SUSRIS Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Balloon Takes King’s Message Worldwide [Apr 16]
“A hot air balloon bearing the image of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, beside the legend “King of Humanitarianism” and the Saudi flag took to the skies above Riyadh on Thursday as it embarked on a two-year journey taking a message of peace to 52 countries across the globe.. ..The initiative for the epic voyage reportedly came from the United Arab Emirates where sources described it as motivated out of ‘appreciation for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ humanitarian work and his peacemaking role in the international arena’ and to mark the 25th anniversary of first National Culture and Heritage Festival in Janadriya. Sponsored by Emirates Hot Air Balloon Company, the vessel’s first leg will take in Jeddah, Makkah and Madina before venturing out across the skies of virtually every member state of the European Union, Russia, Asian countries such as Pakistan, India, China, Mongolia, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as Australia, Africa and North and South America..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Arabia has Few Pressure Levers for Next Iraqi Government [Apr 16]
“Saudi Arabia is unlikely to play a leading role in forming the future of Iraqi government, despite the expansion of dialogue with different political parties, experts say. ‘I don’t think that Saudi Arabia has any leverage at all. At the moment the ideas are who ever forms the government in Iraq tries to reassure various neighbors including Saudi Arabic, so they don’t make difficulties. But in terms of actually manipulating Iraqi politics the Saudi Arabia is non-starters,’ – Charles Tripp, Professor of the University of London, specializing in Middle East politics believes.. ..None of runners in terms of possible prime-minister of government in Iraq, whether it is Nuri al-Maliki or Jafari or Sadr or Allawi want to present themselves as pro-Iranian, but obviously they can’t ignore Iran, British analyst on Iraqi policy, Charles Tripp said. ‘In many ways it is very important that Iraqi future government not to act like pro-Saudi Arabian or pro-Iranian, otherwise it will mean political suicide. But clearly they are trying to ensure that Iranians don’t complicate the things as it was in the former government,’ the expert said..” [Complete Report]
Illiteracy in Saudi Arabia Drops Significantly [Apr 16]
“Illiteracy in Saudi Arabia has declined significantly from approximately 60 percent in 1980 to 13 percent in 2009, a senior official said this week. Speaking at the opening of a conference on adult education in Abha, deputy education minister for girls’ education Norah Al Fayez highlighted the importance of continuing education, Arab News daily reported. ‘Adult education is the key to sustainable development,’ she said..” [Complete Report]
Health Matrix Launches its Operation in Saudi Arabia [Apr 16]
“Health Matrix announced the commencement of its operations and activities In Saudi Arabia. As one of the recently established Healthcare IT companies in the region, Health Matrix specializes in providing Healthcare IT Solutions around the “First Point of Care” Concept. Having its direct operation in Saudi Market, Health Matrix made such strategic decision to be close from customers in Saudi Arabia and deliver its commitments to our clients and partners. According to Abdul Rahman Qasim, chief executive officer of Health Matrix Corporation, Saudi Arabia health care market is the largest market in the Middle East, and Health Matrix presence in the country will give the opportunities to our clients to benefit from the services and solutions which we are offering..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Economy on Track For Growth [Apr 16]
“Saudi Arabia’s econ-omic activity is forecast to accelerate over the next three years. Investment in the sector should remain robust with the government allocating 260 billion riyals (Dh254 billion). The real GDP growth would come from the non-oil private sector which is pegged at 4.2 per cent while inflation would stabilise around 5 per cent in the next three years. These statements put Saudi Arabia in the spotlight with investment specialists at the Outlook Saudi Arabia: Investment and Private Equity Summit 2010. The three-day event in Riyadh this week focused on investment opportunities in the kingdom..” [Complete Report]
Opec Will Act if Oil Price Hits $100 [Apr 16]
“The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) would make a decision on whether to boost output to calm oil prices if the market passed $100 a barrel, Kuwait’s oil minister said on Thursday. US crude traded around $85 a barrel yesterday, a little above the $70 to $80 range that Opec’s largest producer Saudi Arabia has said was fair for both consumers and producers. ‘Above $100 we would take a decision in this regard,’ Shaikh Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah told reporters at Kuwait’s parliament, when asked how high the producer group would allow prices to rise before acting. World crude prices are within sight of an 18-month high of just over $87 a barrel reached earlier this month. Yet there has been little sign from Opec that it might increase output to cool prices..” [Complete Report]
