니다.
KSFS 가 창립 10 주년 기념으로 2014 년 서울에서 개최한 제 1 회 “한국-사우디 비즈니스 포럼”의 주제(Main
Concept)를 Co-creation & Convergence 로 하여, 한국이 3T(Transfer, Training, Test), 3I(Incubation,
Innovation, Improvement), 3P(Portal, Platf orm, Package)로 사우디와 함께 “Made in KSA” 제품을 생산,
동반 성장하자고 했는데 이번 대통령 방문으로 실현이 되어, 포럼 주관에 자부심을 가지고 기쁘게 생각합니다.
KSFS 는 서울 “한국-사우디 비즈니스 포럼”이 박근혜 대통령과 살만 국왕의 정상회담으로 결심을 맺었기에,
“제 2 의 중동 붐”은 시작이 되었다고 자부하며, 앞으로 양국의 문화, 역사 존중과 재발견으로 “과거를 알고 미래를
함께 개척”하는데 기여하고자 합니다.
다시 한번 살만 국왕의 즉위를 축하하며, 늘 건강하시길 기도합니다.
First of all, on behalf of KSFS, we offer heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the people of Saudi Arabia,
losing our leader, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz who loved Korea.
KSFS congratulate the new Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on his succession to the throne of the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia, being respected by the Saudi people.
We pray that the new King would pave the new pathway towards more prosperous history of two nations, peace of
mankind and unification of Korean Peninsula. It is known that the mankind has always been short of food, in the status of
famine, for 3 million years. Actually, Korea and the Kingdom has been one of the kind. But thanks to God, both country
was able to overcome poverty, Saudi being blessed with natural resources and Korea with hard work they have done
overseas in Vietnam, Germany and Saudi Arabia.
President Park visited Saudi Arabia (March 3-4) on her tour of four GCC countries (March 1-8). The President was greeted
from the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef,
asking for support on peaceful unification of Korean Peninsula and North Korea Nuclear issues.
Furthermore, expecting to see ‘The Second Middle East Boom’, she also mentioned that ‘oldest friend is the best friend’.
The ‘1st Korea-Saudi Business Forum’ held in Seoul, as part of 10th anniversary of KSFS establishment, was based on main
theme of Co-Creation & Convergence. We have proposed to make “Made in KSA” products in the Kingdom with
collaboration partnership with Korea’s 3T (Transfer, Training, Test), 3I (Incubation, Innovation, Improvement) and 3P
(Portal, Platform, Package). We are very much proud and delighted to see realization of such momentum materialized
during recent visit of President Park to the Kingdom.
KSFS is certain that “the Second Middle-east Boom” has already begun, starting from “Korea-Saudi Business Forum” and
recent fruitful meeting between President Park and the King Salman. We will continue to contribute to ‘know the past and
pioneer the future together’ based on respect and rediscovery of both countries’ long history and culture.
Sincere congratulations to inauguration of the new King Salman, and wish all the best.
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Korea-Saudi Friendship Society
Special
★ State Visit
President Park Geun-hye talks with Saudi King Salman bin
Abdulaziz Al Saud at the Erga Palace in Riyadh on Tuesday.
KOREA, SAUDI ARABIA TO PUSH FOR NUCLEAR REACTOR COOPERATION
RIYADH ― Leaders of South Korea and Saudi Arabia agreed on Tuesday to seek opportunities to build more than two
small- and medium-sized nuclear reactors in the Gulf nation to forge bilateral cooperation in atomic energy ― projects
that may be worth as much as $2 billion.
During the summit talks, President Park Geun-hye and the newly crowned King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud discussed
ways to upgrade bilateral relations by strengthening cooperation in energy, creative economy, investment, medical
services and information technology. Park arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, after wrapping up a three-day visit to
Kuwait. Saudi Arabia is second destination of her four-nation Middle East trip, which will also include UAE and Qatar.
After the summit, the two leaders observed the signing of a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing South
Korea’s SMART reactors and commercializing its technology in order to jointly enter the global market. The SMART
reactors, designed by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, was developed to target the Middle Eastern countries
as it generates electric power and also desalinates sea water. Under the agreement, the two countries are set to conduct
a three-year preliminary study by 2018 to review the feasibility of constructing SMART reactors in Saudi Arabia.
“The agreement is expected to open opportunities for South Korean firms to participate in Saudi Arabia’s nuclear reactor
project,” said An Chong-bum, Park’s senior secretary for economic affairs.
With the agreement, the South Korean government expects to win $2 billion worth of nuclear reactor deals in Saudi
Arabia and additional orders in the future. If realized, it will be the world’s first case of small- and medium-sized reactors
being exported to a foreign country, officials said. The world’s largest producer and exporter of oil plans to build more
than 12 18-gigawatt nuclear power plants by 2040 to prepare for growing domestic demand for electricity and to secure
new energy sources.
Taking advantage of Park’s visit to Saudi Arabia, the two sides agreed to introduce South Korea’s vision of a creative
economy aimed at nurturing creative ideas and assimilating them with ICT, science and technology and other industries.
On the business level, representatives agreed to establish a medical center specializing in women’s cancer and a
pharmaceutical industry complex.
The leaders also exchanged their views on security issues and agreed to cooperate on bringing peace to the Korean
Peninsula and the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is a South Korean ally that has no diplomatic ties with North Korea. Later in
the afternoon, president met Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz al-Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, second in line
to the throne of Saudi Arabia, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral ties. On her second day in Saudi Arabia, Park plans
to meet Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, chairman of Kingdom Holding Co. of Saudi Arabia and popularly known
as the Warren Buffett of the Middle East.
Korea Herald(3 March.2015)
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SAUDI ARABIA SOVEREIGN FUND TO INVEST IN POSCO E&C
Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is forecast to take a big stake in POSCO Engineering &
Construction. “The deal is included in a comprehensive partnership agreed between PIF and POSCO,’’ a company official
said on Wednesday.
POSCO chairman Kwon Oh-joon (left) and Public Investment Fund secretary
general Abdulrahman Almofadhi pose after signing a memorandum of
understanding to form a comprehensive partnership in such business areas as
automobiles, construction, energy and IT.
Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to form a joint partnership at a meeting on the sidelines of
President Park Geun-hye’s visit to Saudi Arabia with leaders of South Korean businesses.
The deal is valued at around 1.5 trillion won ($1.36 billion), as there is speculation that the steelmaker is seeking to sell a
40 percent stake in its construction arm to raise funds to improve its financial health, capital market watchers said.
The partnership with the state-run fund will reach out to other sectors beyond the construction sector, including the
automotive, energy and information and communications technology, the company said.
“Both firms had similar understandings to prepare for the “post-oil era,’’ the steelmaker’s officials said in a statement.
For partnership in the auto sector, Daewoo International, a trading subsidiary of POSCO, agreed with PIF to invest 60
billion won to acquire 15 percent stake in Saudi Arabia’s state-run carmaker that will be established in the near future. If
the deal is realized, POSCO will be the third-largest shareholder in the car company. POSCO officials said the project is
part of the MOU but nothing has been confirmed as of yet. If the deal proceeds as planned, POSCO expects to improve
its financial soundness and secure new growth engines from the construction and automobile segments, a goal set by
POSCO CEO Kwon Oh-joon since taking office in 2013. The Saudi Arabian company has recently been seeking to ways to
cope with the fast-changing energy industry, POSCO said. Saudi Arabia is the fourth-largest trading partner of South Korea
with the total trade volume between the two countries reaching $46.5 billion in 2013.
Korea Herald(4 March.2015)
RIYADH, SEOUL EYE TRADE EXPANSION
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has called on Saudi and Korean businesspeople to diversify commercial
cooperation with an emphasis on nuclear energy, renewable energy, education and health care.
Park said she hoped the two countries would drive the development of the energy industry over the next 20 years. She
was speaking at a crowded Saudi-Korean Business Forum here.
The high-profile gathering was attended by several top Saudi and Korean officials, and 300 business leaders from both
countries. These included Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of commerce and industry; and Ibrahim Al-Assaf, minister of finance.
Abdullatif A. Al-Othman, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA); Korean Ambassador Kim
Jin-soo; Abdulrahman Al-Zamil, chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers; and Park Youngmaan, chairman of the Korean
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, were also present.
Park also held separate talks with Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company. She met members
of the Korean community and answered their questions in a separate session at a local hotel. Later on Wednesday
afternoon, the South Korean president met with Hashim Abdullah Yamani, chief of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and
Renewable Energy, who has been leading Saudi Arabia’s plans to construct nuclear power plants.
The Korean ambassador told Arab News that “a total of 12 agreements — both public and private sector — have been
signed so far.” This includes a joint study on water desalination, and further agreements in the construction and
automobile industries.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and POSCO Engineering and Construction, an affiliate of the South Korean steel
giant, signed an MoU to help the Kingdom develop its own car industry. The deal could be worth around SR4.8 billion.
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There is speculation that the steelmaker is seeking to sell a 40 percent stake in its construction arm to improve its
financial health.
Speaking during the business forum, Al-Rabiah said the trade volume between the two nations exceeded SR170 billion
last year with Saudi exports to that country totaling about SR133 billion. “Korean investments in the Kingdom total SR3.4
billion, mostly in industrial and service sector projects,” said SAGIA chief Al-Othman.
Saudi Arabia is South Korea’s fourth-largest trading partner. The two countries have forged closer ties in many sectors.
Park visited Masmak Fort before wrapping up her two-day visit to Riyadh. She left for Abu Dhabi on Wednesday evening.
Arab News(5 March 2015)
S. KOREA TO BUILD SR7.5BN NUCLEAR REACTORS IN KSA
Saudi Arabia and South Korea signed five key accords on Tuesday in
Riyadh including a plan to study the feasibility of building nuclear
reactors worth SR7.5 billion across the country.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and South Korean
President Park Geun-hye also held wide-ranging talks here on
economic and security issues. This is the first visit by a South Korean
president since 2012.
The two countries, under the provisions of the signed MoU, are set
to conduct a three-year preliminary study, to be completed in 2018,
on the feasibility of constructing the nuclear reactors in Saudi Arabia.
Jungho Lee, a spokesman of the South Korean Embassy, said the
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman
receives South Korean President Park Geun-hye on her
arrival in Riyadh on Tuesday.
framework agreement would include technical cooperation,
research and development, and the exchange of personnel.
According to reports, the agreement would be reached between
King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) and
South Korea’s science, ICT and future planning ministry. Saudi Arabia is the biggest petroleum exporter and dependent on
oil and gas for its electricity production. The late King Abdullah established KACARE in 2010 to develop alternate energy,
including atomic power.
Lee said the talks between King Salman and Park looked largely at economic, and science and technology cooperation. It
was an “opportunity to take bilateral ties to a new level,” he said. “The Republic of Korea became the first foreign country
with which the Kingdom signed such key accords after King Salman ascended to the throne, and it is a real honor,” said
Lee.
King Salman also hosted a lunch for Park, while Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier; and Deputy Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, called on Park separately on Tuesday.
Lee said the Korean president, who is accompanied by over 100 top businesspeople, would attend a Saudi-Korean
business conference here on Wednesday.
He said the two sides also touched on security issues and challenges facing the Middle East. An MoU was also signed
between the Korean Ministry of Science and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology.
The two other draft agreements signed at separate venues include one between the Export and Import Bank of Korea and
Saudi Electricity Company, for financing a large project, and another between Kingdom Holdings Company and Korea
Investment Corporation on investment collaboration.
Present at the talks and the signing ceremonies were several other members of the royal family and ministers including
Prince Abdulaziz bin Abdullah, deputy foreign minister, and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, minister of defense. On behalf
of Korea, top officials included Yun Byung-se, foreign minister; Choi Yang-hee, minister of science and future planning;
Yoon Sang-jick, minister of trade and energy; and Moon Hyung-pyo, minister of health. Park will meet members of the
Korean community here on Wednesday. She will also visit the historic Masmak Fort in Riyadh, which was built in 1865.
She arrived on Tuesday afternoon in Riyadh on the second leg of her nine-day, four-nation tour of the Middle East, which
took her to Kuwait first. She will also visit the UAE and Qatar.
ARAB NEWS(4 march 2015)
March 2015
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National News
★ SAUDI NEWS
21-MONTH SLUMP IN DEPOSITS, RESERVES
The government’s reserves and deposits with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) dropped at the end of January
to SR1.39 trillion, the lowest level in 21 months. This was a 2 percent change on a monthly basis compared to December,
and 8 percent change on an annual basis compared to January last year. “The reserves and deposits of the government is part of the liabilities in SAMA’s financial statements, which amounts to
SR2.79 trillion, equal to its assets,” Al-Eqtisadiah reported. The assets include investments in security bonds, deposits with banks abroad, cash, foreign exchange, gold, and other
assets. “The government reserves and deposits are divided into three categories, the general reserve of the government,
allocations for government projects and government’s current account.” Commenting on the fall in reserves and deposits, John Sfakianakis, Middle East director at Ashmore Group, told Arab
News: “This should be seen as perfectly normal as reserves are to be used in an environment of low oil revenues.”
