SAUDI ARABIA BUSINESS ITEMS - GULFWIRE DIGEST - 2003 ISSUES

December 22, 2003
 - Kingdom Signs WTO Pacts With 7 Nations
 - Saudi Aramco Launches $533M Independent Power Project
 - Saudi Arabia Boosts Investment In Bonds
 - Saudi-Russian Talks Focus On Investment In 'IT', Construction
 - Jeddah Economic Forum To Highlight Burning Issues
 - Asir Water Contracts Signed
 - 2,500 Saudi Companies Shift To Dubai
 - Jeddah Motor Show Opens
 - Mitsui To Build Saudi Arabia Power Plants
 - Income Tax Law Significant: Al-Assaf
 - Scrap Male Agent Requirement, Say Women Investors
 - Saudi Arabia Bans Dolls, Stuffed Animals

December 15, 2003
 - Saudi Firms In Iraqi Contracts
 - IMF Urges Saudi Arabia To Levy Excise Duty
 - Kingdom To Lend China SR180 Million
 - Consortium To Advise On Railroad Project
 - Exporters Urge To Set Up Joint Iraq-Saudi Banking
 - Saudi Arabia Suggests Cuts In Oil Production In Early 2004
 - Saudi Banks Set To Make Record Profits This Year
 - Australian Trade Minister In Saudi Arabia
 - Saudi Aramco Launches SR2 Billion Power Project
 - Exhibitors Clinch Multimillion Riyal Deals At Jeddah Fair
 - Saudis Own Property Worth SR900 Billion
 - Saudi, German Businesswomen Meet In Jeddah
 - SA To Sign Groundbreaking Trade Agreement With Saudi Arabia

December 8, 2003
 - Kingdom Reaches Out To Attract Investors
 - SAGIA Chief Assures Potential Investors Of Full Protection
 - IMF Urges Saudi Arabia To Push Private Investment
 - US Wants Saudis To Bid For Iraq Contracts
 - Foreign Firms Show Interest In Bauxite Project
 - Saudi Arabia's Oil Reserves Worth $6.5 Trillion
 - Major Trade Fair Set To Open In Jeddah
 - 'Hawala' Transactions Remain Popular Despite Crackdown
 - Tourism Aims To Create Two Million Jobs
 - Commerce Minister Affirms Economic Reform At UNIDO Conference
 - Kingdom's WTO Move Outstanding: US Official
 - Analysts Say STC Shares Undervalued
 - More Job Opportunities For Saudi Women
 - Thailand Favors Normalization Of Ties With Kingdom

December 1, 2003
 - Businessmen Call For Unrestricted Travel Rights For Pilgrims
 - Saudi Arabia's Investments In Egypt's Free Zones Reach $147.6 Million
 - Saudis Spend SR150M A Year On English Language Courses
 - NBP To Open Branches In Saudi Arabia

November 24, 2003
 - Al-Ghalayini Nominated For Top ABCC Post
 - Saudi Group To Invest $100M For Setting Up Steel Complex
 - Overseas Mobile Phone Operators To Be Licensed

November 17, 2003
 - Naimi Signs Deal With Shell-Total
 - Saudi Oil Minister, Aramco Under Fire
 - Saudis To Maintain Cuts In December
 - Expert Calls 2003 An Exceptional Year For Saudi Economy
 - SGHG To Establish 5 Medical Colleges
 - Saudi Rabigh Refinery To Be Upgraded For $4.1B
 - Saudis Move Closer To Tornado Buy
 - Riyadh Blasts Not To Affect Investment Climate
 - Remittances By Expats, Saudis Drain On Economy, Study Says

November 10, 2003
 - GOV'T Allocates SR3.7B For Training Of Young Saudis
 - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Extend Crude Deal
 - Saudi Aramco Launches Arabic Website
 - SAMA Chief Turns Spotlight On Public Debt And Fiscal Balance
 - Saudi Trade Ban To Stay Until Next Year
 - Kingdom And South Africa To Sign Deals
 - Kingdom Fears Shortage Of Sand
 - Saudi Arabia Gets First Woman Pharmacist

