Meanwhile, several major agreements to finance mainly infrastructure projects worth about SR2.5 billion in a staggered schedule were signed by the Kingdom during a Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council meeting. The meeting, which was organized alongside the donors’ conference, was chaired by Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation.
Participants at an international workshop on terrorism and terror funding have emphasized the need of legislation to curb the problem.
“The Kingdom is in the process of creating chairs for scientific research on terrorism in almost all universities across the country,” said Abdul Mohsen Al-Munif, a BIP counselor. Al-Munif said that Saudi Arabia has boosted its counterterrorism efforts by introducing a number of measures, including the dispersing of religious discourse on terrorism (religious edicts) through television channels, newspapers and other media, including mosques. These fatwas, he said, call on people to refrain from insane violence, acts of terror, organized crime and financing terrorist operations, which are strongly prohibited in Islam.
“Regular raids by police are aimed at detaining illegal workers and curbing crime in the capital city,” said local resident Alamgir Hussain. Eyewitnesses said that Asian expatriates, mainly from Bangladesh, Yemen, Nepal, Philippines, Pakistan, India and some African countries, were rounded up from Haiul Wazarat, Al-Salahiya and Batha districts of the city during the raids.
Ahmed Zaid Salim Zuhair, who had been in custody at the infamous American prison for the last seven years without trial for his alleged involvement in terror acts including the killing of an American in Bosnia, was extradited to the Kingdom in June last year. The 45-year-old had to be force-fed after he started a hunger strike in 2005 to protest against his captivity and conditions.
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s tourism sector got a major boost with the announcement on Sunday of a plan to issue new regulations to streamline the operation of hotels and furnished apartments. The new regulations have been issued by the Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). The body, which is empowered to cease or issue operational permits to tourist facilities and hotels, has also announced it has taken over four important archaeological sites at a cost of about SR19 million. The sites are to be restored and developed for tourism. “Payments have been made on the instructions of Prince Sultan bin Salman, SCTA’s chief,” said Ali bin Ibrahim Al-Ghabban, SCTA’s vice president.
Prince Turki was quoted by Agence France Presse as saying on Sunday that his handshake at an international security conference in Munich should not be seen as acquiescence to Israel’s stance on Palestinian autonomy. “My strong objections and condemnations of Tel Aviv’s policies and actions against the Palestinians remain unchanged,” he said.
RIYADH: A panel of distinguished speakers at the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) in Riyadh on Tuesday called for creating a conducive economic environment to sustain research across the world at a time Saudi brands are emerging on domestic and international markets. The panel also discussed how innovative capabilities can be developed, how they will impact economic growth and sustainability, and how they will shape the world in different ways during the 21st century.
RIYADH: Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is also the envoy of the Mideast Quartet, called on nations to enhance competitiveness to create better conditions for business growth across the world and to look to the East for successful business modules. During his two-day stay in Riyadh, Blair discussed bilateral and regional issues with top Saudi officials including Riyadh Gov. Prince Salman. Blair, who wrapped up his visit to the Kingdom on Monday night, also held-wide ranging talks with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah on Sunday.
RIYADH: With just 11 months remaining until the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has to meet the deadline to fulfill its revolutionary 10×10 economic vision, the organization is pushing forward in helping the Kingdom upgrade its regulatory regime to provide an optimal business environment. “Achieving a top 10 rank in terms of competitiveness will present significant challenges, but will make a lot of difference to the Kingdom,” said SAGIA chief Amr Al-Dabbagh on Monday.