ARAB NEWS(28 February 2015)
ARAMCO PLANTS 2,300 TREES WITH WATER-SAVING POLYMER
A Riyadh-based group has planted 2,300 trees of six varieties for Saudi Aramco in Qurais, Eastern Province, with the use
of a super water-saving polymer it had invented.
“There have been several delays in planting the trees due to the winter season, during which the different varieties could
have frozen,” said Ibrahim Alalim, head of the Estefaa Group and the inventor.
The varieties include Maringa, Zizves, Neem, Arabic Cedar, Acacia Arabia and Pazaromia. They are intended to help
prevent climate change in the region and create a green environment for Saudi Aramco employees.
“Trees will be planted on 5.5 km of land at set intervals. It will take us about three weeks to plant a total of 3,500 trees,”
Alalim said.
He said the Estefaa Group would nurture each tree with 200 liters of water, with the use of the super-absorbent polymer.
They would be watered every two weeks for about two years and then depend on rainfall for water.
The company is upbeat about the project because Saudi Aramco has promised other tree-planting assignments if the
venture proves successful. He said the project would benefit this generation “but also our grandchildren and greatgrandchildren who will have cleaner air to breathe and an environment conducive to health.”
DAMMAM CINE SHOW BEGINS
Curtains went up in the second Saudi Film Festival in Dammam Friday, a four-day event organized by the Dammam Arts
and Cultural Society.
During the opening ceremony, Sultan Al-Bazei, chairman of the society’s board of directors, stressed that Saudi films have
made a strong presence at Arab and international festivals thanks to several awards which included films by Abdullah AlMohaisen and Hayfa Al-Mansour’s Wadjda.
The festival’s organizer, Ahmed Al-Mulla, pointed out that 104 films have been registered on their website over the past
30 days. As part of the event, a training workshop has been set with 140 participants.
According to Al-Mulla, the festival is a pioneering personal artistic effort which will also be useful as a tool for dialogue
with other cultures.
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The society launched a national program to develop the Kingdom’s film industry in partnership with King Abdul Aziz
World Cultural Center, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco. Considered a first phase in a long-term project, the program includes
workshops on the film industry, while the second phase will start by the middle of the year.
Al-Bazie stressed that films are a quick medium to deliver a message to the viewers. He urged all sectors of society
including establishments, individuals and intellectuals to support the industry. According to the society’s chairman,
universities should develop the necessary curricula and open departments to study film and drama, so that Saudi Arabia
has a fitting position at the stage of the international theater of cultural dialogue.
During the event, film director Ebrahim Alkazi was honored, with Salman Alkazi receiving the prize on his behalf. He was
also awarded the Golden Palm prize and a book on the history of the arts industry in India.
Opening the festival, Fima Bayn, directed by Muhammad Salman, impressed the audience with the story of a youth
confused by decisions, identity and obedience. About 66 films will be played from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for four days at the
society’s headquarters.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY LAB RECEIVES CERTIFICATION
The Laboratory for Energy Efficiency, a unit of the Saudi Arabian
Standards Organization (SASO) which deals primarily with air
conditioners, has been certified by the Korean Agency for Technology
and Specifications (KATS) at an event held in Riyadh recently. SASO
won the award following a sample test that matched KATS' and other
laboratories' standards.
ENERGY SAVER: SASO Governor Dr. Saad AlQasabi receives certificate from Korean Agency for
Technology and Specifications.
The event, held at SASO’s headquarter in Riyadh, was attended by a
Korean official who handed over the certificate to SASO Governor Dr.
Saad Al-Qasabi, who who described it as an outstanding achievement,
which confirms the high professional level of SASO in all development
projects.
He also stressed that the new laboratory will play a pivotal role in
support of the Commission and other stakeholders' efforts in the implementation of energy conservation initiatives. He
noted that he had signed contract for laboratory energy efficiency last year, covering the latest test equipment to verify
the conformity of imported air conditioners and those locally manufactured in conformity according to Saudi standards.
According to him, SASO made sure that this laboratory meets the standards of global technological and scientific
developments, and has benefited greatly from the advanced Korean experience in this regard.
Dr. Al-Qasabi said laboratory deals with one of the most urgent issues at the level of the national economy at the moment,
due to the large consumption of electrical power in the Kingdom, and in the light of the rapid advances taking place in the
country. Air conditioning systems in buildings consume nearly 70 percent of total energy intake, which puts a great
burden on both the state and the consumer. He said that in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
and the Customs Department, SASO is enforcing a regulation that bans air conditioners that do not meet Saudi
specifications from entering the Kingdom.
GOVT INCENTIVIZES GROWTH OF ORGANIC FARMING SECTOR
Saudi Arabia has expressed its support to farmers in promoting organic farming, and to phase out production of all water
intensive crops that are depleting the country’s scarce water supplies.
“The total number of organic farms in the Kingdom exceeds 130 today,” said Khlaid M. Al-Fuhaid, deputy minister for
agriculture, on Wednesday night.
Al-Fuhaid said that “Saudi Arabia’s organic sector is currently undergoing transformation, which is primarily driven by the
support extended by the Ministry of Agriculture and the initiative of private sector stakeholders.” The deputy minister
was speaking after inaugurating a week-long Agriculture Festival at the Khuraish Road Lulu Hypermarket here in Riyadh.
The inaugural ceremony of the ‘Saudi Agro Fresh Fest From Our Land’ in Riyadh was attended by top Saudi officials and
Lulu executives including Bashar Naser Al-Basher, the chief of Lulu Administration; Allewi Al-Kamshe, Human Resources
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manager; Abdullah Al-Enizy, Public Relations manager; and Shehim Mohamed Unni, the regional director. The same event
was inaugurated at Lulu Hypermarket in Alkhobar by Thariq Al-Mulhim, director of Agricultural Extension Department in
the Eastern Province.
TOURIST SPENDING UP 30% IN 2014
Saudi Arabia ranked among the top countries worldwide in tourism spending in 2014, according to data released by the
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
In the report, data showed that tourists from Saudi Arabia, India, the Philippines, and Qatar spent 30 percent m ore than
the previous year.
Out-bound tourism for Saudis during 2014 reached SR 74.2 billion in a nine-month period (Jan-Sep 2013) whereas Saudi
tourists spent SR28 billion on in-land tourism during the same period. Meanwhile, the volume of incoming tourism
reached SR47.9 billion, the report said.
Although tourism in Saudi Arabia largely revolves around religious tourism (Haj and Umrah), in recent years there has
been a growth in the leisure tourism sector. According to the World Bank, approximately 14.3 million people visited Saudi
Arabia in 2012, making it the world’s 19th-most-visited country. Potential tourist areas include the Hijaz and Sarawat
Mountains, Red Sea diving and a number of ancient ruins such as Madain Salih site.
In December 2013, Saudi Arabia announced its intention to begin issuing tourist visas for the first time in its history.
The Council of Ministers entrusted the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) with visa issuance on the
basis of certain regulations approved by the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs.
JUNAID NEW CEO OF SAUDI AIRLINES
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has announced several new appointments, local media reported on Thursday.
Abdul Mohsen Junaid has been appointed new CEO of Saudi Airlines Company in place of Abdul Aziz Al-Hazmi, who has
been named senior adviser to the airline’s director general, the appointment was made by Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser,
director general of Saudia, the national flag carrier.
Abdul Rahman bin Hamad Al-Fahd has been appointed new vice president for public relations, in place of Abdullah AlAjhar, who would retire later this year, according to a report in an online publication. Al-Fahd would be working in an
acting capacity from Feb. 20, and would be confirmed in the position on Oct. 14 or the beginning of 1437H. He would
report to the director general, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the publication said. Al-Jasser has decided to appoint Abdul
Aziz Al-Hazmi, the current chief executive officer, as his senior adviser. Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, president of the General
Authority of Civil Aviation and chairman of Saudia’s board of directors, has approved Al-Hazmi’s appointment. Al-Jasser
has also appointed Khaled Al-Balawi, vice president of sales, as executive vice president of commerce, and Khaled AlShumasi, vice president of air operations, as executive vice president of operations.
The Saudia chief has decided to have the vice president for legal affairs report to him and not the chief executive officer.
However, the vice president for safety and quality would report to the chief executive officer instead of the executive vice
president for operations.
SHOURA PASSES DRESS CODE LAW FOR WOMEN TV ANCHORS
The Shoura Council has passed a new law that would make it mandatory for women TV anchors working in the Kingdom
to wear modest dress and not show off their beauty.
Ahmed Al-Zailaee, chairman of the media committee at the consultative body, said once the law is passed by the Cabinet
it would apply to all women media workers in the Kingdom, including those of MBC and Rotana.
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Latifa Al-Shualan, a Shoura member, expressed surprise at the council’s interest in the dress code of women TV anchors,
and said there are other more important issues to tackle. “There are many other pressing issues such as the danger posed
by the media activities of the so-called Islamic State terrorist group,” she said.
Al-Shualan called for serious efforts to confront the smear campaigns against the Kingdom by some in the powerful
international media. “Our media should highlight the Kingdom’s important role as a moderate political force in the region,”
she added.
Before the Shoura decision, the Kingdom’s national television stations asked its women anchors to wear the traditional
coverall abaya.
Presenter Budoor Ahmad was the first presenter to appear wearing the new-look black abaya adorned with a blue stripe
on Al-Ekhbariya news station.
Noora Al-Adwan, a member of the Shoura, had called for a dress code for all Saudi women working at private television
stations funded by Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Abu Obat, another Shoura member, called for a national dress code for all women representing the
country, and not just for television presenters.
EX-MINISTERS AMONG SHOURA APPOINTEES
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed seven leading Saudis to the Shoura Council on Saturday.
They are Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Sabti, Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hayazie, Walid bin Abdul Karim Al-Kheraiji, Mohammed bin
Nasser Al-Sager, Saad bin Mohammad Al-Huraiqi, Nasser bin Abdul Aziz Al-Dawood, and Abbas bin Ahmed Hadi.
Al-Sabti was formerly minister of higher education and also deputy minister of education. Al-Sabti is currently a member
and general secretary of King Abdul Aziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity (Mawheba). He
holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from King Saud University, and also holds master's and doctoral degrees on
the same subject from the Syracuse University.
Al-Hayazie is the former minister of health, director of Jazan University and undersecretary at King Khaled University for
Postgraduate Studies. He holds a bachelor's degree in chemistry from King Saud University and master's and doctoral
degrees on the same subject from the University of Boston.
Al-Kheraiji is the former minister of agriculture and director general of the Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organization. AlKheraiji, who has a B.Sc. in civil engineering from the University of Miami, is the former ambassador to the Netherlands.
Hadi is the former deputy minister of housing. He holds a B.Sc. in mechanical engineering from King Fahd University of
Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). Hadi has worked at Saudi Aramco’s Yanbu oil refinery. He joined the Ministry of
Housing in 1432 as an adviser to the minister of housing.
arab News(15 February 2015)
KING APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO SHOURA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has appointed Mohamed H. Al-Mady of Saudi Basic Industries
Corporation (SABIC) as chairman of the General Organization for Military Industries (GOMI). The king issued a number of
royal decrees appointing key people to other important positions. Abdullah bin Abdul Karim Al-Essa was named as
undersecretary for security affairs at the Ministry of Interior.
The king appointed seven new members to the Shoura Council.
They are Khaled bin Abdullah Al-Sabti, former Health Minister Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hayazie, former Agriculture Minister
Walid bin Abdul Karim Al-Kheraiji, Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Sager, Saad bin Mohammad Al-Huraiqi, Nasser bin Abdul
Aziz Al-Dawood and Abbas bin Ahmed Hadi.
Their appointments take place with immediate effect.
In two other decrees, the king relieved the newly appointed Shoura members, Abbas bin Ahmed Hadi, from his current
position deputy minister of housing, and Saad bin Muhammad Al-Huraiqi, from his current position as president of AlBaha University.
March 2015
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Al-Mady earned his BSc in chemical engineering at the University of Colorado and a master’s degree in the same subject
at the University of Wyoming in 1975.
He received an Honorary Doctorate in Science and the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from the University of
Colorado in 2012.
He became an honorary fellow of the London Business School in 2007.