November 3, 2003
 - Saudi Arabia's Non-Oil Exports To Exceed SR37 Billion During The
Current Year
 - Supreme Council Ok's Gas Project
 - Saudization' Drive Facing Obstacles
 - Privatization Planned For All Airports
 - Health Care Firm Set Up To Boost Private Sector
 - More Workers To Be Hired From Bangladesh
 - Kingdom Is Iraq's Largest Creditor
 - Visas On Arrival For Businessmen Urged
 - Indonesian NGOS Seek Ban On Maid Export
 - Corporate Governance & The Saudi Capital Market Law
 - Saudi Voices Of Dissent

October 27, 2003
 - Kingdom Set To Join WTO Next Year
 - Impact Of Higher Oil Prices On The Saudi Construction Sector

October 20, 2003
 - Saudi Arabia And Germany Conclude Five Trade Agreements Worth $800M
 - Saudi Delegation Explores Joint Ventures In India
 - Czech-Saudi Business Council On Way
 - Oil Trade Set To Forge Stronger Sino-Saudi Ties

October 13, 2003
 - Aramco Signs Major Deal With Shell Consortium
 - Key Railway Projects To Cost $2.66 Billion
 - Kingdom Plans Sale Of Stake In SEC
 - Saudi Arabia Ranks 45th In E-Readiness Rankings Among World's 60 
Largest Economies
 - Riyadh Economic Forum To Deal With Investment Challenges
 - Riyadh Economic Forum Calls For Greater Transparency To Attract
Investment
 - Tourism Partnerships To Enhance Saudi Health Tourism Industry

October 6, 2003
 - Russia And Saudi Arabia In Step On Maintaining Oil Prices
 - Real Estate Prices Set To Soar In EP
 - Saudi, German Businessmen Form Group
 - Saudi Arabia To Unveil $13B Power Projects
 - Riyadh Forum Will Boost Economic Development
 - Plan Approved To Saudize Sales Jobs
 - Major Power Plant Opens In Riyadh This Week
 - Satellite Channels Top Popularity Charts

September 29, 2003
 - Saudi Capital Market Reforms On Track
 - $347 Million 5-Year Plan To Develop Tourism
 - 3rd Generation Mobile Network Will Cost $2.4B
 - SDC Wins Distribution Rights Of Al-Watan Daily
 - Deal Signed To Install Computers In Schools
 - Kingdom-Taiwan Trade Up 78.95%
 - New Job Plan For Young Saudis
 - NZ Suspends Sheep Export To Saudi

September 22, 2003
 - Ideal Climate For Investment In Kingdom: SAGIA
- Computer Firms Eye Saudi Market
 - Saudi Imports From India On The Rise

September 15, 2003
 - Riyadh Set To Hold WTO Talks With Washington
 - Russia Expects $60B Saudi Investment
 - Kingdom Not To Charge Foreign Pilgrims For Health Services
 - Rome Conference To Discuss Saudi Investment Climate
 - BAE Denies Allegations Of £20M Saudi Slush Fund

September 8, 2003
 - Kingdom Sees No Need For OPEC Output Change
 - Saudi Sheep Shipments On Hold
 - Saudi Books 3 Tankers To Move Crude To US
 - Saudi To Charge Pilgrims For Health Services

September 1, 2003
 - Kingdom Step Closer To WTO
 - New Laws Allow Foreign Investors To Own Hospitals
 - Saudi Stocks Hit Record High, Oil Stays Firm
 - 2.5 Billion Barrels Of Oil Produced In 2002
 - Private Investors Show Keen Interest In Water, Electricity Projects
 - Saudi Joblessness May Rise To 12.5%: Samba
 - Preparation Under Way For Eighth Five-Year Plan (2005-09)
 - Jakarta Warned Against Increasing Manpower Recruitment Charges

August 24, 2003
 - Hoarding Causes Hike In Steel Prices
 - Saudi Shares Cruise Past 4,000-Point Mark To Make History
 - Hospital Privatization In The Offing
 - Siemens To Build Gas-Fired Power Plant In Jubail
 - Airport In Dhuba Planned
 - Ban On Livestock Import From Ethiopia Lifted

August 18, 2003
 - Focus Will Be On Investment At Arab Expo
 - Kingdom, Russia To Sign Oil Accord
 - Riyadh Eyed As Mideast Hub For It
 - Demand For Kingdom's Cement To Increase
 - Yemeni Exports To Kingdom At Standstill: Saleh
 - Saudi Group Files Lawsuit Against Lucent, ACEC
 - Kingdom To Buy 2,500 Kia Buses

