ARABIALINK Daily News – SAUDI ARABIA – Excerpts from International Media Reports
Saudi in Talks For Project Liberty-Type Spy Planes [Jul 23]
“L-3 Communications Holdings Inc is in discussions with Saudi Arabia on a potential order for a fleet of spy planes similar to ones used by the US Air Force, chief executive officer Mike Strianese said. “Saudi Arabia is interested in the Project Liberty-type system,” Strianese said on Thursday in an interview at the Farnborough Air Show, near London. The kingdom may consider “a handful” of planes for internal security, he said.. ..The US Defense Department is preparing to ask permission from Congress for an arms package for Saudi Arabia that includes military airplanes, navy vessels and missile defense systems, Navy Vice Admiral Jeffrey Wieringa, head of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, said in an interview in Farnborough on Wednesday. The potential sale of the Project Liberty spy planes would be part of that package..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Tops Foreign Direct Investment Recipient in Mideast: UN Report Jul 23]
“Saudi Arabia came eighth among top 10 recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the world in 2009, making the oil-rich kingdom the top FDI destination in the Middle East, a UN report said. According to the World Investment Report (WIR) of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), released in Riyadh on Thursday, Saudi Arabia lured 36 billion U.S. dollars in foreign direct investments last year, Saudi-based Arab News newspaper reported Friday. “Being the largest FDI recipient in the region, Saudi Arabia has projected impressive growth last year and it has earned investor confidence from global entrepreneurs,” Taffere Tescfachew, chief of the Office of UNCTAD Secretary-General and Strategy and Policy Coordination, was quoted by the paper as telling a news conference in the Saudi capital. The report that covered 192 countries was released simultaneously in 42 countries worldwide..” [Complete Report]
Raytheon Wins Saudi TOW Missile Contract [Jul 23]
” Raytheon has been awarded a $55 million contract by the U.S. government to deliver TOW 2A radio frequency missiles to Saudi Arabia. The tube-launched, optically tracked, wireless-guided missile includes an RF transmitter added to the missile case and an RF receiver in the missile. The contract is part of the U.S. foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia’s national guard. The weapon has been around since the early 1970s and was first used by the U.S. military in Vietnam. But it has undergone successive upgrades and variant developments, including that of the TOW 2A variant..” [Complete Report]
Nike Signs Saudi Arabia Distribution Deal [Jul 23]
“Saudi Arabian retailer and wholesaler Sun and Sand Sports has entered a distribution agreement with sporting goods giant Nike. The deal includes the distribution of apparel, footwear and accessories in the country. Abdul Aziz Hassan Baqer, chairman of Gulf Marketing Group, said: “Sun and Sand Sports already has the distinction of being the Nike distributor in UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. The addition of Saudi Arabia is a significant milestone achieved.” The agreement was signed at the Gulf Marketing Group office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates between Karsten Koehler, Nike’s distributors business director and Abdul Aziz Hassan Baqer, chairman of Gulf Marketing Group..” [Complete Report]
