ARABIALINK Daily News – SAUDI ARABIA – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Hai’a Staff to Learn English [Jun 22]
“The Prince Sultan Chair for Youth Research and Hisba at King Abdulaziz University here has recommended that the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (the Hai’a) learn English to help them communicate with foreigners in the Kingdom and “convey the correct image” of the Hai’a. ‘The recommendation followed a discussion on the training needs of the Hai’a, and the program or English language diploma is designed for Hai’a field staff and focuses on language skills and ways of appropriate communication with foreigners,’..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Arabia Offers Aid of US$ 10.8 Million for IDPs [Jun 22]
“Saudi Arabia has offered aid of US$ 10.8 million to United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to support Internally Displaced Persons relief efforts in Pakistan.According to a press release issued by UNHCR here on Monday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UNHCR was signed on Sunday. The Refugee Agency will use this grant to buy food and non food items for the Pakistani IDPs. These relief items including 25,000 tents, 379,200 plastic sheets, 100,000 sleeping mattresses and 25,000 kitchen sets. In addition 20,000 food packages would be distributed during the forthcoming Holy Month of Ramzan..” [Complete Report]
Schlumberger Opens Al-Khafji Oilfield Services Base in Saudi Arabia [Jun 22]
“Schlumberger, the leading supplier of oil services technology, today inaugurated the new Al-Khafji Oilfield Services base in Saudi Arabia. The facility, located in Al-Khafji City, represents an investment of more than SR20m and supports the full complement of Schlumberger services. The new base is built on 20,000m² of property generously provided and supported by Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO). It consists of workshops and maintenance laboratories as well as office space and an equipment storage yard that is designed to support current KJO operations, future expansion needs and Schlumberger’s Sauditization strategy. The state-of-the-art facility houses more than 300 employees and encompasses the full repair and maintenance of specialized oilfield technologies and equipment in addition to engineering, planning and operations support expertise for the entire range of Schlumberger Oilfield Services during the life of an oil and gas reservoirs..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Business Confidence Slightly Wavers [Jun 22]
“Banque Saudi Fransi said greater global economic uncertainty in light of the euro zone debt crisis and volatility in oil prices over the last two months has taken a toll on sentiment among Saudi business executives. The BSF Business Confidence Index, which attempts to gauge market sentiment on a quarterly basis, fell to 99.8 points in the third quarter, from 100.7 points in the second quarter, chief economist John Sfakianakis said. He also said business executives have adopted greater caution in their outlooks for financial performance, bank lending, investment strategies and hiring plans. With lower oil price expectations in mind, fewer businesses are confident that sales will improve in the coming two quarters, Sfakianakis said. More executives are choosing cash and bonds as their top investment picks in next two quarters, highlighting risk aversion..” [Complete Report]
Summer Heat Causes Blowouts in Saudi Electric Grid [Jun 22]
“Blistering summer temperatures coupled with a sandstorm caused power failures on Monday in the western region of Saudi Arabia, as the region suffered under debilitating heat wave. The skyrocketing demand for electricity to power air conditioners forced eight power turbines to go off line causing several Saudi cities to lose their power, said the Saudi Electricity Company. Company official Ahmed Al Dubekhi said in a recent statement that ‘Blackouts are taking place this summer because of an increase in the electrical loads.’ Speaking before the turbine failures, he said that the company was prepared for the spikes in demand..” [Complete Report]