August 11, 2003
 - Giant Gas Projects Set To Trigger New Investments
 - WTO Talks Progressing, Kingdom Likely To Join After 2005
 - TIFA Designed To Boost Ties After Sept. 11 Events
 - Kingdom Opens Up Water, Electricity Sectors
 - MOH Imposes Tighter Controls On Licenses For New Clinics

August 4, 2003
 - Kingdom, UN Body To Discuss Progress On WTO Accession
 - Saudi Arabia To Pursue Gas Exploration And Production Separately
 - Saudi Arabia's $30 Billion Bonus From Oil Revenues
 - Saudi-Us Trade Council
 - Europe Firms Set To Invest In Saudi Arabia
 - JCCI Chief Looks To New Aide To Boost Investment
 - E-Governance, E-Commerce To Be Promoted By Riyadh
 - Saudization Of Private Sector Faces Difficulties
 - All's Fare In Carving Out Niche In Land Transport
 - Holidaymakers' Apathy Puts A Crimp In Tourism Trade
 - Restaurant Ship Idea Floated To Boost Tourism
 - Firm Surprised At Kingdom Ban On Zamzam Cola  

July 28, 2003
 - Govt To Invite Tenders For Gas Projects
 - Saudi Arabia Expects Over $900B In Foreign Investment
 - Saudi Firm, Sudan Sign $500M Deal
 - Sixteen Held Following Raid On Illegal Telephone Operations

July 21, 2003
 - Royal Dutch/Shell, Total Sign Gas Exploration Deal
 - New Oil, Gas Deposits Discovered
 - Swiss Airlines To Stop Jeddah Services From Oct. 26
 - Standard & Poor's Gives Kingdom High Sovereign Credit Ratings
 - Saudi Firm Orders Chemical Tankers From S. Korea
 - Hotels In Recruitment Drive To Meet Saudization Target
 - Stiff Competition Among Tour Operators Benefits Pilgrims
 - Taxi Companies 'Not Yet Ready For Transition'
 - Biggest Mideast Recycling Plant Opens In Jeddah

July 14, 2003
- Al-Riyadh To Be Printed In Four Arab Capitals
 - Saudia Sticks By Mobile Ban, Despite Study
 - SARS Ban Cost Millions In Lost Trade, Business Opportunities
 - Saudi-Egyptian Pact On Umrah Quota

July 7, 2003
 - SAMA Initiates Action To Curb Illegal Money Transactions
 - Saudi Businessmen Delegation Arrives In Moscow
 - Saudi Stocks Surge 43.5% In First Half
 - Real Estate Prices In EP May Reach 15-Year High
 - Four Saudi Firms Win $466M Power Deals
 - Internet Regulations Tightened
 - Saudia, Gulf Air Sign Agreement

June 30, 2003
 - Gas Deal Still On - Royal Dutch/Shell
 - Kingdom To Brief Firms On Gas Exploration Openings
 - Petrol Prices To Go Up In 2006
 - Saudia Needs To Lay Off 2,880 Employees: Report
 - Kingdom's Construction Sector Grows
 - Saudi Labor Law 'To Be Revised'

June 23, 2003
 - Saudia's Monopoly Of Domestic Skies To End
 - Saudi Group Plans Domestic Airline
 - Cabinet Clears Way For Stock Exchange
 - Expert Hopes Sec Move Will Help Tap 'Free Funds'
 - Copyright Law May Facilitate WTO Entry
 - Saudi Oil Production To Reach 22M By 2020
 - Riyadh Forum To Focus On Investment In Four Key Sectors
 - Jeddah Industrial Forum
 - Pirated Video Cassette Business Thrives In Eastern Province

June 16, 2003
 - The Mega-Gas Deal: What Went Wrong?
 - Two Saudi Companies Clinch Iraq Reconstruction Contracts
 - UN Cancels Contracts Of Saudi Firms In Iraq
 - Economy In Good Shape: Al-Assaf
 - Private Sector Keen On French Expertise
 - Moves To Reduce Expatriates Could Undermine Economic Strategies
 - Software Piracy Costs Economy $2.93B
 - SABB Launches NASDAQ Bonus Fund
 - Banks' Financing Of Kingdom's Private Sector Exports Falls
 - Commercialization Of Expat Education
 - ABC Appointed Adviser For Major Saudi Projects

