<rss version="0.91">
<channel>
<title>www.bi-me.com RSS feed for &#8211; Saudi Arabia</title>
<link>http://www.bi-me.com</link>
<description>Middle Eastern Business News and Data</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Elaf Group targets to open new hotels in Saudi Arabia by 2012]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=45007</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Elaf Group of Companies has pointed out that improving packages, services and products from key industry players are complementing the boom in domestic tourism in the country. 

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<title><![CDATA[Middle East and North Africa utilities industry in a state of growth]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44995</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL.  The MENA region is already one step ahead in harnessing the power of its abundant sun. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[KPMG signs on as CFO strategies Saudi&#039;s platinum sponsor]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44980</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. KPMG has confirmed that it will support this year&#039;s CFO Strategies Saudi 2010 forum as platinum sponsor, citing the forum&#039;s strategic agenda as the reason for its confirmation.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dar Al-Arkan successfully redeems US$600 million inaugural sukuk]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44993</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Issued by DAAR International Sukuk Company, the landmark 3-year US$600 million issue marked the first Sukuk to be issued by a Saudi company in the international capital markets. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia&#039;s construction sector achieves 3.9% real growth in 2009]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44982</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Real growth in the construction sector of Saudi Arabia reached 3.9% in 2009 with real estate growing by 1.8% according to a report from the Ministry of Finance.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Fitch affirms Saudi-based Bank Aljazira at &#039;A-&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44950</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Fitch Ratings has today affirmed  Bank Aljazira&#039;s  Long-term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at &#039;A-&#039; with a stable outlook, whilst affirming the bank&#039;s Short-term IDR at &#039;F2&#039;.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[averda announces entry into Saudi market]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44938</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. averda showcasing its comprehensive range of services at stand H02. averda&#039;s latest expansion initiative will cover the Eastern, Western and Central regions of Saudi Arabia.
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<title><![CDATA[World&#039;s consumers expect economy to return to pre-crisis levels within three years]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44936</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Consumers of major Middle Eastern and Western states expect the global economy to revert to pre-crisis levels within the next three years and generally believe that conditions are not as bad as reported by media, Real Opinions, Orient Planet study reveals.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[CMCS signs major deal to build up SOFCON&#039;s project management capacity]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44922</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Annual 3.5% growth of Middle East construction sector to hike demand for engineering, procurement &amp; construction management expertise.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[SHUAA appoints Head of Asset Management]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44903</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Bargouti joins SHUAA from Samba Capital in Riyadh where he held the position of Head of Asset Management.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi stocks higher, led by Sabic and banks]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44891</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi stocks ended up nearly one per cent, led higher by heavyweights Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and Al Rajhi Bank.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dow Formulated Systems and EA Juffali &amp; Brothers signs business alliance in Polyurethane Systems ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44832</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The combining highly competitive offerings of innovative products and services for the production of polyol blends, is planned for 2010, in Saudi Arabia. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi crude output still down from 2008, says Aramco]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44819</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia&#039;s oil production is still down compared with 2008, having fallen in 2009, Saudi Aramco&#039;s chief executive said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Complinet and the Institute of Banking in Saudi Arabia announce 2nd Annual Compliance and Anti-Money Laundering Seminar]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44799</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The seminar will provide exposure to regulatory challenges &amp; objectives, recent international developments in anti money laundering, and new models &amp; challenges in corporate governance and compliance. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudis support call for minimum age in marriage]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44753</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Majority of respondents would support legislation preventing marriage of young girls.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gulf states should drop Dollar peg, says head of currency hedge fund]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44740</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The policy of pegging to the dollar makes Gulf countries vulnerable to US shocks, John Taylor, who oversees the world&#039;s largest currency hedge fund, said in a speech in Dubai today.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia to spend US$667 million on new airports]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44733</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The projects include the development, creation and expansion of 23 airports that will serve around nine million travellers annually.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Drake &amp; Scull International Kuwait wins 2 contracts totalling over US$24.52 million]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44632</link>
<description><![CDATA[KUWAIT. DSI acquired 75% of DSK in late December, 2009, in step with the company&#039;s declaration since its IPO to actively pursue acquisition negotiations in Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. 

