JEDDAH, 22 January — Haj regulations and instructions issued by various government agencies as well as airline operations were discussed at the annual meeting of the Board of Airlines Representatives in Saudi Arabia here yesterday.
The meeting, presided over by Dr. Khaled ibn Bakr, director general of Saudi Arabian Airlines, also discussed the requirements of government agencies including the Governorate of Makkah, the Ministry of Haj, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Passport Department, the Ministry of Health, the Presidency of Civil Aviation, the King Abdul Aziz International Airport Administration, the Customs Department and the United Agents' Office. Representatives of all airlines operating in the Kingdom attended the meeting which reviewed the entire gamut of Haj operations.
Dr. Bakr and Saleh Al-Kindi, BARSA vice chairman and Gulf Air area manager, addressed the meeting.
Dr. Bakr said BARSA, during its more than 30-year existence, had developed an excellent framework for enhancing cooperation among Saudia, various international airlines operating in the Kingdom and different government agencies in achieving the common goal of serving the guests of God.
Such coordination helped different international airlines to implement the instructions of the Haj Higher Commission under the chairmanship of Interior Minister Prince Naif and the Central Haj Committee under the chairmanship of Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. Saudia was very keen to enhance the quality of services provided on board its aircraft, including demonstrative film shows about Haj rituals. The airline also issues boarding cards for pilgrims well in advance. It also serves meals of their taste to Hajis of different nationalities.
"BARSA, together with its standing committee and qualified cadres, always aims toward strengthening cooperation among all airlines. Saudia being honored by chairing this board has worked with devotion and commitment toward tightening the relations with all concerned parties for the sake of providing better services to its passengers and pilgrims," Dr. Bakr said.
Al-Kindi said the growing number of pilgrims required continued efforts to provide better services to facilitate the arrival and departure of pilgrims and resolve problems during the previous Haj season.
"Every year, three experienced employees are assigned to work at the BARSA’s coordination office located at bay No. 6 of the Haj Terminal at Jeddah airport,” Al-Kindi said. This office operates round the clock throughout the Haj season in order to establish proper interaction with government departments and other concerned agencies. The services include resolving obstacles that may arise during Haj operations in coordination with the concerned government agencies, conveying instructions to all airlines and ensuring compliance with the instructions. “The office has played a very important role in resolving many problems and obstacles during the Haj operations," Al-Kindi added.
Riyadh to host energy forum
By Muhammad Al-Bassam, Arab News Staff
RIYADH, 22 January — The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has started taking practical steps at national and international levels to establish a permanent office for the International Energy Forum, it was announced here yesterday.
Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, had expressed Riyadh's readiness to host the IEF secretariat while opening an energy conference in the Saudi capital last November.
Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi said his ministry had set up a committee under the chairmanship of Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Salman, deputy minister for petroleum affairs, to oversee the setting up of the secretariat within a year.
Addressing a ceremony held to honor the personalities and organizations which contributed to the Riyadh conference, Naimi said he hoped that Prince Abdullah himself would open the secretariat in Riyadh next year.
Naimi said the new body would contribute toward establishing a stable international petroleum market, fostering greater cooperation and coordination among oil producers and consumers.
He said Saudi Arabia, with its high potentials, would play an important role in stabilizing oil market. He highlighted the Kingdom's efforts to activate its international role, matching its status in the energy sector, by actively participating in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, the Arab Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries and other international forums.
"We'll also take initiative in holding international seminars and conferences in the Kingdom to take a leading role in selecting the topics of discussion and research papers," the minister said.
He said the energy conference was held in Riyadh as per the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Prince Abdullah "who wanted the Kingdom to have a major role in international energy dialogue."
Naimi commended efforts made by Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Salman, Prince Abdullah ibn Khaled, undersecretary at the Hail governorate, and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mohanna to make the conference a resounding success.
He also praised Suleiman Al-Herbish, Dr. Majed Al-Muneef, Dr. Ali Al-Anazi, Saad Al-Sabti, Muhammad Al-Nuwaiser, Walid Al-Suleiman, Abdullah Al-Buraithin and Abdullatif Al-Sabti for their role.