June 9, 2003
 - Saudi Scraps $15B Exxon-Led Gas Deal
 - Russia's Gazprom May Bid For National Gas Initiative Contracts
 - Naimi Defends OPEC Price Policy
 - Saudi, Venezuela Woo Mexico Over Oil
 - Saudis, Japan In Chemical Venture
 - Tourist Visas: All Hurdles To Go, Says Sultan
 - Visa Curbs Cost Canada Business
 - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Awards Raytheon Air Defense System Contract
 - No License For New Taxi Firms Seeking Foreign Manpower
 - Women To Take Up Business Issues With Shoura Council

June 2, 2003
 - Sweet & Sour: Fate of Saudi Gas Project Rests With the Minister
 - Saudis Create an Energy Services Company
 - HRDF Strategy to Create 20,000 Jobs for Saudis This Year
 - Bid to Boost Women's Role in Business
  
May 26, 2003
 - Western-Owned Businesses in Jeddah Take a Direct Hit
 - Saudi Arabia Attracts Over $13B in Capital
 - More Job Sectors to Open up for Saudi Women
 - 100 Saudi Women may Apply for Business Licenses
 - Saudi Families Discovering New Travel Destinations
 - Contract Signed to Employ Saudis at McDonald's Outlet
 - Signs of Investors Confidence in Tourism
 - New Saudi-German Group Formed
 - Gas Plant Ready Ahead of Schedule

May 19, 2003
 - Local Businessmen Fear Blast Will Affect Investment
 - Boeing Pulls Staff Out of Saudi Arabia
 - BA Cancels Stopovers for Air Crews in Kingdom
 - Saudis Likely to Cut Supplies to Customers
 - SAA Privatization Study to be Submitted to Board of Directors
 - First Phase Negotiations for WTO Entry Nearly Completed
 - Kingdom Promises Dialogue for Oil Price Stability
 - Bechtel Looking for Saudi Firms to Carry Out Iraq Projects
 - Saudi Arabia's Foreign Workforce

May 12, 2003
      - Naimi Authorized to Conclude Mega Gas Deals - Report
      - Hurdles Preventing $25B Gas Deal Cleared: Saud
      - Saudis Want UN to Make up For Losses in Iraq Business
      - AL-Assaf Rules Out Further Cuts in Tax on Foreign Firms
      - Kingdom Set to Free up Tourism Sector in Bid to Woo Westerners
      - Kingdom Set to Wipe Out Deficit: Report
      - North-South Railway Wins Cabinet Backing
      - Cut Piracy and Earn Billions - Study
      - Computer Hardware Mart Growing Steadily
      - Kingdom May Stop Recruiting Maids From Indonesia
      - Full Saudization Must For New Taxi Company Licenses
      - First Hotel Management School for Jeddah
   
May 19, 2003
 - Local Businessmen Fear Blast Will Affect Investment
 - Boeing Pulls Staff Out of Saudi Arabia
 - BA Cancels Stopovers for Air Crews in Kingdom
 - Saudis Likely to Cut Supplies to Customers
 - SAA Privatization Study to be Submitted to Board of Directors
 - First Phase Negotiations for WTO Entry Nearly Completed
 - Kingdom Promises Dialogue for Oil Price Stability
 - Bechtel Looking for Saudi Firms to Carry Out Iraq Projects
 - Saudi Arabia's Foreign Workforce

May 12, 2003
      - Naimi Authorized to Conclude Mega Gas Deals - Report
      - Hurdles Preventing $25B Gas Deal Cleared: Saud
      - Saudis Want UN to Make up For Losses in Iraq Business
      - AL-Assaf Rules Out Further Cuts in Tax on Foreign Firms
      - Kingdom Set to Free up Tourism Sector in Bid to Woo Westerners
      - Kingdom Set to Wipe Out Deficit: Report
      - North-South Railway Wins Cabinet Backing
      - Cut Piracy and Earn Billions - Study
      - Computer Hardware Mart Growing Steadily
      - Kingdom May Stop Recruiting Maids From Indonesia
      - Full Saudization Must For New Taxi Company Licenses
      - First Hotel Management School for Jeddah

