RIYADH, 9 July 2007 — As part of its intensified effort to protect the environment, the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on government agencies and private organizations to phase out harmful substances including chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) that deplete the ozone layer. The call was made while marking the release of a “Unified Guiding Regulation for the Control of Substances that Deplete Ozone Layer in the GCC Countries
RIYADH, 8 July 2007 — Several IT and cellular phone vendors have called on the government agencies to impose tighter restrictions to check the sale of counterfeit IT products and cellular phone accessories following the raids on two local stores here. A large number of resellers have been found to be involved in this multimillion-riyal trade of counterfeit products, said Hassan A. Abdul Waheed, a local supplier.
RIYADH – A pesticide expert has urged local supermarkets and grocery shops to withdraw from their shelves dangerous pesticides and insecticides following the tragic death of a Pakistani family of six, who died having inhaled toxic pesticides that they used in their apartment to get rid of rodents and insects. Ahmed ibn Saeed A. Al-Salman, owner of Hana Al-Meshari Company (HAMC) and Eagle Pest Management Services, called on government agencies to impose tighter restrictions on the sale of pesticides
RIYADH, 22 June 2007 — Minister of State for Trade and Industry of Singapore Lee Yi Shyan will arrive in Jeddah today to attend the inaugural session of the Saudi-Singapore Business Forum and to hold talks on a hot of bilateral and international issues. During this five-day long trip to the Kingdom, Lee will also visit prominent Saudi cities including Riyadh and Dammam.
RIYADH, 11 June 2007 — Fursan Travel & Tourism has announced a multimillion riyal expansion and refurbishment plan for all its 85 branches across the Kingdom that will incorporate the latest technology and furniture that will them a new look and ambience. Fursan will open three new branches this year including one in Jeddah and another in Qassim.
The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Europe have set out a new vision of relationship following the opening of a high profile Eurogolfe Conference here last night. “People in the Gulf should take up the challenge and play their role in globalization, while retaining their identity,” said Prince Turki ibn Mohammed Al-Kabeer, assistant undersecretary for political affairs and head of the department of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
RIYADH, 26 May 2007 — Gulf governments have been urged to step up efforts to fight pirated media and stolen pay-TV channels in the region. “We have problems in the Gulf, even in Saudi Arabia, with compounds having cable systems that do not pay us for our content,” said Greg Sweeting, Showtime’s vice president for legal and business affairs. Sweeting urged the authorities to work aggressively to safeguard intellectual property rights and combat piracy. “The enormous problem of piracy is threatening to undermine jobs, expertise and massive investments brought to the region by legitimate entertainment providers.”
RIYADH, 17 May 2007 — Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, who was named as the new governor of Makkah by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday, announced the research and academic programs of the newly established world-class Alfaisal University last night. The curriculum of the university, which its founders hope will meet the highest international academic standards, has been designed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Several thefts and burglaries have been reported this month in the Riyadh region, including three this week alone when burglars stole large amounts of cash and jewelry from the house of a local resident. Burglars robbed the home of Saqavath Ali, a Saudi Investment Bank (SAIB) employee. Speaking to Arab News, Ali said that he had filed a complaint with local police but recovery of his belongings — including gold jewelry, a computer, a gas cylinder and other household items — looks remote.
Alfaisal University and the Security Forces Hospital yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding that will mark the beginning of a research and academic collaboration between the two institutions. The MOU underlines the areas of cooperation between the two organizations, which include medical studies, research and training, that will eventually fuel the growth of the Saudi education sector.