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<title><![CDATA[House of Fraser to open stores in the Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44645</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAl. House of Fraser, the UK retailer, could soon open its first stores in the Middle East after signing a franchise agreement with Retail Arabia International.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New Saudi bourse to be energy saving model ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44636</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Major energy saving technologies will be incorporated into the design of the new headquarters of the Saudi Stock Exchange, or Tadawul.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia hosts international counterterrorism workshop]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44625</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia hosted a three-day counterterrorism workshop, which concluded on Monday, entitled the &#039;International Legal Framework for Combating Terrorism and its Financing Workshop.

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<title><![CDATA[Ernst &amp; Young appoints office managing partner in Riyadh]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44623</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Ernst &amp; Young has appointed Fahad Altoaimi as the office managing partner of its Riyadh operation. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[News Corporation acquires 9% stake in Rotana Group]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44615</link>
<description><![CDATA[Under the terms of the agreement, News Corp will acquire newly-issued shares in Rotana for US$70 million. The company has an option to increase its stake to 18.18% in the 18 months following completion. 

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<title><![CDATA[News Corp, Rotana Media close to deal, says FT report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44602</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The deal, would see News Corp take an initial stake of about 10% in Rotana Media, with an option to take this up to about 20% in time.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[DuPont invests US$700 million annually in R&amp;D to increase global food production]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44601</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. DuPont is also developing unique food industry solutions to address hygiene and food safety issues in the burgeoning Middle East food services industry.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Dar Al Arka ratings unchanged following US$450 million sukuk issue]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44581</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. S&amp;P believes the sukuk issue removes short-term refinancing risks but notes that the rating already incorporated successful refinancing of DAAR&#039;s March 2010 debt maturity.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi food &amp; beverage sector&#039;s market leadership highlighted at Gulfood 2010 ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44577</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia is reaffirming its leading status within the Gulf&#039;s food and beverage industry at Gulfood 2010.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Tabreed appointed by Saudi Aramco]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44569</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Tabreed announced that it has signed an agreement with Saudi Aramco to develop and operate a District Cooling System to cool all the buildings of Saudi Aramco in the Dhahran area. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gulf Capital Equity Partners Fund II closes heavily oversubscribed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44553</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. 30% of the new fund already invested in market leading companies within defensive sectors in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Redington Value stages road shows to leverage Saudi&#039;s US$32 billion projected ICT ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44539</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Redington Value has recently staged two highly successful partner conferences in Riyadh and Jeddah as part of its plans to leverage the booming ICT spending in Saudi is projected to hit by 2012. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Aramco, Total may issue Sukuk to help fund Jubail refinery]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44531</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Saudi Aramco and France&#039;s Total hired banks to sell Islamic bonds to help fund the construction of a US$12 billion oil refinery.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[In light of the constant growth of the beverages and foodstuff market in the region]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44519</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The validity period of Beverages and Foodstuff is adversely proportional to the speed of deterioration in their quality due to being affected by the different conditions and factors caused by the transportation and storage processes. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Zain and Ericsson sign agreement to provide 4G/LTE network in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44530</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The agreement involves the completion of stage one of the deployment of the next generation of mobile phone technology (LTE) that will cover four main cities in the Saudi Arabia.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East air pollution control market set for growth]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44505</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Saudi Arabia is the largest market in the region, accounting for 48.4% of the total regional market, while the UAE is the second largest,&#039; says Frost &amp; Sullivan Research Analyst. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi shares advance 1% led by petrochemicals]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44491</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi shares advanced as the trading week began on Saturday, led by petrochemicals, cement, and financials after oil prices rose and amid more signs of a healing US economy.