The General Organization for Military Industries to which Al-Mady was appointed as chairman aims to build a sound
military industrial base in the Kingdom to nurture the establishment of military industries that are capable of keeping up
with advancements in the Armed Forces.
Among its other objectives are recruiting and qualifying local technical and administrative personnel to work in these
industries; devising scientific and practical plans to guide human resources in the Kingdom in the realm of military
industries; and conducting studies and research initiatives in collaboration with national and international universities and
research centers.
The royal order issued instructions to the concerned authorities to carry out all the orders with immediate effect.
DEFENSE MINISTER MAKES KEY APPOINTMENT
Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman has appointed Samir Al-Tabib, hitherto vice president of Saudi Aramco
for engineering affairs, as director of the project management office for the ministry’s development.
The appointment comes as part of Prince Mohammed’s efforts to revamp the Defense Ministry by inducting highly
qualified and experienced Saudi hands to run its various departments and projects. Prince Mohammed, who is also chief
of the Royal Court, has been working on the ministry’s development for several months on the instruction of Custodian of
the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, before his new appointment.
He has conducted a number of studies to develop the ministry and enhance its performance, matching with Saudi
Arabia’s international position.
NEW GOVT STRATEGY TARGETS COVER-UP BUSINESSES
The Saudi labor and commerce ministries have agreed to develop a strategy to tackle cover-up businesses in the Kingdom,
which include joint inspections, exchanging information on offenders, and updating regulations.
The ministries would also offer greater support for young people to start their own small and medium enterprises as a
means to counter those operating illegally.
These were some of the recommendations adopted by the ministries at a meeting on Wednesday chaired jointly by
Minister of Labor Adel Fakeih and Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.
They also supported current efforts to increase Saudization, issue seasonal Haj visas through Saudi recruitment
companies, and establish service centers in industrial complexes. In a statement, the ministries announced that they
would develop an electronic system to monitor operation and maintenance contracts, including Saudization quotas, and
adopt a standardized system to rate contractors.
They also stressed the need to adopt certain standards and certificates of competence for various sectors, develop a
mechanism to issue licenses for new companies, and a way to monitor the capital of firms.
The two sides also decided on an action plan to set up service centers of the Human Resources Development Fund in
industrial centers and cities to help owners of establishments and job seekers, particularly women. The ministries had
announced earlier that there are severe penalties for Saudis and expatriates involved in cover-up businesses. These
include a fine of SR1 million, jail time of up to two years, and having their businesses closed down. Non-Saudi violators
would be deported.
The two ministries also warned individuals and private firms that they should not hire people who have violated the
country’s regulations. They also warned citizens that they should not seek assistance from any unlicensed agency to
recruit foreign workers.
Arab News(12 February 2015)
March 2015
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ECONOMIC COUNCIL DISCUSSES VITAL ISSUES
Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman chaired the Economic and Development Affairs Council’s first meeting at
the Royal Court in Riyadh on Wednesday and discussed a number of important issues related to boosting economic
progress and improving public services. At the outset of the meeting, Prince Mohammed thanked Custodian of the Two
Holy Mosques King Salman for setting up the council as part of the government’s continuous efforts to accelerate
economic growth.
“King Salman seeks to increase efficiency and performance and improve coordination between the various government
departments to avoid duplication and achieve the set goals,” the prince told the meeting, while emphasizing the need to
cope with speedy developments in various fields. A number of ministers attended the meeting.
SECURITY COUNCIL REVIEWS GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS
The Political and Security Council held its first meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Deputy Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, and discussed major security and political
developments in the world. Prince Mohammed thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for setting up
the new council to discuss matters related to politics and security on the basis of specific strategies to safeguard the
Kingdom’s interests.
“The meeting discussed the council’s mechanisms and major political and security issues as well as important regional and
international developments,” an official statement carried by SPA said.
AL-AHSA COAST TO BE DEVELOPED
The government is currently developing tourist facilities on the coastline of cities here including Salwa and Ras Abu Qamis.
“The Ministry of Finance is currently implementing some projects on the Salwa coast in coordination with Al-Ahsa
mayoralty, including setting up umbrellas and lampposts along the beaches, creating walkways and paving several sites,”
said Al-Ahsa Mayor Adel Al-Mulhim.
Speaking on Ras Abu Qamis beach recently, Al-Mulhim said that a strategic development study has been carried out by
the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs in coordination with the Al-Ahsa Mayoralty. Ras Abu Qamis beach is 160 km
east of Hofuf, under the administration of Salwa city. Its beaches are famous for fishing.
“Al-Uqair is an Arab and international investment destination. It will see investments of over SR40 billion and provide
about 90,000 jobs. The project area covers 100 million square meters, with 15 km of beaches stretching along the Arabian
Gulf coast.”
It would be a model for the development of other tourist destinations in the Kingdom. The Saudi Commission for Tourism
and Antiquities (SCTA) had recommended starting detailed studies for the second phase, said Al-Mulhim.
He said the SCTA is still completing the second phase of the Al-Uqair development project, including the establishment of
the Al-Uqair Development Company. It is expected to put up nearly 30 percent of the company’s capital.
Al-Mulhim said the idea is to develop major projects on the Al-Ahsa coast over the next 20 years, including infrastructure
such as paving streets and basic services.
March 2015
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NEW CHIEF TOLD TO REFORM HAIA
VIBRANT TEAM:
New ministers in
the Saudi Cabinet
led by Custodian of
the Two Holy
Mosques King
Salman pose for a
group photo in
Riyadh. King
Salman chaired his
first Cabinet
meeting on
Monday.
Madinah Gov. Prince Faisal bin Salman held a reception on Monday in honor of Abdul Rahman Al-Sanad, the newly
appointed president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, and hoped he would
bring about qualitative improvement in the Haia’s activities.
“Prince Faisal congratulated Al-Sanad for the royal trust and prayed for the success of his efforts to bring about
qualitative development of the Haia,” a SPA statement said. The governor emphasized that kindness and gentle behavior
should be the hallmarks of Haia’s officials while carrying out their vital Islamic mission of promoting virtue and preventing
vice across the country.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed Al-Sanad as the new Haia president on Thursday.
NAS HOLDING APPOINTS NEW GROUP CEO
The National Air Services Group (NAS Holding) announced the appointment of Bandar Al-Muhanna as CEO of the group,
replacing Sulaiman Al-Hamdan, former CEO of the group. Ayed Al-Jeaid, chairman of the board at NAS Holding, said: "We
extend our warmest congratulations to Al-Hamdan for the expression of royal trust manifested in his appointment as
president of the General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) and would like to wish him all the success in his new position.
This follows a successful journey filled with achievements at NAS Holding, where he successfully served as CEO of NAS
Holding Group and leading a team of experts to build the group and turn it into one of the strongest emerging aviation
companies in the region."
GOVT BONUS TO INJECT SR60BN INTO ECONOMY
The two-month salary bonus announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman last week for government
employees, military personnel, retirees and students is expected to benefit some 6 million citizens, say economists.
Based on an average payout of SR10,000, this means a phenomenal SR60 billion in hard cash would be in the pockets of
Saudis in the next 10 days, boosting their purchasing power, they said on Tuesday.
Economist Osama Filali expects people to spend this money on consumer goods. The Ministry of Commerce should
intervene to maintain stable prices, because pumping billions of riyals into the market can lead to inflation and a rise in
prices, he told Al-Madinah newspaper.
Economic researcher Abdullah Al-Alami told Arab News that the SR60 billion figure is debatable. “In economic terms we
call this probable rather than possible,” he said.
Al-Alami expects 6 million citizens to benefit. “However, it is difficult at this point to estimate the total figure of the twomonth salary payout because the recipients include all state civilian and military personnel, all students in public
education inside and outside the Kingdom, all retirees, the disabled, and other categories of beneficiaries,” he said.
March 2015
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FOREIGN POLICY UNCHANGED UNDER KING SALMAN
Chairing his first Cabinet meeting as monarch and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on Monday, King Salman said that
Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy would remain in place.
Saudi Arabia’s policies in relation to Arab, Muslim and international countries “will remain unchanged,” the king said
during an address to the Cabinet. “We will work hard in the service of Islam, for the betterment of our loyal and noble
people and support Arab and Islamic causes,” he said.
“We’ll also work to promote international peace, security and global economic growth and pray to the Almighty to help
us shoulder this responsibility and trust in a way that pleases Him,” the king said.
GLOBAL HALAL FOOD MARKET IS WORTH $1.1 TRILLION
The international Halal food market, considered one of the fastest growing segments of the worldwide food industry and
currently worth $1.1 trillion globally, occupies an integral part of Gulfood 2015 — the 20th anniversary of the food and
hospitality trade show.
In all, more than 1,000 international halal food brands and companies will convene at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
from Feb. 8-12 to display thousands of Halal products — from energy drinks, vegan and vegetarian foods to meat and
poultry, canned goods, gourmet and fine foods — at the second annual Halal World Food.
With more than 80,000 international food industry professionals expected to attend the largest edition of Gulfood, Halal
World Food will cement its standing as the world's biggest annual halal food sourcing trade show. Beyond the significant,
sector-specific commercial and trading opportunities presented at the dedicated show-within-a-show concept, the
inaugural Halal Investment Conference on Feb. 10 will debut as part of the three-day Gulfood Leaders Events program.
HOFUF’S AL-QARAH VILLAGE TO BE DEVELOPED
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in Al-Ahsa is studying a project to create a tourist track to AlQarah village bringing the total number of tourist tracks to four with one in the central oasis, the second in central Hofuf
and the third in Al-Uqair which are all currently under construction.
SCTA Director General in Al-Ahsa, Ali bin Taher Al-Haji, said that the decision was made during a meeting with a
delegation from Al-Qarah held at the SCTA headquarters in the presence of municipal council member Ali Al-Sultan.
Al-Haji said that Al-Qarah has a number of tourist spots that will enrich the integrated tourism experience, including Jabl
Al-Qarah, Dogh Algrash (pottery area), the Sunday market (under development) and Ras Jabl Al-Qarah.
During the meeting, Al-Haji reviewed the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities under the
supervision of Prince Sultan bin Salman, in the development of tourism in the Kingdom.
A discussion followed on Al-Ahsa’s distinctive natural and historical touristic elements with the support of Prince Badr bin
Mohammed Al-Jalawi, Al-Ahsa governor and chairman of the Tourism Development Council in the province.
Al-Haji heard the delegation’s suggestions to improve the tourism input which includes the establishment of a pottery
museum, a working group to serve artisans and the restoration of the historic gates to the province.
The meeting concluded with the formation of a working group to oversee the technical aspects of the project.
Al-Qarah village is well known for its mountain, Jabl Al-Qarah, which contains numerous caves and massive rocks and
boulders. The limestone caves on the mountain are a must-see for visitors. They have a distinctive quality of staying cool
in hot weather and warm in the winter.
March 2015
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NO DEARTH OF EXPERIENCE IN KING SALMAN’S NEW TEAM
The new team of ministers and officials appointed by Custodian
of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Thursday is a mix of
youth and experience.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, deputy minister of petroleum and
mineral resources, held a number of posts during his service in
the ministry before.
As early as 1987, he was appointed adviser to the minister of petroleum and mineral resources and continued till 1990.
He was appointed as assistant undersecretary for petroleum affairs in the ministry in 1995. He continued in this post up
to 2004 when he was appointed assistant to minister of petroleum and mineral resources and remained in the position
until Jan. 29, 2015.
The 54-year-old prince obtained his bachelor’s degree in industrial management from King Fahd University for Petroleum
and Minerals in 1982 and was appointed lecturer at the same university.
In 1985, he got a master’s degree in business administration from KFUPM. During 1985-1987, he assumed the post of
director of economic and industrial studies at the Institute of Research, KFUPM.
Prince Abdulaziz acquired vast experience in the areas of petroleum and energy through his membership of a number of
key international societies and institutions.
Abdullah Al-Muhaisin, the new adviser at the Royal Court, was born in Makkah in 1367 H. He received his primary
education in Saudi Arabia and completed his secondary education in Lebanon. During 1969-1971, he joined Gloucester
College of Arts & Design, the UK, and completed his academic studies at the London Film School. He also obtained a high
diploma in the period 1971-1975 during which he joined the Royal Television Academy, the UK, where he had theoretical
and practical training in TV production. In 2006, he obtained a master’s degree in management from the US-based
University of Phoenix.
On his return from Britain in 1975, he began his career in the private sector where he established the international
company for ad and publicity (1975), the first cinema photography studio (1975), the first broadcasting studio (1976), and
the first outdoor live production unit in the Kingdom (1981). He also entered into agreements with government and
global media companies.
Hazim bin Mustafa Abdulwahid Zagzoug is the newly appointed special secretary to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
King Salman.
