RIYADH: Sunday’s meetings between the visiting Japanese ministers and Saudi officials in Riyadh have given a fresh boost to their bilateral relations.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman received at Al-Yamamah Palace Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Seko and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Kentaro Sonora and their accompanying delegation.
During the meeting, the relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan as well as the prospects for bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields were reviewed. The audience was attended by a number of Saudi ministers and the ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom, Norihiro Okuda.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, also reviewed with the visiting ministers the areas of partnership to realize Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The two parties discussed the role of Japanese companies and government in activating the achievement of the Vision, including the development of joint programs between the two countries since the start of the Joint Saudi-Japanese Group for Vision 2030. The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Planning Adel Fakeih.
At the meetings between the ministers, Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed to advance bilateral cooperation in fields such as network-connected devices and renewable energy.
In the first meeting held in the Saudi capital to support the Kingdom’s structural reform drive and help Japanese companies to make inroads, Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko said the occasion marks the beginning of bilateral cooperation in a concrete form.
"If combined with the Abenomics economy policy mix being pursued by the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Saudi Arabia’s reform efforts would create a “synergy” that yields great benefits,” Seko said at the outset of the meeting.
The ministerial-level meeting was attended by Adel Fakeih, minister of economy and planning, among other officials.
At the meeting, the two sides also agreed on Japanese support in such areas as talent development in animation and video games, energy conservation and nuclear power, martial arts seminars and athletic training, Japanese officials said.
Executives of about 30 Japanese companies accompanying Seko also met with Saudi officials and pitched their business plans.
The meeting was the result of an agreement reached between Abe and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Tokyo last month.
During the meeting between businessmen of the two countries held at the headquarters of the Council of Saudi Chambers on Sunday, Japan and Saudi Arabia agreed to advance bilateral trade cooperation between the two private sectors.
Speaking on behalf of the Saudi team at the headquarters of the Council of Saudi Chambers, Tariq Al-Qahtani told the Japanese officials that there is the second largest trade partner to the Kingdom enjoying a bilateral trade of $57 billion in 2013. He said the recent visit of the deputy crown prince to Japan and an earlier visit of King Salman when he was crown prince, had boosted trade between the two countries.
Al-Qahtani recalled that during these visits, a number agreements were signed and they are now being successfully implemented to derive mutual benefits. The results of these agreements will affect technology transfer and boost small and medium enterprises in the Kingdom.
The executive president of JETRO said that Japan’s largest volume of oil comes from the Kingdom and Japan in turn exports a variety of products including automobiles and machinery to Saudi Arabia.
Describing trade between two countries as significant, he said Japan is interested in taking part actively in the implementation of the 2030 program.
Leading Japanese bank Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. and state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Co. (Saudi Aramco) recently signed a major agreement for business cooperation with the aim to support Japanese companies investing in the Kingdom. The move will go a long way in expanding ties between the two countries, especially in the energy sector.
With the memorandum of understanding, Mizuho, the sole Japanese bank to have an office in Saudi Arabia, is expected to work more closely with the Kingdom and provide enhanced support to Aramco, which works to transform its business portfolio, the Tokyo-based financial group said in a press statement, while referring to the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Tokyo.
The statement said that “Mizuho will use Aramco’s knowhow and network to introduce Japanese companies, in particular SMEs and middle-marketers which have unique technological advantages, to Aramco and other Saudi companies as their business partners.”
Fresh boost to Saudi-Japanese ties
Fresh boost to Saudi-Japanese ties
Brazil conference discusses Islamic education, identity
- Forum highlights Saudi commitment to Shariah education, support for Muslim minorities
RIYADH: The 37th International Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Muslims is being held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, under the theme “Shariah education in Latin American and Caribbean countries, and its impact on preserving identity,” from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
Organized by the Islamic Dawah Center in Brazil in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the three-day event brings together ministers, scholars, researchers and specialists from Arab, Islamic, Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The conference promotes Islamic education among Muslim minorities, the religion’s role in preserving identity and social cohesion, and addressing challenges facing Muslim minority communities.
Saudi Arabia’s presence reflects its commitment to supporting Islam and Muslims, promoting moderation and balance, and strengthening the connection of Muslim minority communities to Islamic values that foster harmony, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
Awwad Al-Anzi, undersecretary for Islamic affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, represented the Kingdom and delivered the opening speech on behalf of Minister Abdullatif Al-Asheikh.
He said that education is the “foundation of virtuous deeds,” guiding correct beliefs and practices, and highlighted the role of Shariah education in clarifying concepts and combating ignorance.
Al-Anzi praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to education, noting its mandatory education policy and substantial investment in the sector, which has positively impacted society.
He also highlighted the Kingdom’s focus on applied sciences and scholarships, enabling it to produce distinguished graduates across various fields.
