JEDDAH, 19 April 2005 — The municipal elections have revived various business sectors that have been sluggish. The sectors include tent rentals, calligraphers, printing houses, electricians, restaurants and advertising companies.
“Yes there’s a revival in tent rentals,” said Majed Al-Harbi, who owns stores specializing in tents and related equipment. “It’s something that’s happening for the first time in the Kingdom, the revival of the tent rental business.”
When asked about the costs and expenses, Al-Harbi said, “It depends on the candidate’s choice: The quality and kind of chairs, the kind of lighting he wants — whether he wants chandeliers or spotlights outside the tent. It also includes whether the candidate wants a podium, the kinds of carpets or rugs, sound/audio system, air conditioners, bathrooms as well as a tent for the workers and maintenance people. Then there are water-coolers.”
Al-Harbi said, “The price begins at SR10,000 and runs up to SR40,000; this covers the overall costs of tents with all preparations for one day only.”
As for other campaign costs, the calligraphy business is also up and running. Calligrapher Ahmad said, “I’ve been working all day and our offices can’t accept anymore orders for campaign signs and banners for the insides of the tents.”
He added, “In fact we were fully booked a week before the campaigns started. The work we’ve done and are doing now is what we usually do in a month. No doubt, it’s a chance to do a lot of serious work.”
Abu Ubeida, the owner of a printing establishment said, “We’re handling the printing of pamphlets for three candidates at least. And distribution is really time-consuming, getting the material out at the requested time to the requested locations.”
Electricians are also benefiting. Ali Abdullah, an electrician, said, “My shop and the others on my street are fully booked — working around the clock to get the job done with so many candidates in each of the seven regions.” He added, “Consequently fees have gone up. We still get job offers but we can’t accept any more because there is now a shortage in workers. There’s a boost in electrical gadget sales too because of the campaign.”
A campaign manager, Badr Bureik said, “The cost of the tent of the candidate I’m working for was SR200,000 for seven days only, in addition to all the needed equipment.”
“These prices don’t include the food and meals served at these tents,” said Abu Saeed, an assistant manager for another candidate. “Usually they serve lamb, cooked in different ways, on huge round trays of rice. The price of a tray is between SR800 to SR1,200 and some candidates are serving 3-5 trays in an evening.”
“The amusing but sad thing we have noticed,” continued Abdu Saeed, “is that there are people showing up without even being registered. So they’re not prospective voters.”
One voter said, “Millions are being spent on tents and campaigns. The municipality should have limited the amount in order to avoid excessive spending. It’s become a competition and a challenge among candidates — who does more or spends more while totally forgetting about the poor and unfortunate.”
“All in all, it’s free recreation and free meals as far as I’m concerned,” commented Mohammad Zaid. “Sure presentation makes a lot of difference, but what harm does it do us to watch the candidates empty their pockets?”