Zagzoug was born in 1388 AH. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in media and PR, and master’s degree in marketing.
Later, he enrolled in a series of training courses in administrative strategies and leadership skills at universities such as
Harvard, London University and Virginia University.
Zagzoug assumed key posts in the private companies and joined a number of boards of directors at the local, regional and
international levels. He also participated in a series of local, regional and internationals conferences where he presented
research papers in strategies and management.
Mohammed bin Abdulmalik Al-Asheikh, state minister and member of Economic Development Council, was born in Taif
on 6-5-1389 H. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Um Al-Qura University and master’s degree in law from Law
College of Harvard University. He worked in the legal department of the World Bank during 1998-2001 and joined a legal
office in New York from 2001 to 2003. In 2003, he returned to the Kingdom and worked in the area of legal consultancy
up to 2012.
In September 2012, he was appointed as the Saudi representative at the World Bank. On 24-3-1434 H, a royal decree was
issued appointing him as chairman of the Saudi Capital Market Authority (CMA).
AL-BALAWI IS NEW BORDER GUARD CHIEF
The Interior Ministry has appointed a new director-general of the Border Guard.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, announced recently that Maj.
Gen. Awad bin Eid Al-Balawi would be placed in this position.
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Al-Balawi was appointed acting director-general of the Border Guard in August 2014 following the death of Gen. Zamim
Al-Sawat. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Pakistan Naval Academy and master’s degree from the World Maritime
University in Sweden. Al-Balawi previously held various other positions, completed several advanced training courses and
attended local and international conferences on conflict management, negotiation skills, problem analysis, crisis
environmental management, decision making and piracy.
ARAB NEWS(31 January 2015)
KSA POPULATION IS 30.8M; 33% EXPATS
Saudi Arabia’s population stood at 30.8 million at the end of 2014, a 2.6 percent rise from 2013, according to data
released by the Kingdom’s Central Department of Statistics and Information (CDSI).
There were 20.7 million Saudis, making up 67 percent of the population, while the number of foreigners stood at 10.1
million or 33 percent, according to an analysis conducted by the economics reporting unit of Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper.
The population had grown by 2.7 percent from 2012 to 2013, amounting to 29.2 million people. This consisted of 20.3
million Saudis and 9.7 million foreigners.
The CDSI said that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at SR2.82 trillion at the end of 2014, while per
capita GDP was SR91,700.
Per capita GDP had grown by 9 percent over the past 11 years, an annual increase of SR4,900. The highest per capita GDP
growth was between 2004 and 2005, when it grew by 23 percent, or from SR43,000 to SR52,800.
According to the analysis, per capita GDP dropped 19 percent between 2008 and 2009, from SR87,600 to SR63,400, as a
result of the global financial crisis.
Al-Eqtisadiah had estimated that the Kingdom’s population would reach 37.2 million by the year 2020 based on the
average annual growth rate over the past nine years
KING SALMAN’S NEW TEAM HAS ACCOMPLISHED ADMINISTRATORS
The new Cabinet announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman
on Thursday has several appointees who are accomplished administrators with
vast experience and expertise in their fields.
Azzam Al-Dakhil, the new minister of education, is also chief executive officer of
the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Charity Foundation (MISK). This
is an organization founded by Prince Mohammed, who chairs its board of
directors.
The organization works to enhance intellectual capital in Saudi Arabia, to help
build a creative, knowledgeable society that nurtures young and talented leaders
through developmental, educational and cultural projects.
Previously, Al-Dakhil held several top positions at a number of leading companies,
including managing director and then chief executive officer of the Saudi Research and Marketing Group.
Al-Dakhil holds a Ph.D. in project management from the United Kingdom, a master’s degree in architecture from
California State University and a bachelor’s degree in architecture from King Saud University in Riyadh.
He is an honorary fellow at the journalism department at London University.
He has outstanding experience in executive management at leading companies in the private sector for more than 25
years. Born in 1959 in Makkah, he is married and has four sons.
Adel Al-Toraifi, the new culture and information minister, served as the general manager of the Al-Arabiya television
channel. He is a journalist, researcher, analyst and political commentator who appears regularly on regional and
international news channels. He served as the editor in chief of Asharq Al-Awsat daily and Al-Majalla magazine. Before
that, he was a writer at Al-Watan and Al-Riyadh.
He holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Born on April 19, 1979, in the city of Buraidah, he completed a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and worked with
March 2015
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Siemens at its headquarters in Germany, before moving to Britain after receiving a scholarship to study at the University
of Birmingham.
In 2007, he received a master’s degree in political science from the University of London, and a Master of Philosophy in
Economics and International Politics in 2009. He received his Ph.D. for his thesis entitled, The Rise and Demise of SaudiIranian Rapprochement Between 1997 and 2009.
As an opinion writer and commentator on the Middle East, his columns have appeared in many Arabic and foreign
newspapers. He wrote a weekly political opinion column for Al-Riyadh newspaper, and a weekly column in Asharq AlAwsat.
In 2010, he was appointed editor in chief of Al-Majalla and was responsible for rebranding and restructuring the magazine
after stopping its print publication. Al-Toraifi launched the digital version of the magazine in Arabic, English and Persian
before starting a monthly print edition in Arabic with a new vision.
In 2012, he was appointed deputy editor in chief of Asharq Al-Awsat. Prince Faisal bin Salman, the chairman of Saudi
Research and Marketing Group, promoted him to editor in chief of Asharq Al-Awsat in 2013, with the approval of the
board of directors. He became the youngest person to hold the position.
Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel, telecommunications and information technology minister, had been president of the King
Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) since July 2007.
He was the governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission from March 2003 to July 2007.
During his tenure at KACST, he held the rank of minister.
Abdullah Al-Mansoor from KACST’s public relations office, said the former president was a “dynamic administrator” and
wished him well in his new assignment.
Mansour Al-Ghamdi, senior researcher at KACST for digital Arabic content, said Al-Suwaiyel has the right experience for
the job. “The information sector is not new for Al-Suwaiyel. He will do well in his new post.” The digital Arabic content
project is part of Al-Suwaiyel’s legacy at KACST, he said.
Abdullah Al-Awad, manager of the KACST national center for stem cell technology, said Al-Suwaiyel had “worked hard to
ensure the scientific and technological development of the country.”
Born in Al-Mahad in 1950, he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in general engineering systems from King Fahd
University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in 1972, M.Sc. in 1975 and Ph.D. in computer science algorithms in 1979
from the University of Southern California.
He worked at KFUPM as chairman of the systems engineering department, chairman of the computer science department,
and dean of the computer science and engineering college. He was vice president for research from 1991 to 2003 at
KACST.
He is a board member of several organizations, the most recent being with Saudi Aramco since 2001. Al-Suwaiyel has
conducted several courses in computer science, computational mathematics and data security at KFUPM and King Saud
University.
He has also published a series of conference and journal papers for international and regional organizations. His research
interests are in the areas of computational complexity, cryptography and data security.
Abdul Rahman Al-Sanad, who is the new president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of
Vice, received his doctoral and master’s degrees from Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in comparative
jurisprudence.
He also completed his bachelor’s degree in Islamic law from Imam Muhammad bin Saud University, and another
bachelor’s degree in computer science at King Saud University.
He has held several senior managerial positions including director of the Islamic University of Madinah. He has been the
dean of the higher institute of the judiciary, dean of distance learning, chairman of the department of comparative
jurisprudence, and associate professor at the same university.
Al-Sanad has published several books and is a member of a number of scientific and administrative committees.
March 2015
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ROYAL MAGNANIMITY: BONUSES AND OTHER INCENTIVES ANNOUNCED
Generous bonuses and payouts will be given out to Saudi government employees, government scholars, retirees and
other citizens under a package approved on Thursday by newly enthroned King Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Custodian of
the Two Holy Mosques.
The King ordered the payment of two basic salaries to all Saudi state employees, including civilians and military officers,
and two-month stipend to all government students inside and outside the Kingdom, and two-month pension for Saudi
retirees.
By issuing 37 royal decrees, he also announced two-month remuneration for social insurance beneficiaries, two-month
assistance to the handicapped, and SR2 billion for charities registered with the Social Affairs Ministry.
Cooperative Societies Council will get SR200 million while SR10 million aid was granted to professional societies. Literary
clubs will get SR10 million each while excellent sports clubs SR10 million each, first class sports clubs SR5 million each and
other sports clubs SR2 million each.
King Salman ordered additional payment of SR20 billion to support electricity and water services, including SR14 billion to
provide electricity connections and SR6 billion for water connections.
King Salman also ordered to set free all prisoners of public rights, writing off their debts and fines up to SR500,000. “All
non-Saudi prisoners will be deported after release and will not be allowed to enter the Kingdom,” one royal decree issued
by the king said. Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif has been authorized to set out the conditions for releasing
public right prisoners.
Late Thursday night, King Salman tweeted: “Dear citizens: You deserve more. Whatever I do is not enough. I ask God to
help me extend my full service to the religion and the nation. Do not forget to include me in your prayers.”
Saudis all over the Kingdom were overjoyed with the king’s decision to pay two-month salary bonus. They have also
welcomed the king’s new appointments and decisions, saying it would strengthen the government.
MASSIVE CABINET SHAKE-UP
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman announced
a massive Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, appointing Azzam
Al-Dakhil, new education minister, Ahmed bin Aqeel AlKhateeb new health minister, Adel Al-Toraifi, minister of
culture and information and Abdul Lateef bin Abdul Malik AlAsheikh new minister of municipal and rural affairs.
King Salman, who ascended the throne on Friday,
reappointed Prince Khaled Al-Faisal as governor of Makkah in
place of Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah and Prince Faisal bin
Bandar governor of Riyadh, replacing Prince Turki bin
Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. He removed Prince Bandar bin
Sultan from the position of the secretary-general for National
Security Council and special envoy of the king.
Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani is the new justice minister,
who replaces Mohammed Al-Eissa while Saleh bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh was reinstated Islamic affairs minister, replacing
Sulaiman Abalkhail. He merged the higher education ministry with the Ministry of Education.
Other new ministers are: Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel, minister of telecommunications and information technology; Majed
bin Abdullah Al-Qassabi minister of social affairs; Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadli, agriculture minister; Khaled
bin Abdullah Al-Araj, minister of civil service; Saad bin Khaled Al-Jabari state minister; and Mohammed bin Abdul Malik AlAsheikh, state minister.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi, Finance Minister Ibrahim
Al-Assaf, National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, Labor Minister Adel Fakeih and Water and Electricity
Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen retained their positions.
Other Cabinet members are: Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier; Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second
deputy premier and minister of interior; Prince Mansour bin Miteb, state minister and adviser to the king; Prince
Mohammed bin Salman, defense minister; and Matlab Al-Nafeesa, state minister; and Musaed Al-Aiban, state minister.
March 2015
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Housing Minister Shuwaish Al-Dhuwaihi, Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar, Economy and Planning Minister Muhammed AlJasser, Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Transport Minister Abdullah Al-Muqbil will remain in their
positions. Other ministers who retained their positions were: State Minister for Shoura Affairs Mohammed bin Faisal
Abusaq, and State Minister Essam bin Saad bin Saeed.
King Salman appointed Khaled bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Muhaisen as president of the National Anti-Corruption Commission
(Nazaha), replacing Mohammed Al-Sharief.
Intelligence chief Prince Khaled bin Bandar was relieved and Gen. Khaled bin Ali Al-Humaidan was named the new chief.
Prince Khaled bin Bandar, Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Musaed and Prince Abdul Aziz bin Sattam have
been named advisers to the king with the rank of minister.
King Salman dissolved a number of bodies such as the Higher Committee for Educational Policy, Higher Committee for
Administrative Organization, Civil Service Council, the Higher Commission for King Abdulaziz City of Science and
Technology, Higher Education and Universities Council, Higher Council for Education, Higher Council for Petroleum and
Mineral Affairs, Supreme Economic Council, National Security Council (NSC), Supreme Council for King Abdullah City for
Nuclear and Renewable Energy, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and Supreme Council for the Affairs of the
Handicapped.
Two new councils have been established: The Council for Political and Security Affairs and the Council for Economic and
Development Affairs. The two councils will be closely linked with the Council of Ministers. The commission of experts will
continue as one of the agencies of the Cabinet’s general secretariat.
The Council for Political and Security Affairs will have nine members and will be chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Naif.
The 22-member Council for Economic and Development Affairs will be chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
King Salman also reshuffled the general committee for Cabinet under the chairmanship of Musaed Al-Aiban.