Additionally, he underscored Saudi Arabia’s global contributions to education, including building schools and universities, offering scholarships to Muslim students and fostering scientific partnerships.
Al-Anzi reviewed the Ministry of Islamic Affairs’ efforts in spreading Shariah education worldwide through its cultural and Islamic centers.
Ahmed Ali Al-Saifi, head of the Islamic Dawah Center, expressed gratitude to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their steadfast support of Muslims in Latin America and the Caribbean, particularly in bolstering religious and educational institutions.
He highlighted the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs for its diligent oversight of mosques and religious institutions in the region.
Al-Saifi saids that the forum aims to address challenges in teaching Arabic and Shariah sciences, and establish Shariah and Arabic language departments in major universities to meet the growing demand for Shariah education.
He expressed hope that the conference would produce scientific recommendations and scholarly works that support its mission.
Federal Deputy Vicentinho Paulo da Silva delivered a speech on behalf of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, highlighting the respectful relationship between the government and Brazil’s Muslim community, and acknowledging their vital role in the country’s development.
He noted the strong ties between Brazil and Saudi Arabia, built on solidarity, sovereignty and mutual respect, highlighting Brazil’s high regard for Arabs, particularly through its relationship with Saudi Arabia.
Delegation leaders praised Saudi Arabia, represented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, for sponsoring the event and enriching it with contributions from ministry experts and Saudi university professors.
Hassan Musa, deputy chairman of the Swedish Fatwa Council, expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for their efforts in serving Islam and Muslims, and promoting moderation worldwide.
Riyadh launches Middle East’s largest urban rail network
- $22bn, energy-efficient Metro system will be a world leader, official says
RIYADH: The first three lines of the Riyadh Metro will begin operating on Sunday, forming part of the largest urban rail network in the Middle East.
Riyadh Metro, which is a key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030, is a crucial step toward reducing traffic congestion in the capital, and improving quality of life for the city’s residents.
The first phase of the Riyadh Metro starts with three lines: the Blue line, connecting Olaya Street to Al Batʼha; the Yellow line, running along King Khalid International Airport Road; and the Purple line, covering Abdul Rahman bin Awf Road and Al-Shaikh Hassan Bin Hussain Street.
The Red line, covering King Abdullah Road, and the Green line, spanning King Abdulaziz Road, are both scheduled to begin operating on Dec. 15, while the Orange line, which covers Madinah Road, starts on Jan. 5, 2025.
The Riyadh Metro was launched 12 years after the project was announced in April 2012, when the Saudi Cabinet approved the implementation of the public transport project and formed a high-level committee to oversee it. Despite the challenges faced by the project, including the global pandemic, it was ultimately completed.
Contracts for the Riyadh Metro project were awarded in 2013 to three global consortiums, with a total value of about $22.5 billion (SR84.4 billion).
The project features several sustainable characteristics that promote eco-friendly transportation options. The metro system will employ energy-efficient trains and stations, as well as technologies such as regenerative braking to reduce energy consumption.
Additionally, some stations will be equipped with thousands of solar panels, and each metro station will rely on electricity sourced from renewable energy.
Maher Sheira, supervisor of digital infrastructure for the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Project in Riyadh, told Arab News: “Our target is to reduce traffic within the city by up to 30 percent. This goal is supported by the metro’s capacity to transport up to 3.6 million passengers daily, which is a challenging target, especially when compared to other cities that have struggled to transition car users to public transportation.”
Achieving this goal depends on several factors, including the city’s infrastructure, integration of various transport modes, and the overall complementarity of these services, he said.
“This project is one of the key initiatives that could help make these goals a reality.”
Sheira said that the launch of the metro and improvement of public transportation will not only alleviate traffic congestion, but also also play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions.
“We all know that shifting from daily car use to public transportation can have a significant environmental impact,” he said.
“In a small study we conducted, we found that if 100,000 passengers switch from cars to public transport, it could save over 3 million trees annually. This number has the potential to grow even further.”
He said both the metro and the bus systems are integral parts of the King Abdulaziz Public Transport Program.
These systems are seamlessly integrated, ensuring a smooth and reliable experience for passengers. Once a passenger exits a metro station and boards a bus, they will use the same ticket and enjoy the same high level of service.
“To ensure quality, the design of both networks was focused on delivering first-class standards, with an emphasis on maintaining top-tier service throughout the entire journey,” Sheira added.
“The quality of service is evident throughout the system. You can see it at the stations, on the trains, and certainly on the buses and at the bus stops. We are committed to maintaining this high standard of quality and will continue to do so.”
Numerous factors have been taken into account to ensure the success and efficiency of the vast network.
“Our goal is to keep Riyadh at the forefront of global cities in terms of public transportation. This is our objective, and with determination, we are confident that we will achieve it, Inshallah,” he said.
