JEDDAH, 23 December 2002 — The Kingdom remains committed to the official deadline set for Saudizing the taxi business, Minister of Communications Naser Al-Salloum said here yesterday.
“There is a royal decree about Saudizing the taxi business and all expatriate taxi drivers will be replaced by Saudis,” the minister told a press conference after inaugurating the annual Jeddah International Motor Show. The six-month deadline for Saudizing the taxi trade was announced a couple of months ago.
Leading American, Japanese, Korean, European and Indian car makers are showcasing their latest vehicles through their importers, agents or dealers. Traffic police have put up a stand to educate the public about traffic accidents and safety consciousness.
The minister said he was pleased with the way safety aspects had been given utmost importance by car manufacturers. “Safety is something which should not be compromised at any cost,” he said, and hoped drivers would be made increasingly aware of safe driving.
Referring to new technologies being introduced in new models year after year, the minister said: “The new navigation system that has become part of many newer models across the advanced world should be introduced here. In fact, it is expected, that every new car coming into the Kingdom will be equipped with the navigation system that will help drivers a great deal in determining where they are at a given point and guide them to the destination they want to reach.”
Asked about new rail projects, the minister said a committee has already gone into the economic feasibility of establishing a rail link between Jeddah and Riyadh. This project and those that already exist like the Riyadh-Dammam link can be considered for investment by the private sector, as they are profitable ventures.
Paying tribute to Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, which has organized the six-day show, the minister said: “Both the exhibition and exhibits, especially their layout and design, are impressive. Cars on display speak of the tremendous amount of advanced technology that has gone into making them.”
At a preview of the exhibits, held before the official inauguration, latest models of Honda, Kia, Nissan, Bentley, Subaru, Suzuki and Mitsubishi were unveiled.
Toyota, Lexus, Nissan and Hyundai are among the other markers whose models are displayed at their impressive stands. Outside the exhibition building are exhibits of trucks and other types of commercial vehicles displayed by Tata of India.
In addition to the car displays and exhibition of garage equipment and car accessories, the show features an auditorium and an additional ‘hands on’ driving experience on a new course adjacent to the well-established 4x4 course. There was a big turnout of youths to a program of events planned under the umbrella of the Petromin Ultra 7 enthusiasts vs. professionals challenge. Here teams of car enthusiasts competed against teams of motor industry professionals.
The challenge will continue daily until Friday, generating excitement, starting with the Mitsubishi Pajero PitStop challenge in the auditorium. The contest then continues with the Mini Autotest and Sport Auto magazine 4x4 challenge on the circuit and Saudi Auto magazine quiz in the auditorium.