Other major appointments were: Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman, deputy minister of petroleum and minerals with the rank
of minister; Prince Turki bin Saud, president of King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology with the rank of minister;
Hazim bin Mustafa Zagzoug, head of the king’s private affairs; Fahd Abdullah Al-Samari, adviser at the Royal Court;
Mohammed bin Sulaiman Al-Ajaji, head of experts commission at the Cabinet; Yahya bin Abdullah Al-Samaan, assistant
president of the Shoura Council; Abdul Rahman Al-Hussayen, president of the Control and Investigation Board;
Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, president of Capital Market Authority; Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, president
of the General Authority of Civil Aviation replacing Prince Fahd bin Abdullah; Abdul Rahman bin Abdullah Al-Sanad,
president of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, replacing Abdullatif Al-Asheikh; Nabeel
bin Mohammed Al-Aamoudi, president of the Saudi Ports Authority, replacing Abdul Aziz Al-Tuwaijri; and Ibrahim bin
Mohammed Al-Sultan, mayor of Riyadh. Mohammed bin Abdul Kareem Al-Eissa has been removed from his position as
member of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, one decree said.
KING SHAKES UP CABINET; RIYADH, MAKKAH GOVERNORS REPLACED
• Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz is back as Makkah governor
• Education Ministry and Ministry of Higher Education merged
A huge Cabinet revamp has taken place following a royal decree issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Salman. Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah has been relieved as governor of Riyadh, and so with Prince Mishaal bin Abdullah as
Makkah governor. Prince Faisal bin Bandar as Qassim governor and replaced by Prince Faisal bin Mishaal. Ahmed AlKhateeb is the new health minister., taking the place of Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz, who was given back his former post as
governor of Makkah. Prince Khaled Bandar was removed as intelligence chief and replaced by Brig. Gen. Khaled AlHumaidan.
Prince Bandar bin Sultan was removed as National Security Council chief. Adil Turaifi has been appointed as minister of
information, Saleh Al-Shaikh has become minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdul Latif Al-Shaikh was made minister of municipal
affairs, Mansour bin Mit'eb has become state minister. Dr. Azzam Al-Dakhil is the new minister of education and higher
education. The merged ministry is known as Education Ministry. Prince Miteb bin Abdullah remains as Minister of the
National Guard. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan is new Capital Market Authority (CMA) chief. Khaled Al-Mohaisen is new
Nazaha chief. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Salman was named deputy oil minister.
March 2015
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RIYADH ONE OF WORLD'S 50 SAFEST CITIES
Riyadh ranked 46th in the list of the world’s 50 safest cities for 2015, with Tokyo topping the list and Jakarta trailing at the
end, according to the annual report drafted by The Economist magazine.
In its evaluation of the 50 safest cities, The Economist used four indicators including the quality of digital security in the
city and rate of identity theft. Riyadh came in the 43rd position with 53.26 percent in this area. In health security which
looks into the life expectancy rates of the city’s inhabitants and the rate of hospital beds in comparison with its
population, Riyadh achieved 53.33 percent. The city also achieved 61.53 percent in infrastructure safety which is
concerned with the quality of roads . As far as personal security goes, Riyadh received 60.26 percent for traditional safety
measures such as police intervention and the number of crime victims.
Overall, Tokyo ranked first in the index, Abu Dhabi (25), Doha (29), Kuwait (36), Tehran (49) and Jakarta (50). New York
and Los Angeles ranked first in digital security, and Zurich topped the list in health and infrastructure safety.
OBAMA VISIT TO BOOST RELATIONS
The landmark visit of US President Barack Obama to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, cutting short
his official visit to India, reflects the historic and time-tested relations between the two
strategic allies.
This is the first official visit by the head of state of a major country to the Kingdom after
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman ascended the throne on Friday.
Political analysts have said the two leaders would make use of the meeting to discuss all
major regional and international issues including Syria, Yemen and terrorism.
“The summit talks in Riyadh would open a new chapter in relations between the United States and its important ally in
the Middle East,” said a Saudi analyst.
King Salman had met with Obama in Washington in April 2012 when he was crown prince. During that visit, he also held
talks with senior American officials on major international issues and ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation.
US officials have expressed their confidence in King Salman. James B. Smith, who served as US ambassador to Saudi
Arabia between 2009 and 2013, said: “We know Salman well, he was governor of Riyadh for the better part of 50 years,
he is well known to the US government,” Smith said.
Frederic Wehrey of the US-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Middle East Program said the strategic
alliance between the two countries would continue under King Salman. However, he pointed out that Saudis were
unhappy over the Obama administration’s lukewarm approach to Middle East issues such as Syria and Palestine. Saudi
Arabia and the US have a longstanding relationship dating back to the 1930s, when American businessmen first traveled
to the Kingdom to help develop the country’s natural resources. “Today, the Saudi-US relationship is stronger than ever,”
said a report published by the Saudi Embassy in Washington on its website. On issues of national security and economic
opportunity, the Saudi-US relationship is vital, it added.
The Kingdom remains one of America’s closest allies and strongest economic partners in the Middle East. American and
Saudi security forces work together to root out terrorism. “Our two countries continue to cultivate this partnership
through a broad range of cultural and educational exchanges,” the embassy said.
Referring to cooperation in counterterrorism, the embassy said: “Saudi Arabia is among the coalition nations of Operation
Inherent Resolve conducting airstrikes against ISIS in Syria. The two countries have established two Joint Task Forces—
one to combat terrorists, another to combat terror financing.”
The Saudi-US Strategic Dialogue, a counterterrorism working group created following 9/11 attacks, continues to help
ensure the governments’ efforts and resources are aligned, the embassy said.
In 2010, Saudi intelligence provided key information to American officials. The information helped foil an attempted
terrorist plot involving bombs heading to the US that originated in Yemen. In 2011, the FBI helped foil a plot to
assassinate the Saudi Ambassador in Washington. For the past four decades, the US has been Saudi Arabia’s largest
trading partner. Saudi Arabia is the 9th largest trading partner of the US with bilateral trade reaching $70 billion.
In April 2010, the US-Saudi Business Council, in cooperation with US Chamber of Commerce and the US Department of
Commerce, organized the first US-Saudi Business Forum in Chicago, which was attended by government officials and
business leaders from both countries. The second forum was held in Atlanta in 2012, the third in Los Angeles in 2013.
March 2015
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Referring to the growing cultural exchange between the two countries, the embassy said King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology (KAUST), which was opened in September 2009, established a digital library in partnership with
the US Library of Congress in 2008. KAUST has signed agreements with many American universities. Under the King
Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program, which was launched in September 2006, more than 82,500 Saudis now study in
reputable American universities and institutes.
ARAB NEws(28 January 2015)
KSA INVESTING BILLIONS OF RIYALS IN SHALE PROJECTS
American shale oil production is important for the world’s long-term energy future and Saudi Aramco has marked an
additional $7 billion (SR26.25 billion) for its own shale projects, said its President and CEO Khalid Al-Falih.
Aramco has already invested $3 billion (SR11.25 billion) in developing its unconventional gas resources and has
earmarked an additional $7 billion, he told the Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh.
“US shale is needed, is welcome, on the global scene, because the world will require more energy resources for a growing
population,” Al-Falih said in remarks published in an AFP report. The economy is still going to be driven by oil and gas for
generations, he said.
Asked what a fair price for oil is, he said: “It will be the price that ultimately balances supply and demand. I don’t think
anybody, no single person, can dictate what that price is. I would be foolish if I did that.”
CROWN PRINCE MUQRIN IS AN EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR
Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz is a former air force pilot who has a passion for
astronomy, reading and agricultural research. He has more than 50 years’ experience as an
administrator, civil servant and military officer.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed Prince Muqrin as crown prince
and deputy premier and Prince Mohammed bin Naif as deputy crown prince, second deputy
premier and interior minister on Friday, to strengthen the Kingdom’s political stability.
“The first decision taken by King Salman after becoming the new ruler was to implement the royal decree issued by King
Abdullah, which was the appointment of Prince Muqrin as crown prince,” Al-Arabiya.net said in a report.
King Salman has urged royal family members and other citizens to pay their allegiance to Crown Prince Muqrin and
Deputy Crown Prince Naif.
Prince Muqrin was born in Riyadh on Sept. 15, 1945, as the 35th son of King Abdul Aziz. He grew up in the care of his
father and studied at Riyadh Model Institute. After graduation, he joined the Saudi Royal Air Force in 1964. He completed
his studies in aviation in Britain and graduated in 1968 with the rank of flight lieutenant.
He has attended advanced training courses on fighter jets at Dhahran Air Force base, served as commander of the 2nd Air
Squadron between 1970 and 1973.
In 1974, he joined the general staff course in the US where he earned a diploma, which is equivalent to a master’s degree.
In 1977, he was appointed assistant to director of air operations and head of plans and operations at the air force.
Prince Muqrin has held several important positions in the government. In 1980, King Khaled appointed him as the
governor of Hail at the age of 35 and he remained in that position for 20 years.
During the time of King Fahd, he was named Madinah governor in 1999. He remained in that position until October 2005,
when he was appointed the country’s intelligence chief.
Prince Muqrin organized the first Information Technology and National Security Conference in mid-2007 to mark the 50th
anniversary of the General Intelligence Department.
King Abdullah appointed him as a special royal adviser and envoy at the rank of minister on July 19, 2012.
A year later he was named second deputy premier and special envoy of the king. In 2014, King Abdullah issued a royal
decree appointing him as deputy crown prince.
Prince Muqrin has emphasized that Saudi Arabia should acquire the latest technology and information systems and apply
them in all sectors and activities to enhance efficiency.
March 2015
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While laying the foundation for King Abdullah Institute for nano technology, he said Saudi Arabia has understood the
importance of this technology long ago. “This technology is considered as a scientific revolution in modern times.”
During his 20-year tenure as governor of Hail, Prince Muqrin transformed the province into one of the most agriculturally
vital and active regions of the Kingdom.
PRINCE MOHAMMED’S APPOINTMENT AS DEPUTY CROWN PRINCE WELCOMED
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed Interior Minister Prince
Mohammed bin Naif as the second-in-line to the throne, according to a royal decree
issued Friday. Prince Mohammed will be the deputy crown prince in addition to his
present portfolio as the minister of interior.
Prince Mohammed bin Naif was born in Jeddah on Aug. 30, 1959. The prince is the son of
the late Crown Prince Naif. During his primary, preparatory and secondary education,
Prince Muhammed studied at the Capital Institute in Riyadh. Then he studied in the United States during the university
stage. In 1401, he obtained the BA degree in political science from Lewis and Clark faculty in Portland. He attended a
number of advanced military courses related to anti-terrorism in the Kingdom and abroad.
He worked in the private sector until May, 13, 1999, when a Royal Decree was issued appointing him assistant minister of
interior for security affairs.
On Oct. 16, 1999, the late King Abdullah — then the crown prince and deputy prime minister and commander of National
Guard — issued a royal decree granting him membership in the Supreme Council for Media.
On Jamad Al-Awwal 4, 1425, a royal decree was issued appointing him assistant minister of interior for security affairs. He
is a member at the Superior Body of Prince Naif International Prize for the Prophet’s Sunnah and Contemporary Islamic
Studies.
Saudi journalist Badr Al-Qahtani told Arab News that Prince Mohammed bin Naif’s appointment as deputy crown prince is
good news to all Saudi citizens and peace-loving people. “He was instrumental in playing a major role in wiping out terror
from the Kingdom,” Al-Qahtani said, recalling that he was the only member of the royal family who was subjected to a
terror attack in 2009. “He was undaunted and marched forward to fight against terror and succeeded in achieving his
targets,” the journalist said.
THE YOUNGEST CABINET MINISTER AT 35
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman appointed Mohammad bin Salman as
defense minister here Friday, in what observers have described as an empowering
message to young people in the Kingdom.
Prince Mohammad, the son of King Salman, was a state minister, member of the
Council of Ministers, and special adviser and head of the crown prince’s court before
his new appointment. At 35 years of age, he is now the youngest member of the
Cabinet. The prince, who holds a degree in law from the Riyadh-based King Saud
University, thanked the king for showing confidence in him.
Prince Muhammad has been involved in charitable causes and social initiatives supporting the youth and their career
aspirations. In 2011, he founded the Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Charity Foundation, popularly known as the
MISK Foundation. He has held many positions during his 10-year public career.
“Prince Mohammad’s appointment comes as a result of the successful role he played as head of the crown prince’s court,”
said Saleh A. Abdulrahman, a political analyst. The prince became special adviser to Prince Salman in 2009 when the latter
was governor of the Riyadh region, he said.
During this time, Prince Mohammad was also a special adviser to the chairman of the board of the prestigious King
Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives.
March 2015
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A member of the MISK Foundation described the royal decree appointing Prince Mohammad as “exceptionally significant.”