------------------
Inspiring story
The inspiring story of the Riyadh Metro began in 2009, led by a visionary king with determination and ambition for the future; the story’s hero is King Salman.
The document was submitted by King Salman to develop the public transportation system in Riyadh:
My Lord, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz — May Allah preserve you.
I am honored to inform Your Royal Highness that the city of Riyadh, which is witnessing significant population growth, urban expansion, and substantial economic prosperity, has started to experience severe traffic congestion on its main streets due to the ongoing rise in traffic.
Accordingly, the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh has developed a comprehensive and long-term plan to enhance the city’s public transportation system.
First: Establishing the backbone of the public transportation system through manufacturing an electric train.
Second: Implementing a bus network that covers all areas of Riyadh, with its services integrated with the electric train system. The network covers 708 kilometers and is also integrated with the local network within residential neighborhoods.
The High Commission has fully prepared the engineering designs, technical specifications, and tender documents for this phase, paving the way for its implementation.
Therefore, I kindly request Your Highness’s approval of this matter. May Allah preserve you, guide your steps, and grant you success. Peace and blessings be upon you.
Chairman of the High Commission for the Development of Riyadh
Salman bin Abdulaziz
20/10/2009
A tapestry of cultures: Indonesian batik meets Saudi heritage
- Centuries-old art form of batik deeply rooted in Indonesian culture
- Included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage
RIYADH: Reporting on the Saudi International Handicrafts Week Exhibition (Banan) on Saturday, the Saudi Press Agency highlighted the Indonesian pavilion, which showcased the exquisite art of batik.
Indonesian artisans had creatively blended traditional batik techniques with motifs inspired by different regions of the Kingdom, “creating stunning pieces that seamlessly intertwine the two cultures,” according to the SPA.
The centuries-old art form of batik is deeply rooted in Indonesian culture, and is included on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It involves a meticulous process known as wax resist-dyeing to create its intricate patterns. The designs often have cultural and religious significance, reflecting the deep connection between Indonesians and their environment.
The convergence of Indonesian and Saudi artistic traditions at Banan, which ended on Friday, “exemplifies the power of art to transcend cultural boundaries,” the SPA stated.
Dalia Alyahya, head of the handcrafts sector at the Heritage Commission, which organized the event, highlighted the significance of such cultural exchanges.
“Through art, we can bridge cultural divides and foster global harmony. Batik, with its rich history and enduring appeal, continues to inspire and connect people across the world,” Alyahya told the SPA.
Artists and representatives from more than 20 countries exhibited at the event alongside the Kingdom’s own talent.
Through Banan and other initiatives, the Heritage Commission “raises awareness about the importance of handicrafts as part of cultural heritage, ensuring they are preserved and passed on,” the SPA wrote.
Authorities bust drug smugglers across Saudi Arabia
- Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region for selling amphetamine and methamphetamine
RIYADH: Saudi authorities recently made several drug-related arrests and confiscations across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
In Asir’s Al-Raboah sector, Border Guard patrols intercepted 240 kg of qat.
Security patrols in Jazan arrested a citizen with qat hidden in his vehicle in Al-Aridah governorate.
The General Directorate of Narcotics Control arrested a citizen in the Northern Borders’ Tarif governorate with amphetamine.
The directorate also arrested a Pakistani resident in Tabuk for selling methamphetamine, a narcotic substance commonly referred to as “shabu.”
Two citizens were arrested in the Hail region for selling amphetamine and methamphetamine.
Two citizens were arrested in Asir for selling regulated tablets.
Preliminary legal procedures have been completed, and all seized items have been handed to the relevant authorities.
Security authorities reiterated their call for the public to report any information about drug smuggling or selling by calling 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, or 999 in other regions of the Kingdom.
Individuals can also contact the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995 or via email at [email protected].
All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.
Saudi Arabia arrests 19,024 illegals in one week
- The report showed that among the 1,212 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 73 percent were Ethiopian, 25 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities
RIYADH: Saudi authorities arrested 19,024 people in one week for breaching residency, work and border security regulations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.
According to an official report, a total of 11,268 people were arrested for violations of residency laws, while 4,773 were held over illegal border crossing attempts, and a further 2,983 for labor-related issues.
The report showed that among the 1,212 people arrested for trying to enter the Kingdom illegally, 73 percent were Ethiopian, 25 percent Yemeni, and 2 percent were of other nationalities.
A further 122 people were caught trying to cross into neighboring countries, and 22 were held for involvement in transporting and harboring violators.
The Ministry of Interior said that anyone found to be facilitating illegal entry to the Kingdom, including providing transportation and shelter, could face imprisonment for a maximum of 15 years, a fine of up to SR1 million ($260,000), as well as confiscation of vehicles and property.
Suspected violations can be reported on the toll-free number 911 in the Makkah and Riyadh regions, and 999 or 996 in other regions of the Kingdom.
