RIYADH, 14 February — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Higher Tourism Authority, signed an agreement here yesterday with Ernest & Young Co. authorizing the British consultancy firm to conduct a feasibility study to map out the national tourism development plan. The study will be completed within 18 months.
Prince Sultan said the SR36 million deal with the British company was reached as part of intensive efforts by the authority to set out a general tourism framework in consultation with public and private agencies.
Meanwhile, the authority is considering a proposal to develop aviation sports with Italian support to attract tourists, said Gen. Mario Arpino, chief of the Italian defense staff, after talks with Prince Sultan here yesterday. Fighter and civilian aircraft can be used for aerobatics for entertaining tourists, said the Italian general.
Arpino, who is visiting the Kingdom to further a Riyadh-Rome defense pact, was decorated with "King Abdul Aziz Medal, Second Class" by Prince Khaled ibn Sultan, assistant for military affairs at the Ministry of Defense.
Arpino was the commander of a Italian Tornado squadron during the Gulf War and was awarded Italian Cross for his role in the war.
The Italian general said a major book authored by Prince Khaled was currently being translated into Italian. The book, its preface written by Arpino, sheds new light on the Prince Khaled's experiences in the Gulf War. It will be released in Rome shortly in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Italy Prince Muhammad ibn Nawaf.
He said that the Kingdom and Italy had agreed to cooperate in the field of defense industries. Referring to his visit to the military factory in Al-Kharj, Arpino said the two sides also agreed to work with the Advanced Electronics Company to produce electronic devices, parts and components to be used in defense installations and equipment.
Asked about an aircraft deal with the Kingdom, Arpino said 16 AB-412 helicopters at a cost of SR562 million would be delivered from June this year. Riyadh, he said, had option to buy four additional helicopters from Italian Agusta Co., once the staggered delivery schedule is completed.
Under a cultural agreement signed early this month, the two countries have agreed to set up an Arabic language institute in Rome and an Italian language center in Riyadh.