He said the appointment of such a young prince indicates the Saudi leadership’s keen desire “to empower the younger
generation of the country.”
He said that the prince has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives that earned him many awards. On April 25,
2014, he was appointed a state minister and member of the Council of Ministers.
He is a member of the executive committee for the development of the Diriyah region, and chairman of Riyadh Schools, a
chain of Saudi schools. He is also an honorary member of the National Association for Drug Prevention.
Besides being the head of the executive committee of the Prince Salman Charitable Housing Association, which aims to
provide housing for low-income families, Prince Mohammad is also the head of the financial committee for the Holy
Qur’an Association in Riyadh.
He is also on the board of trustees of the Al-Bir Society in Riyadh region and board member of the Bin Baz Foundation.
Forbes Middle East awarded Prince Mohammad, in his capacity as chairman of the Prince Salman Youth Center, its
Personality of the Year Prize, recognizing his efforts to support the youth.
KING SALMAN’S VISION: STABILITY, UNITY
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman took charge as the new ruler of Saudi Arabia on Friday in a smooth
transition following the death of King Abdullah and pledged to continue the current government policies to ensure
stability and unity in the country.
Addressing the nation, King Salman also urged the citizens to pledge their allegiance to Crown Prince Muqrin and Deputy
Crown Prince and Interior Minister Muhammad bin Naif. “We will continue by the grace of Allah and His strength to
follow the right path … and will never deviate from it. Our constitution is the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Prophet,
peace be upon him,” the king said.
King Salman said all existing ministers would continue in their positions without change. He appointed Prince Mohammed
bin Salman as defense minister and head of the royal court and the king’s private secretary.
Hamad Al-Suwailem was appointed head of the crown prince’s court with the rank of a minister while Gen. Hamad AlOuhali was named commander of the royal guards.
He commended the services extended by King Abdullah for the nation, the wider Muslim community and the Arab world.
He also asked Allah to help him to carry out his duties in the best manner.
Quoting from the Qur’an to highlight the transience of life, the king said that everyone on earth would die and have to
face their Creator. “With a heart filled with grief and sadness,” he extended condolences to the “loyal Saudi people and
the Arab and Islamic nation” on King Abdullah’s death. He said King Abdullah had dedicated his entire life to strengthen
his religion, his nation and people, defending the causes of the Arab and Islamic worlds. “Indeed we belong to Allah, and
indeed to Him we will return,” he said stressing the reality of death.
King Salman also urged Arabs and Muslims to seek solidarity in the face of challenges currently confronting them. He said
this would be the policy of Saudi Arabia as it moves to tackle obstacles facing it.
“We will continue in this country, which Allah has honored by choosing it as the platform for His message and the Qibla
(direction to which Muslims turn while praying), to boost unity and defend our nation’s causes.” He said the Kingdom
would be guided by the teachings of Islam, which is a religion of “peace, mercy and moderation.” The king added: “I ask
Allah to guide me to serve our dear people, realize their hopes, preserve our country and nation’s security and stability,
and to protect it from evil. He is able to do that and there is no strength except with the support of Allah.”
Meanwhile, King Salman, Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier, and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, interior
minister and second deputy premier, received at Al-Hukm Palace on Friday a group of citizens including princes and the
grand mufti, who came to take their oath of allegiance on the basis of Qur’an and Sunnah.
In a statement on Friday, Prince Muqrin commended King Abdullah’s great services to the nation. He wished every
success for King Salman to carry out his duties in the service of the nation and the Arab and Islamic Ummah, adding that
the king’s wisdom and expertise are required to overcome the present challenges.
March 2015
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KING ABDULLAH LAID TO REST
THE FINAL JOURNEY: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman,
along with close family members, carries the body of King Abdullah
during his funeral in Riyadh on Friday.
Two Holy Mosques King Salman, accompanied by leaders from across the world, participated in the funeral prayer at
Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque after Asr prayers.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh led the prayer at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh, which was
attended by Crown Prince Muqrin, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, second deputy premier and minister of
interior, members of the royal family, and foreign and local dignitaries.
The foreign dignitaries included King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah,
Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sudanese President Omar
Bashir and Bahrain’s Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa.
Others in attendance included Egypt’s Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Oman’s
Deputy Prime Minister for Cabinet Affairs Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Saeed, Member of the Supreme Council of the
UAE and Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Ruler of Ras Al-Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr AlQassimi, Supreme Council Member of the UAE and Ruler of Ajman Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al-Nuaimi, and Crown Prince
of Ajman Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al-Nuaimi. King Salman participated in the burial rites at Al-Oud Cemetery
following the funeral prayer, and received condolences from leaders, presidents and heads of delegations, princes,
sheikhs and senior officials. Condolences will be received from the public at Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Saturday and
Sunday after Isha prayer.
KING ABDULLAH DIES, CROWN PRINCE SALMAN IS NEW RULER
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has died, state television reported early on Friday and Crown Prince
Salman became king, it said in a statement attributed to the new ruler. He was 90.
King Salman has called on the family's Allegiance Council to pay allegiance to Muqrin as his crown prince and heir.
King Abdullah ascended the throne on Aug. 1, 2005, following the death of King Fahd. During his reign, King Abdullah has
been responsible for significant social, economic, cultural and political reforms. This includes empowering women
politically, granting foreign scholarships to thousands of students, building economic cities and constructing specialized
hospitals. King Abdullah was hospitalised in December suffering from pneumonia.
He died on Friday "at 1:00 am (2200 GMT)" and would be buried later in the day following afternoon prayers, said the
statement.
Salman had been representing the king at most recent public events because of the monarch's poor health. King Salman,
79, was named crown prince in June 2012 following the death of Prince Naif.
In March 2014, King Abdullah named Prince Muqrin as a second crown prince.
March 2015
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SAUDI BANK LOANS UP 12% TO SR1.2 TRILLION IN 2014
Loans of Saudi banks grew by 12 percent to SR1.2 trillion by the end of 2014 whereas bank deposits rose by 11 percent to
hit SR1.58 trillion, according to a financial report.
Loans of the National Commercial Bank (NCB) and Al-Rajhi Bank represented more than one-third of loans provided by all
banks in 2014, the report filed by Al-Eqtisadiah daily, said.
Loans of the NCB stood at SR220.7 billion, or 18 percent, whereas loans provided by Al-Rajhi Bank reached SR205.9 billion,
or 17 percent of the total loans.
Meanwhile, share of Riyad Bank to the overall loans stood at 11 percent as contribution of Samba Financial Group (SFG),
Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) and Saudi British Bank (SABB) reached 10 percent for each, the report said.
On the other hand, the ratio of credits (loans) to deposits (CTD) reached 77 percent by the end of 2014 with no change
compared to figures of 2013.
Loans in 2013 stood at nearly SR1.08 trillion compared to deposits of SR1.42 trillion, the report said.
SAUDI BANKS’ PROFITS UP 10% TO SR40 BILLION IN 2014
Profits of the listed Saudi banks grew by 10 percent to hit SR40.2 billion ($10.7 billion) by the end of 2014, compared to
SR36.6 billion ($9.7 billion) in 2013, according to a financial report.
The National Commercial Bank (NCB) registered the highest profits at SR8.66 billion (+10.23 percent) in 2014 compared to
SR7.85 billion, or 21.5 percent of the overall bank sector’s profits, the report filed by Al-Hayat daily said.
Capitals of the 12 listed banks stand at SR144 billion with their market capitalization worth SR525 billion, or 29 percent of
the value of Saudi stock market, the report said.
Al-Rajhi Bank was the second biggest profit maker of the sector at SR6.83 billion in 2014 compared to SR7.44 billion, or a
decrease of 8.09 percent. Its profits represented 17 percent of the banks’ total profits in the year, the report said.
Meanwhile, profits of Samba Financial Group (SFG) rose by 11.11 percent to SR5.01 billion in 2014, compared to SR4.51
billion or 12.5 percent of the bank sector’s total profits, the report said.
The other banks posted profits at different rates in 2014 compared to 2013 figures as follows: Riyad Bank SR4.35 billion
compared to SR3.94 billon (+10.26 percent), Saudi British Bank (SABB) SR4.26 billion compared to SR3.77 billion (+13.04
percent), Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) SR3.51 billion compared to SR2.40 billion (+46.13 percent), Arab National Bank (ANB)
SR2.87 billion compared to SR2.52 billion (+14 percent), Saudi Hollandi Bank (SHB) SR1.82 billion compared to SR1.5
billion (+21.3 percent), Saudi Investment Bank (SIB) SR1.43 billion compared to SR1.28 billion (+12 percent), Albilad Bank
SR 864 million compared to SR729 million (+18.49 percent), Bank AlJazira SR572 million compared to SR651 million (-12
percent), the report said
ALWALEED COMMENDED FOR KOREAN INVESTMENTS
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (KHC),
received at his office Lee Myung-bak, former president of Korea and an
accompanying delegation.
The delegation included Yoon Jeung-hyun, former minister of finance
and economy, Hong Seok-woo, former minister of Knowledge Economy,
Im Jae-hyun, chief of staff to President Lee, Kim Jin-soo, South Korean
ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Huh Tae-wan, minister/deputy head of
mission.
The meeting began as Prince Alwaleed welcomed Lee Myung-bak and
Prince Alwaleed with the former South Korean the ccompanying delegation. During the meeting, the two discussed a
number of social and economic issues, and Lee Myung-bak commended
president during the meeting.
Prince Alwaleed for his support to the Republic of Korea on the
economic front.
March 2015
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Also on the agenda of discussions was an invitation to Prince Alwaleed to visit Korea.
In response, Prince Alwaleed promised to visit Korea in the near future.
Prince Alwaleed’s investment in Korea through KHC is in the financial sector via Citigroup. Prince Alwaleed also had
investments in Korea in both Daewoo Corporation and Hyundai Motors. The meeting was also attended by a delegation
from KHC.
It included Sarmad Zok, chairman and CEO of KHI and member of KHC’s board of directors, CFO, Adel Alsayed, executive
director for private equity, International Investments, Mohammed Fahmy, KHC’s, Mohammad Al-Mujadid, senior
executive manager, office of the chairman, Heba Fatani, senior executive manager, corporate communications
Department (CCD), Intisar Al-Yamani, executive manager, CCD and Naief AlZuhair, manager website and social media.
From prince’s private office the delegation included Nada Alsugair, executive director, Finance and Administration and
Samir Anabtawi, academic adviser to the chairman.
In 1999, Prince Alwaleed was awarded “The Diplomatic Merit of the Heung Korean”; by former President Kim Dae--jung in
recognition of the prince’s investments in Korea.
In 1998, the prince had visited Korea and met with the country’s former President Kim Dae-jung at the Blue House. Prince
Alwaleed received an honorary doctorate in business management from Kyungwon University in Seoul, Korea.
CAUSEWAY FAST-TRACKS PASSPORT PROCEDURES
The Saudi and Bahraini governments are likely to have their passport systems linked up by the end of March on the King
Fahd Causeway, a move that is expected to save time for commuters.
Sources said the two countries would test the system on a special lane for two weeks in early March. The automated link
will address the problem of traffic jams because commuters would only have their passports checked once when entering
each country.
Saudi and Bahraini officials held a meeting earlier this week and agreed to set up a special lane and form a committee to
follow up on its implementation. The first phase of the system is for Gulf Cooperation Council citizens.
A comprehensive review of the system is expected to take place after the trial run. There are major traffic jams on the
causeway at the weekends, with up to 40,000 commuters a day crossing over.
An official at the Bahraini passports and residency affairs department said earlier that 236,436 passengers entered
Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway from Jan. 1 to 7 this year.
RCYJ AND SOUTH KOREA TO SET UP DESALINATION EQUIPMENT FACILITY
The Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu has allocated a site in the Yanbu Industrial City for the Korean company
Doosan Heavy Industries to build a plant for the manufacture of equipment and spare parts for the desalination industry
including electric generators, turbines and boilers.
The decision would help meet the needs of desalination industries in the Kingdom and help the company expand its
activities in the Gulf region and Middle East.
The operation of the plant is expected to start at the end of 2016. The company will construct a factory with capital
estimated at SR44 million. It will supply 54 percent of its products to the domestic market and 46 percent to markets
abroad.
“Thanks to the unlimited support from the government of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, the Yanbu
Industrial City has become a hub for important industries with investments exceeding SR8.4 billion,” said Alaa Nassif,
executive president of the royal commission
March 2015
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SANDSTORMS DESTROY 40% OF EP CROPS
Farmers in the Eastern Province say they have lost 40 percent of their crops because of the sandstorms last week, with
fears that the cold snap over the past few days would cause further losses.
