JEDDAH, 9 February — I enjoyed myself at the recent Jeddah Economic Forum. I was especially interested in the effect Bill Clinton had on the local business community. I spoke to a number of people for their reactions.
Amr Dabbagh, chairman of the Jeddah Marketing Board and Jeddah Economic Forum, on Clinton’s suggestion that the Kingdom get involved in such alternative energy projects as solar energy: "I think it is very interesting that Saudi Arabia might be involved in alternative energy sources. Clinton said that Saudi Arabia would still maintain its leadership as the ultimate energy provider. We should examine other energy alternatives while maintaining our involvement in the oil sector. It’s a fantastic possibility and one that we should definitely examine."
Dr. Shakil Ahmed Ghulam, assistant professor of business at Jeddah’s King Abdul Aziz University, said, "I think he did a good job expressing the American view. We rarely hear this view related to our problems.
He said that the gap between our two cultures needs to be addressed by both sides." When asked about education in the Kingdom, Dr. Ghulam replied, "The government is making every effort to upgrade the present educational system. In the college of economics, we have introduced both English and computer studies so that our graduates can compete in the private sector."
As Neil Bush, brother of President Bush, said, "Even in America people are complaining about the educational system. They say it does not address their needs and that it needs reforming."
M. Amin Jamil Al-Dahlawi, chairman of Al-Dahlawi Company and chairman of Trans- Middle East Trading & Contracting offered some interesting ideas: "It was a very good speech but even he did not indicate when Saudi Arabia’s problems with the United States would be cleared up. Saudis are now hesitant to go to the United States because of the visa problems. Saudis are being stripped at customs when they enter the States and this concerns us all. Summer is coming and many people want to travel to the US with their families but they are worried about what kind of reception they will get. These problems need to be solved."
Dr. Hussain F. Sindi, professor of computer science and CEO of GlobeSoft said, "Bill Clinton’s speech gave an extra dimension to the Forum. He is an ex-president but he still carries the prestige and seriousness of the office. I felt joy; I felt someone was going the extra mile for us. I tell my fellow-Saudis we criticize America and even though we did the damage to them, they still come to us. As for solar energy, he had a good idea. We have the oil but we also have plenty of sun as well."
My own view as a resident of Jeddah is that these clean energy sources should be carefully investigated. Clean energy sources would help us with all kinds of environmental problems. Here the local desalination plant could be converted to a clean energy source and ease the suffering of many asthma sufferers in Jeddah.
