JEDDAH, 17 March 2005 — Prince Saud ibn Abdullah Thunayyan, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, has emphasized the commission’s plan to create more jobs for women in industries.
“Women make positive contributions to industries in Jubail and Yanbu and there is a move to find more jobs for them in markets, industries and support services,” the prince said.
In an interview, the chairman also said that female graduates from the College of Yanbu could play a big role in boosting industries. He emphasized the need to review bureaucratic procedures that hamper investment.
“Half the problems facing investors could be solved easily,” he pointed out. “We in Jubail and Yanbu try to offer maximum facilities to investors. We help them with feasibility studies, provide them with information which they require and facilitate procedures in government departments.”
Saudi Arabia enjoys a number of features that strengthen its competitive edge. In addition to its vast oil and gas resources, it is an enormous market with equally large purchasing power. It is also located in a strategic area and has the modern infrastructure facilities, especially for basic industries.
Asked why investors go to neighboring countries, he answered that they attracted investors with innovative ideas and extraordinary services. “We have to do the same in order to compete with them. I don’t have any doubt that we could easily solve half the problems. I am sure that the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) is serious about solving them,” he added.
The chairman favors the establishment of free trade and industrial zones in the Kingdom.
Speaking about the Jeddah Economic Forum, Prince Saud said the annual meeting would have a positive impact on tourism, exchanging expertise and boosting the economy.
“Davos is a small Swiss city. It became world famous after hosting the World Economic Forum. I hope Jeddah and other Saudi cities will achieve similar fame,” he said.
He called for exhibitions, simultaneous with the forum, designed to attract both foreign and domestic investment.
Prince Saud highlighted the competitive strength of the twin industrial cities of Jubail and Yanbu. “The two cities are provided with state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities and have the added advantage of an abundant energy supply.”
The prince said the Royal Commission was not having difficulty due to security concerns in marketing its industrial projects. “The security situation in both Jubail and Yanbu is excellent,” he stated.
He emphasized the need to promote coordination between GCC countries in order to achieve industrial integration. “This will also help each country make optimum use of its resources without having a negative impact on its neighbors,” he added.
The prince agreed that research was essential for boosting industrial progress. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation has world-class research and development centers in both Riyadh and Jubail. “We cooperate with research centers in the US and India and we have registered a large number of patents. We know that we cannot make progress without research,” he explained.
The research centers also help in carrying out feasibility studies of projects. On the prospects for establishing new industrial cities such as Jubail and Yanbu, the chairman said adequate studies must be conducted in order to make sure that ideas were feasible and practical.