Abbas Dahi, an investor, said most of the farms in the Eastern Province were affected because the dust destroyed the
produce-bearing flowers on plants and trees. He said it is expensive to counteract the sandstorms because large amounts
of water is needed to wash off the plants and trees. Most farmers prefer to leave them covered with dust until they
wither and die, or grow again. Dahi said open fields have been affected, not greenhouses. Removing damaged trees takes
time and increases production costs, especially now because of the cold weather. The best option for farmers is to leave
their crops as they are, he said.
He said eggplant, tomato and beans fields were severely affected by the recent sandstorms. Planting a 6,000 squaremeter open field costs between SR20,000 and SR25,000. Open fields make up 50 percent of Eastern Province farms.
98% OF CONSULTING FIRMS FOREIGN
An overwhelming majority (98 percent) of the consulting firms operating in the Kingdom are foreign, with the number of
national offices standing at a mere 150 out of 10,000 companies, experts revealed.
The volume of investments in consulting offices ranges between SR500 million and SR600 million, with the share of the
national offices reaching only 2 percent, Asim Arab, head of the National Consulting Committee, told local media.
According to Arab, local consulting firms are facing a series of challenges, notably poor product quality. As an example, he
points out how some of these offices sell copied feasibility studies at prices ranging between SR5,000 and SR 10,000, an
unprofessional practice that eventually tainted the image of local firms.
The second challenge, according to Arab, is that foreign consulting offices capture the lion’s share of the market. Some
foreign firms vie for higher prices but end up awarding the projects to national offices for lower prices.
Foreign offices then sell these projects to government-run departments. The irony is that government agencies don’t
award these projects to local companies since they lack confidence in them, but many times end up receiving documents
developed by national firms. To tackle the problem, Arab proposed the creation of a bureau to handle national consulting
offices, a plan which he stated is to be announced soon by the Ministry of Commerce.
SAUDI BANKS’ INVESTMENTS IN GOVT SECURITIES HIT SR277BN
Saudi banks invested SR277 billion in government bonds and treasury bills by the end of November 2014, of which
SR224.6 billion and SR52.4 billion were spent on treasury bills and government bonds, respectively, according to a
financial report.
Treasury bills captured 81 percent of the banks’ investments in government securities whereas the remaining 19 percent
went to government bonds by the end of November 2014, the report, filed and analyzed by Aleqtisadiah daily, said.
Month-on-month basis, the bank’s investments in treasury bills dropped by 2 percent compared to investments of Oct
2014 which stood at SR228.6 billion and SR53.7 billion for government bonds, the report said.
Saudi banks reportedly favored investments in the (short-term) treasury bills than (long-term) government bonds. It’s
natural that the Saudi banks prefer short-term securities for carrying least risks and generating quick liquidity to run their
cash flows, the report said. Investments of the Saudi banks in government securities registered the highest records in Sep.
2014 totaling some SR289.4 billion, of which SR235.4 billion and SR54 billion went to treasury bills and government bonds,
respectively, the report said.
Chronologically speaking, Saudi banks’ investments in government securities have steadily increased since 1993 when it
was SR43.5 billion, then increased to SR150.7 billion in a 10-year period (2003), then jumped to SR209.9 billion in 2008
but dropped to SR154.2 billion in 2009 in the wake of the global financial crisis, the report said.
However, Saudi banks once again began to inject more funds in government securities as from 2011 and have continued
to grow since then to reach SR228.7 billion in 2013 and SR277 in Nov. 2014, the report said.
March 2015
25
NEW TOURISM LAW APPROVED
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has recently got the Cabinet’s approval for the new tourism
regulations which aim to streamline the facilities and services related to tourism in general and to guide their activities
besides protecting tourist interests.
The new regulations also enhance the SCTA’s role in the tourism sector giving it more authority to conduct its activities.
The new system stipulates that general tourism locations such as beaches are protected sites owned by the government
where the state can make direct investments for tourism development or by leasing to the private sector through
auctions.
The SCTA is authorized to make suggestions for the development of any government-owned land by the private sector
following the approval of the relevant authorities. The rules also authorize the SCTA to lay down criteria to regulate
tourism events, and develop, support and promote them for marine, agricultural, health, medical, business or wildlife
tourism and others.
The new system also accords the SCTA the authority to determine the criteria for the publication of any printed or
electronic material including articles, books, maps, guide books, pictures or posters to promote tourism. It also stipulates
that anyone who plans to undertake tourism services such as providing accommodation facilities, organize tours, set up
tour and travel agencies, open offices for reservation and marketing of tourist accommodation or supplying tourist guide
service must obtain a license from the SCTA after meeting the conditions and providing the necessary guarantees
specified in the new regulations.
The regulations also permit SCTA to encourage the establishment of societies in the field of tourist shelters, trades and
other tourism related activities including grading, supervising and conducting inspections besides taking penal measures
against violators of the new regulations.
Additionally, businessmen dealing in tourism and tour operators will have to register all details about their employees
with the SCTA and update the data every three months. It also requires all private education and training institutes that
conduct tourism related programs to adhere to the standards laid down by the SCTA.
The SCTA will also have to set up a tourism data center in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and other related
departments to compile all information related to the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
All businessmen and operators in the tourism service sector will have to reorganize their services in line with the new
system within a year of implementing the new system which replaces the Royal Decree on Hotels Regulations dated April
23, 1975
GREEN LIGHT FOR SAUDI WOMEN DIPLOMATS
The Foreign Ministry does not oppose the notion of having Saudi women serve as ambassadors overseas, a ministry
official has said.
Women can fill these senior positions as long as they have the qualifications to do so, said Osama Nugali, spokesman of
the ministry. He said senior ministry officials and Shoura Council members would discuss the issue at an upcoming council
meeting, including funding programs for employees abroad.
He said the ministry has been employing Saudi women for the past 10 years, with more than 370 working abroad as
undersecretaries or attaches. He also announced that the ministry has opened its doors for women seeking jobs in the
diplomatic corps from Jan. 18 to 30.
Candidates should submit their applications on www.mofa.gov.sa. Interviews and written examinations would take place
on Feb. 15 and 16 at the Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Exhibition Hall at Imam Muhammad Islamic University in Riyadh.
The ministry said hiring would be done on merit. The regulations stipulate that applicants have to be Saudi, have good
character, not convicted for breach of honor or trust, and not have been sacked from government service. Another
condition is that an applicant should not be married to a non-Saudi.
They should also be of good health and pleasing appearance.
An applicant should have a bachelor’s degree at very good grade and not be above 30. Those seeking employment as a
second secretary should not be above 35 and have a master’s degree at a very good grade.
March 2015
26
Their majors must include political science, law, economics, public relations, journalism, international relations, English,
French, Spanish, or international business management. Those candidates with qualifications from foreign universities
should have their certificates accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education.
The ministry will accept an application only if it is accompanied by certified qualifications, a copy of the civil status card
and a recent photograph. Selected candidates will have to undergo training of six months at the Institute of Diplomatic
Studies in Riyadh with a monthly stipend of SR1,500. They should also be willing to work at a Saudi mission abroad.
SAUDI YOUTH AGOG OVER KOREAN MUSIC AND TV
Increasing numbers of Saudi youngsters are watching Korean television serials and
music shows on the Internet, rather than the traditional staple of those produced
in Turkey, a researcher has found.
The most popular are Boys over Flowers and Sorry, I Love You, which are dubbed
or translated into various languages, including Arabic. They are either downloaded
or streamed from various Internet sites. Many youths are also trying to learn the
basics of the Korean language.
Khaled Jalban, a family and community medicine consultant, said that the growing popularity of shows from Western and
other cultures are an indication that young Arabs are losing contact with their own culture.
“We are not against the learning of foreign languages but we are opposed to Western customs and traditions taking a
foothold in our midst and this language becoming part of our lives.” Jalban believes these youth do not have selfconfidence.
He commended the efforts of several organizations to promote local culture among young people, which would help
prevent them from losing their Islamic and Arab identities. He said Mexican, Turkish and Korean customs can influence
young Saudis and create a barrier between them and their communities in the country.
Schoolteacher Hana Al-Saeedi said that many of her pupils are fans of the Korean entertainment industry. “There are
several girls who are learning to write their names in Korean on their notebooks. They also exchange Korean words.”
Hind Muhammad, a university student, said she loves Korean movies because they are diverse and not repetitive. She
also likes Korean songs and follows news about groups such as Double S.
Renim Al-Arawi said most of the Korean movies are about romance, which appeals to young men and women. There are
also many who copy the dressing styles and customs of their heroes.
She said music groups such as T Max and Wondergirls are popular among students. “Many of my friends watch these
serials and like their music and style of dancing,” she said.
Latifah Salman, a psychologist at the Mental Hospital in Asir, said: “Modern communication and information technology
has brought Saudi youths into contact with the latest and different ideas. These ideas expand the horizons of their
knowledge, culture and improve their lifestyle.”
She does not believe that watching films of other countries would adversely affect the personalities and identity of young
Saudis.
“In fact, in the course of students going on foreign scholarships a kind of cultural and knowledge dialogue takes place
between our students and the people of other countries.
It is an opportunity for cultural exchange which will have a significant impact on the intellectual development of our
youthsand strengthen their social and economic development,” she said.
March 2015
27
RENEWAL OF LICENSE TIED TO CERTIFICATE OF SAUDIZATION
The another major move to force private companies to
employ Saudis, the Council of Ministers on Monday passed a
law making it mandatory for firms seeking renewal of their
commercial licenses to present Saudization certificates issued
by the Labor Ministry.
“A Saudization certificate … shall be considered one of the
main documents for applying for the renewal of licenses,
opening or operating a firm, obtaining business visas and
issuing commercial registrations for the branch of a firm that
has failed to employ the required number of Saudis,” said the
Cabinet chaired by Crown Prince Salman, deputy premier and
minister of defense.
Labor Minister Adel Fakeih thanked the Cabinet for adopting this decision, saying it would encourage private companies
to employ more Saudis. “The decision reflects the government’s desire to end the unemployment problem among the
Saudis,” he added.
Fakeih said his ministry would coordinate with the relevant government departments to implement the Cabinet decision
and establish electronic links with them to exchange information.
“The ministry is also studying a proposal on gradually increasing the cost of employing foreign workers, especially for
companies that violate Saudization regulations, and another proposal to force violating firms to bear the cost of
employing Saudis,” Fakeih said.
The Cabinet approved an amendment to the law governing the activities of the Human Resources Development Fund,
saying its revenues would include fees received in lieu of services provided by the fund to the private sector to train
citizens and replace foreign workers.
Referring to the business visas, the Cabinet said the labor and foreign ministries would set out a mechanism to prevent
companies that failed to fulfill Saudization conditions from obtaining such visas. The new law bans small firms having nine
or less foreign workers, without any Saudis, from having access to electricity.
“This Cabinet decision will definitely boost Saudization. It will have a big impact on small and medium enterprises run by
expatriates,” said Ibrahim Badawood, managing director of ALJ Community Initiatives.
“The decision shows that the government wants the private sector to employ more Saudi workers,” Badawood told Arab
News. “It will have an immediate effect on grocery shops that do not employ any Saudis. They will not get electricity if
they fail to present Saudization certificates.”
He said the new Cabinet decision is in line with the Commerce and Industry Ministry’s campaign against cover-up
(tasattur) businesses run by expatriates with the support of some Saudis.
The total value of cover-up businesses across the Kingdom is estimated at more than SR230 billion. Expatriates dominate
about 90 percent of retail and wholesale markets in the country.
NEW KSA MISSIONS IN IRAQ TO BOOST TIES
A Saudi delegation is set to visit Iraq this week in
order to prepare the ground for the reopening of the
Saudi Embassy in Baghdad, 24 years after the
Kingdom closed its diplomatic mission there.
Riyadh has also announced plans to set up a
consulate in Erbil.
A technical committee from the Foreign Ministry will
leave for Baghdad this week to coordinate with the
Iraqi Foreign Ministry on the necessary
arrangements for selecting appropriate buildings for
both missions, said a report, published by SPA.
March 2015
28
Osama Nugali, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, could not provide the exact date of the visit of the Saudi
delegation.
Fayyad Al-Oraifi, a political analyst, commented: “The Saudi decision to open diplomatic missions comes after Iraq
responded positively to the gestures of the Saudi leadership.”
Riyadh now needs to resolve “technical, administrative and security” issues before it can re-establish the mission and
assign an ambassador, said Al-Oraifi.
Iraqi President Fouad Masoum visited Riyadh late last year, raising hopes of better relations between the two neighbors.