May 5, 2003 
 - U.S. Energy Secretary, Saudis Discuss Oil
 - Oil Output Capacity to Top 11M BPD By 2007: Report
 - Tax On Foreign Firms Slashed
 - SAGIA Governor Calls for Further Cut in Tax on Foreign Firms 
 - Telecom Market to be Opened up to Foreign Investment
 - Hectic Efforts on to Merge Taxi Companies

April 28, 2003
 - Saudis Vow Significant Cuts
 - Natural Gas Initiative Still on Track: Saud
 - Kingdom, Pakistan Approve $15.2 Million for Company Financing
 - Saudi Economy to Gain on High Oil Prices 
 - Traders Urged to File for Compensation Over Iraq Deals
 - New Rail Line Expected to Boost Trade 
 - Locals Irked by Flaws in Gold Market Saudization
 - SARS Hits Umrah Bookings
 - Toon City: A Theme Park First for Saudi Arabia

April 21, 2003
 - Iraqi Contracts
 - Saudia Privatization to Bring in Huge Revenues
 - Abdullah Orders Saudization of 21 More Sectors
 - Obstacles Hampering Inflow of Foreign Investment Identified
 - Ma'aden-Bechtel Deal to Generate 12,000 Jobs for Saudis
 - Passengers, Airlines Shy Away from KFIA
 - Credit Card Culture Grows Among Saudis
 - Kingdom to Open Up Insurance Sector for Foreign Investment
 - Saudis Angry with STC

April 14, 2003
 - Expats To Lose 9,771 Bank Jobs
 - Saudi Business Voices Reservations Over Iraq Reconstruction
 - Businessman Eye Share In Iraqi Contracts
 - Saudi To Post Hugh Surplus Over Rising Crude Revenues
 - Saudi Shares Surge To All-Time High On  War Progress
 - Large Medical Complex Planned for Jeddah

April 7, 2003
 - Saudis Want a Piece of the Iraqi Pie
 - Oil Prices and Impact of War to Dominate Saudi Arabian Economy
 - Tax Cut on Foreign Firms Under Study
 - GCC Insights: Saudi Telecom on the Fast Track to Liberalization
 - New Technology to Boost Oil Recovery
 - New Saudi Oil Field Discovered
 - Dumping Cost SR20B
 - Move to Employ 20,000 Saudis
 - Gold Shops Warned
 - HP To Build New Plant
 - PC Sales Down
 - Eight More Fields to be Added to Saudization List

March 31, 2003
 - No Capital Flight Due to War
 - US Aviation Firms Shut Down Offices in Kingdom
 - Report: Saudi's Oil Output in March Reaches 21-Year High
 - Bechtel, Dar Al-Riyadh to Sign $1.5B KAIA Deal
 - OFW Deployment to Saudi Arabia Restored

March 24, 2003
 - CSCCI To Study Obstacles Facing Capital Inflow
 - Kingdom's Construction Boom Set To Continue
 - Saudi GDP Growth To Rise By 3.3PC
 - Sama Report On Unemployment Non-Existent
 - New Firm To Support Saudi Industrial Sector
 - Saudi Arabia Climbs Into Top 10 Global Emerging Stock Markets
 - Saudi Funds Abroad Estimated At $800B 
 - Capital Market Expects Boost With Establishment Of Securities Commission
 - War Or No War, Kingdom To Be Biggest Arab Exporter To Iraq
 - A No-Win Situation For Saudi Job-Seekers
 - Opportunities For Women In The Manufacturing Sector
 - Saudi Businesswomen Go Off The Beaten Track
 - Auto Institute Ushers In New Saudi-Japan Era
 - Abdullah Inaugurates Major Saudization Project
 - New Law On Haj
 -Shoura Votes To Limit Trade Jobs To Saudis 

