SAUDI GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
IMF Supports Saudi Arabia’s Plans To Unwind Stimulus Measures [Aug 27]
“The International Monetary Fund on Friday said it supports Saudi Arabian officials’ plans to unwind fiscal stimulus measures as the country’s economic growth prospects strengthen. Saudi Arabia’s fiscal stimulus measures are credited with helping the country maintain non-oil growth levels throughout 2009 despite troubles in the global economy. “Prudent fiscal policy provided the fiscal space to respond forcefully to the global crisis,” the IMF said in a report. Saudi Arabia’s finance minister in January pledged to continue pumping money into the economy through 2010 to stimulate growth. Overall, the IMF said it has a positive outlook for the Saudi Arabian economy “although vulnerabilities remain, especially from the volatility of oil prices.”..” [Complete Report]
Saudi Preachers Told to Cut Friday Sermons Short [Aug 27]
“Saudi Arabia’s Islamic authorities have asked mosque preachers to cut short their sermons at open-air Friday prayers and threatened action against those who do not comply with the new rules. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs said all Muslim clerics at the kingdom’s mosques must deliver concise and meaningful sermons during Friday prayers on the grounds some of the worshippers are either old or sick while many others who perform the prayers outdoors are subject to scorching heat. “The imams [preachers] who ignore the ministry’s instructions will be forced to undergo training. If they repeat the offence, they will get a final warning and their salaries will be cut,” said Azam Al Shewair, Head of the Committee for the Assessment of Imams and Khateebs at the ministry..” [Complete Report]
UK Construction Giant Eyes Entry Into Saudi Market [Aug 27]
“British construction firm Carillion is considering a future entry into the lucrative Saudi market, although its plans are still at an initial stage. John Denning, Carillion’s director of group corporate affairs, told Arabian Business: “We are at the feasibility study stage, and we haven’t got as far thinking about a potential partner yet.” He added: “It is probably a year or two away, because you need to tread very carefully when entering any new market. But we are looking in the process of looking at Saudi, and of course one would eventually need a partner to operate in the country. Denning said that Saudi Arabia’s massive infrastructure budgets, such as the $385bn budget announced last week, had been noticed by his firm.. .. Carillion is already present in three GCC states via a series of joint ventures..” [Complete Report]
Security Sciences University to Set Up Women’s Sections [Aug 27]
“Prince Naif, second deputy premier and minister of interior, has announced that Naif Arab University for Security Sciences will soon establish special sections for women, particularly as a number of them have expressed an interest in studying there. Prince Naif was talking at the 39th session of the university’s supreme council, which he chaired in Jeddah on Wednesday. “The university intends to accept more part-time students, especially after the new headquarters are completed. It will also set up sections for women. Society needs more women in specializations in which they excel,” he said..” [Complete Report]