Saudi Arabia, which closed its embassy in Baghdad in 1990 following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, will possibly name its first
post-Gulf war ambassador soon.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal announced plans to reopen the embassy in September last year.
Prince Saud’s announcement followed his wide-ranging talks with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Al-Jaafari in Jeddah. AlJaafari described the decision as “important and necessary.”
VISITORS’ MEDICAL INSURANCE A MUST
Health insurance would be mandatory for all foreigners coming to the Kingdom on visit visas, the Cooperative Health
Insurance Council announced on Wednesday following a meeting chaired by the health minister.
“Those applying for visas to enter the Kingdom for a visit, an extension or in transit, as well as their dependents should
present valid insurance certificates for medical cover inside the Kingdom,” an official said.
The new measure, which has been approved by the Saudi Cabinet, would not be applied to Haj and Umrah pilgrims,
holders of diplomatic and special passports, state guests and those coming for medical treatment.
“Visitors from international organizations and diplomatic missions will also be exempted from the law on the basis of
reciprocal treatment,” the official said.
He said the insurance certificates are required to meet expenses for the treatment of diseases, emergency cases, first aid
and air ambulance services.
The official did not say when the new scheme would be imposed. However, insurance specialists said it would be
implemented soon. According to one specialist, the insurance premium could be about SR100 for a month.
“We don’t know whether this system will be implemented through a single insurance company or open to competition
for all licensed companies,” said the specialist, who requested anonymity. He said the measure required further
clarification from the government.
However, he welcomed the move saying it would help visitors and transit passengers get proper health cover, especially
in emergencies such as road accidents. It will cover an estimated 1 million visitors to the Kingdom, especially relatives of
expatriate workers.
Another expert estimated the Kingdom’s insurance market at more than SR25 billion, especially after health insurance
cover was made mandatory for the issuance of resident permits for expatriates and their family members.
March 2015
29
★ KOREA
U.S. URGES N. KOREA TO ACCEPT U.N. RECOMMENDATIONS ON HUMAN RIGHTS
The United States urged North Korea on Wednesday to take steps to improve its human rights record in accordance with
recommendations in a landmark U.N. report on the situation.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the U.N. Commission of Inquiry (COI) report reflects the international
community's "consensus view that the human rights situation in North Korea is among the world's worst." "We urged
North Korea to take concrete steps as recommended by the Commission of Inquiry to improve the human rights situation.
We will continue to work with the international community to sustain international attention on the deplorable human
rights situation in North Korea. And that is something that we remain committed to," she said at a regular press briefing.
Tuesday marked the first anniversary of the COI report.
The report called for handling the North's human rights abuses as "crimes against humanity" at the International Criminal
Court. The report led later to the U.N. General Assembly adopting a resolution calling for referring the situation to the ICC.
The U.N. Security Council has also placed the issue on its agenda for ongoing attention.
North Korea has strongly protested against the COI report and the U.N. resolution, rejecting accusations of human rights
abuses as evidence of hostile U.S. policy toward the communist regime
Korea Herald(19. February.2015)
GET IN THE MOOD FOR SEOLLAL
Seollal, or the Lunar New Year, is one of the few times in Korea when tradition comes out from behind its ultramodern
facade and to the fore.
During the holiday, which this year falls on Feb. 18-20, most Koreans rekindle with distant family members and pay
respects to one’s ancestors through “charye,” offering up a table full of food on the first morning of the New Year.
Aside from the ancestral rite, one of the most common practices of Seollal is
“sebae,” where children pay respect to their parents and grandparents by getting
down on their knees and bowing. Those who receive sebae then typically offer up
a monetary reward for such respects.
“It is definitely a foreign concept to most Americans, but I do like that there is a
strong emphasis placed on respect,” said expat and English teacher Grant Heilman.
When Koreans flock to their hometowns to revisit their Confucian roots through
these ritualistic obligations and family gatherings, Seoul turns into a ghost town
with very few shops open or cars and people on the street.
Koreans and foreigners exchange Lunar New
Year greetings.
It is eerie, even a bit lonesome, many expats say.
“Seollal is probably one of those times when expats miss their own family back
home most and feel lonely,” said Cho Young-mi, an official at the Seoul Global
Center, a city-run body tasked with making life in Seoul easier for expats.
“We roll out various programs to help expats make friends, understand the Korean
tradition and introduce their own celebration of the New Year,” she said. Those
programs, however, finish before Seollal, because the center itself is closed on the
holiday.
Still, the upcoming break can be a wonderful time to enjoy city sites and leisure
activities in relative quiet.
Most state-run museums, parks and historic sites will open for free to everyone
during the three-day break, which leads right into the weekend. Various cultural
programs will take place there, including a chance to taste tteokguk, the traditional Korean rice cake soup. For Koreans,
eating a bowl of tteokguk represents the passage to being one year older.
A family flies kites on a Lunar New Year holiday
Myeong-dong and some other tourist-heavy streets will be just as busy as usual, since the country expects an
unprecedented number of Chinese travelers during the holiday.
March 2015
30
Whether you want to bid welcome to the Year of the Sheep in true Korean fashion or simply look for ways to enjoy the
five-day break, there are countless venues across the city, holding various cultural events this holiday season.
Some of the most popular destinations that are open during Seollal include the Namsangol Hanok Village and the Korean
Folk Village, Jongmyo Shrine and all four of Seoul’s palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung and
Deoksugung).
Those looking for more thrill-seeking, family-friendly fun, Everland, Lotte World and Seoulland will also be open during
the holiday.
Korea Herald(18. February.2015)
PARK RENEWS CALLS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM
President Park Geun-hye urged economic ministries on Tuesday to lead crucial reforms of business regulations, public
firms and the labor market.
In a joint policy briefing for Park led by the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, six state agencies, including the Labor
Ministry and the Land Ministry, said they would push forward with the government’s three-year reform plan to
restructure public enterprises, adopt new labor systems and implement fiscal policies to fuel growth and boost the
livelihoods of the middle class. The agriculture and oceans ministries and the Fair Trade Commission also joined the
briefing.
“Although public enterprises have reduced debt and employee benefit packages, the people are still not satisfied with
their productivity and efficiency,” Park told the ministries.
“I urge the Finance Ministry to lead other ministries to actively push forward reforms in the public sector without
retreating and causing a ‘yo-yo syndrome.’”
The Finance Ministry said that it would further push state-owned enterprises to reduce debt and completely root out
reckless management, and either merge or shut down overlapping businesses by 2016, a year ahead of its initial schedule.
Park also called for ensuring flexibility in the labor market, saying reform in the sector was the most important task for
building a strong economy under the three-year economic reform plan aimed at boosting the annual growth rate to 4
percent and achieving more than $40,000 per capita income.
The Labor Ministry said it would have state-run enterprises adopt a wage peak system and expand a performance-based
bonus and pay system so that the private sector could follow suit. The ministry said that the performance-based measure
would apply to those who had worked more than seven years at state-owned enterprises.
Korea Herald(13 January 2015)
PARK URGES N.K. TO ACCEPT TALKS OFFER
President Park Geun-hye on Tuesday urged Pyongyang to take a sincere step toward realizing inter-Korean talks, in
response to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s offer of conditional dialogue last week.
“North Korea should come forward for inter-Korean talks and cooperation as soon as possible, to discuss specific projects
to establish peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula,” she said while presiding over a weekly Cabinet meeting at
Cheong Wa Dae.
Park said that she was “glad” to hear that North Korea was willing to hold summit talks. North Korean leader Kim
demonstrated his desire to hold a “top-level meeting” with the South and restore cross-border ties in his New Year’s
address. But Park requested that the communist state show its commitment first, as a series of previous proposals have
ended in failure.
Korea Herald(6 January 2015)
March 2015
31
Opinion
KEEPING OUR DESERT CLEAN
By Abdulateef Al-Mulhim
This week mid-term break starts for all students in the Kingdom. Many of them will go abroad with their friends and
families to explore different parts of the world. Many others who will be staying in the Kingdom are most likely to head to
the desert to camp for a few days.
Sandy beautiful deserts cover more than 30 percent of Saudi Arabia. If it rains properly during the months of October or
November, a huge area of the desert will turn green. There are some areas, where green desert plans can grow as high as
one meter. Desert camping is part of the Saudi society and now many expatriates spend time in the desert. The largest
sand desert in the Kingdom is the Rub Al-Khali (Empty Quarter), which covers an area of 650,000 square kilometers and it
is the largest continuous sand body in the world. The second largest sand body is the Great Nafud, which has one of the
most spectacular transverse sand dunes that can reach up to 120 meters. The sand of Nafud is reddish in color unlike the
yellowish hue in other deserts. Then there is the Al-Dahna, which stretches from north to the south. There are other
smaller deserts in the Kingdom and spending few days in these deserts is a good retreat, away from the noisy cities.
Desert has a very fragile environment because the plants, insects, lizards, rodents, snakes, birds, and everything else is
highly dependent on each other for survival in the harsh environment. This is the reason behind the disappearance of
larger animals, which used to roam around before the human interference with nature. Now, the Saudi government is
declaring some parts of the desert as protected areas and it is normal to see gazelle, oryx and even small wild animals.
The bottom line is that the desert environment is very fragile and we are not helping.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the Kingdom camp around in the deep parts of the desert and they erect
tents. The campers take with them all the needed material. But many leave their campground leaving behind tons of
waste, which contains many poisonous or harmful materials such as plastic containers or metallic substances such as food
cans.
These materials when consumed by lizards or insects cause their deaths. In addition to that, when metallic things are left
behind, they become rusty and affect the natural lifecycle in the desert. So, it is very important for people to treat the
desert with respect. Many people see the desert as a vast wide area but at the end it will be full of leftover of garbage and
other harmful materials. Campers must take with them garbage bags and collect any materials, which are harmful to the
desert. It is true that some of the leftover is considered consumable by the rodents or insects but is very easy for any
driver along any Saudi highway going through the desert to see the sun’s reflections on plastic, glass bottles or metallic
cans. Making the desert dirty is easy but cleaning it is almost impossible. So, it is important to keep our deserts clean. Not
just for the insects or lizards but also for future generations.
March 2015
32
Notice
◈ WRITE FOR “KOREA SAUDI NEWSLETTER”
Korea Saudi Friendship Society Publish bi-monthly “Korea Saudi Newsletter” (The Bridge Over Asia), on behalf of 5 million
people who visited and love KSA, now wishes to utilize this newsletter to promote further in-depth exchange of
information and deepen better understanding of each other. Contents will cover all fields of both country’s mutual
understanding information and introduction.
▷ Manuscripts should be in English
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▷ Articles to be submitted one month before each publication
▷ Please also specify copyright information
▷ Send your article to: [email protected]
▷ Tel : 070 8234 9895 , (+82-2)586-6308(+FAX), (+82)10-4753-0322, (+966)053-614-4721
▷ Address : Korea-Saudi Friendship Society, Seocho Daewoo TheO’ville Room #1522, 1355-17,
SeochoDong SeoCho Gu, 137-070, Seoul, Korea
◈ KSFS NEWSLETTER PRINCIPLE
▷ Mutual understanding and friendship enhancement, in accordance with establishment
purpose of KSFS
▷ Give hope and dream to the youth by introducing advanced technology and knowledge,
in order to promote development of Korea and Saudi Arabia
▷ Prohibit any violation of individual’s human rights, and forbid criticism towards country
or individuals
◈ CONTRIBUTION TO KSFS
Our Society is solely operated by precious contributions from all individuals and companies who love Saudi Arabia and
Korea.
Your Contribution will be fully used to implement fundamental establishment purpose of the Society that is to promote
mutual cultural, economic, and other relations between Saudi Arabia and Korea.
KSFS is approved by the government as Utility Donation Organization. Receipt will be given upon request.
< Overseas >
< Domestic >
Bank: Korea Exchange Bank
Bank: KB 국민은행
Account: 861-000245-674 (US Dollar Only)
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Holder: KOREASAUDIF.S
예금주: 한국-사우디 친선협회
March 2015
33
◈ NEWSLETTER STAFF
▷ Publisher:
Lee Jong Cheon (Abdullah Lee)
▷ Publishing Director:
Michael Lee
▷ Chief Editor:
Joo, Yoon Keang
▷ Editors:
Riyadh: Abdul Majeed, Kwon won Koo
Jeddah: Nuray Bamanie
Dammam: Mariam
Seoul: Sung Chang Kyu
Busan: Tara Choi
Daejeon: Sung Na Yeon
▷ Assistant:
Riyadh: H.K. Choi
Seoul: Han Young, Ye Lee, HJ Lee
▷ Design:
March 2015
Kwon Oh Hyun, Sung Tae Young
34

Korea-Saudi Newsletter

Transcription

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