JEDDAH, 11 November 2006 — Mohammed Ali V.P., managing director of Jeddah National Hospital, has commended the efforts being exerted by Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) to attract more foreign direct investment into the Kingdom and solve the problems facing foreign investors.
“For the past one year there is tremendous improvement in services. We have been provided with opportunities and incentives equal to Saudis. We don’t face any problem in getting recruitment visas. Things are now moving in the right direction,” Mohammed Ali told Arab News.
“We receive full support from SAGIA, Labor Office, Passports Department and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as they take up our applications without delay. This will encourage more foreign businessmen to invest in the Kingdom,” he said praising Saudi Arabia’s investment-friendly environment.
An Indian businessman Muhammad Ali claimed that he was the first foreign investor to win a SAGIA license for opening a hospital in the Kingdom. His JNH, which has gone high-tech introducing sophisticated medical equipment and facilities, will be shifted to a new building within two years.
“We have already bought land and got permission from the Health Ministry, SAGIA, and municipality. Construction will start soon,” he said, adding that the new hospital would have 200 beds. Spreading over an area of 5,000 square meters, the new hospital will cost SR50 million and its work will be completed by 2008. Speaking about JNH, the managing director said: “We have fully-fledged maternity and pediatric units. We also provide laparoscopic and keyhole surgeries,” he said. The hospital has 400 doctors and paramedical staff of different nationalities such as India, Pakistan, Philippines and Egypt.
“We have got license from SAGIA to open another 100-bed hospital,” Muhammad Ali said, adding that it would be established in the industrial city. He thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for allowing foreigners to invest in the Kingdom. “This will not only strengthen the Saudi economy but also create more jobs for Saudis,” he said, adding that his hospital was employing 40 Saudis.
JNH has been registered with the Central Board of Accreditation for Health Care Institutions (CBAHI) in the Makkah region, Muhammad Ali said and emphasized CBAHI’s role in ensuring quality heath care services. JNH has set up 11 committees to ensure excellent management of its different departments. Referring to the new economic cities being developed in Rabigh, Hail, Madinah and Jizan, Muhammad Ali said they would change the face of Saudi Arabia within the next 20 years. “These cities will bring about balanced development of regions, offer new business and investment opportunities and create more jobs for Saudis and expatriates,” he pointed out.
He commended King Abdullah for taking the initiative to strengthen Saudi-Indian relations. “India has become a leading economy in the world. Saudi Arabia would definitely benefit a lot by improving its ties with India,” he said. He also praised the king for introducing major political and economic reforms that would enhance the Kingdom’s international reputation.
He urged the Saudi government to open up the education sector to foreign investment in order to further promote education and training of Saudis and interaction of Saudi teachers and students with other cultures. Muhammad Ali has been working in the Kingdom for the last 30 years.