March 17, 2003
- Saudi Arabia Vows To Boost Oil Output In Event Of War 
 - Abdullah Urges Businessmen To Invest In Kingdom
 - Drastic Decline In Number Of Air Passengers 
 - Abdullah To Commission Shuaiba Two Project 
 - Kingdom, Iran Set To Sign Trade Accords
 - Investment Seminar
 - Saudization
 - Saudis Make Good On $700 Million Loan Pledge
 - 20,000 Jobs For Saudi Women In Cosmetics Field
 - Big Jump In Desalinated Water Output
 - Saudi Flow Will Hit Fuel Oil Mart

March 10, 2003
 - Unemployment Rate Hits 31.7%
 - Saudis Get More Business From Iraq
 - Tapping Inherent Wealth Is Key To Saudi Economic Invigoration
 - Saudi Arabian Banks Perform Well In 2002
 - Unskilled Workers' Re-Entry Visas Limited To 2 Months
 - Kingdom Introduces Tough Anti-Pollution Measures
 - Riyadh Plant To Produce Semi-Luxury Sports Cars
 - Young Saudis Being Targeted For Vocational Training
 - Jewelry Shops Take Stock Of Full Saudization
 - Many Shops Close Following Gold Saudization

March 3, 2003
 - Arab Banks Likely To Suffer SR225 Billion-War Loss
 - Boycott Bad For Local Business, Says Us Diplomat
 - Jobless Vent Anger At Officials In Charge Of Saudization
 - Kingdom Beckons South Africans
 - UK Trade Team Hits Town
 - KACST Opens Up To Private Investors
 - Expats' Wives Not Allowed To Teach
 - US Firm Banned 

February 24,2003
 - Saudi (Gas) Initiative Near Death
 - Haj Revenue Said To Be SR5 Billion
 - Why Saudization Is Not Working
 - E-Trading Finds Many Takers In Kingdom

February 17, 2003
 - Industrial Sector In Riyadh Grows 3.2%
 - IMF Urges Saudi Arabia To Step Up Reforms

February 10, 2003
 - Saudi Cash Reserves Surge As More Capital Returns
 - No Flight Of Funds Expected If War Breaks Out: Sama
 - Firms Eye Stake In Saudi Arabia's V-Sat Market
 - GSM Subscriber Base In Saudi Arabia Set To Rise

February 3, 2003
 - US Seeks To Boost Flagging Trade Ties
 - Naif Tells Private Firms To Employ Saudis
 - Saudization Drive Needs To Shift Focus — Banker
 - Gold Prices Hit 23-Year High In Riyadh
 - First Saudi-Built Ship Commissioned
 - Foreign Investment In Insurance To Be Allowed
 - Saudi Arabia, Italy To Set Up Firm To Boost Investment

January 27, 2003
 - One Mega Gas Deal Could Be Finalized Next Month: Saud
 - Saudi Arabia Close To Final Talks On Major Gas Projects
 - Shoura For Opening Up Of Gas Sector
 - Create Environment Conducive For Arab Capital Flow: Salman
 - Sama Calls For Steps To Tackle Growing Public Debt
 - It Firm Sets Up Online Jeddah Directory
 - Saudi Telecom Sector May Open Doors Wider
 - Circulation Of STC Shares To Increase Liquidity: Al-Suweilimi
 - Sabic Posts 60% Rise In Profits

January 20, 2003
 - Fresh Talks Planned On Saudi WTO Bid
 - Saudis May Hike Oil Production
 - Industrial Exports Grow By 23 Percent: Yamani
 - Permanent Expo Of National Products Planned In Riyadh
 - SABB Bags 32% Of STC IPO Subscription
 - Saudization Drive Begins To Falter In Vegetable Souks
 - Kingdom May Require 25 Years To Join Club Of Developed
Nations: Economist
 - Auto Industry Now Vulnerable To Market Jitters, Dealers Say

January 13, 2003
 - Reforms Vital To Boost Economic Growth In Kingdom
 - GCC Insights: Saudi Arabian Reforms Fail To Gather Momentum
 - Unemployment Rate Put At 9%
 - Saudization Of Cabbies Cleared
 - 80-Member Delegation To Attend Tokyo Meet
 - Eight Local, Int'l Firms Compete For Railway Projects
 - Ministry Forms Panel To Monitor Evasion Of Zakah, Saudization
 - Internet Service To Become Free In Kingdom Soon
 - Industrial Exports Grow By 23 Percent: Yamani
 - Saudi Arabia: Wheat Farmers In Trouble