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<title><![CDATA[Outlook for Middle East gold demand uncertain]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44477</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Egypt and the UAE suffered the most severe declines in jewellery demand in Q4 2009, down 35 % and 32% respectively on the levels of Q4 2008.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Informa to launch office in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44426</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Informa Group has formed a new partnership with the National Exhibition Company in Saudi Arabia.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Internet data revenue to show strong growth]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44358</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. With the move to broadband internet in the Middle East, revenues from data services are expected to grow more strongly in coming years than from mobile voice services, according to leading industry observers.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Peak in oil demand &#039;alarms&#039; Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44372</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia must be &#039;very serious&#039; about any possible peak in oil demand, which is an &#039;alarm&#039; to diversify its economy, an Oil Ministry adviser said. The debate about the supply and demand of oil has been gradually shifting towards concerns about the demand side.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka up 50% ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44366</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The strongest growth was registered from the UAE (up by 164%), Saudi Arabia (up by 127%), Qatar (171%), Kuwait (up by 135%) and Jordan among others. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Moody&#039;s upgrades Saudi Arabia to Aa3]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44330</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Moody&#039;s Investors Service has upgraded the Saudi Arabia&#039;s foreign and local currency government ratings to Aa3 from A1 and the country ceiling for foreign currency bank deposits to Aa3 from A1. Outlook stable ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dollar good for Saudi, says central bank governor]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44322</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The dollar is serving Saudi Arabia&#039;s economy well, although its reserve currency status could be challenged as the euro is gaining in importance.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Zain and Motorola sign contract for the first LTE network deployment in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44320</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Motorola will be deploying the largest LTE network for Zain in Riyadh and will provide an end-to-end LTE solution.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Sharpen those shoppertunistic buying skills:Louis James ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44282</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. To borrow (and stretch) his metaphor from the healthcare arena, Casey Research Senior Editor Louis James sees the patient remaining in grave condition despite massive infusions and life-support systems running full throttle.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[IT expenditure in Saudi Arabia to reach US$4.81 billion by 2013]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44289</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Healthy growth prospects in hardware solutions and specialised technology services to drive increase in IT demand.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Mixed week for Middle East bourses on combination of global cues, oil and earnings]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44283</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stock markets closed the week mixed driven by a global market slump, ambiguity over world recovery, falling oil prices, weighing on some positive local earning results.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia bans Valentine&#039;s celebrations]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44264</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi religious police launched a campaign Thursday to prevent hotels and stores from making any special preparations ahead of Valentine&#039;s Day.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia launches solar water desalination programme]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44257</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia has begun building the first solar-powered water desalination plant, the first step in a three-part programme to introduce solar energy into the Kingdom.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Chevrolet and MBC Television to put on Saudi Arabia&#039;s biggest automotive event]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44207</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Chevrolet is partnering with MBC television for Actionha on 11 February at the Jeddah Raceway.  ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Al Rabie outlines 2010 strategy for sales growth and market expansion]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44179</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Al Rabie Saudi Foods has announced the implementation of a strategic marketing and budget plan that will bolster the company&#039;s sales and further expand its presence in the local, regional and international markets.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Women&#039;s participation in global computer literacy programs rises to 35% in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44129</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Government supporting enhanced ICT competency &amp; greater socioeconomic contributions of Saudi women.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi consumers association calls for Toyota recall ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44116</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia&#039;s Consumer Protection Association (CPA) on Sunday urged authorities to force Toyota&#039;s local agent Abdul Latif Jameel Co  to recall and check for defaults in cars it sold locally.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Travel &amp; tourism key factors for Saudi Arabia&#039;s sustained economic growth ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44085</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The Saudi Arabia&#039;s travel and tourism sector has helped maintain solid national economic growth amidst the protracted global financial crisis. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East fund managers remain positive despite events in Dubai]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44051</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. While the events in Dubai during November took many fund managers in the Middle East by surprise, most are still positive on the prospects for the region, says Standard &amp; Poor&#039;s Fund Services. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[BMW&#039;s Premium selection programme records 25% sales increase in 2009 ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44050</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Dubai recorded the highest volume of sales with 501 Premium Selection vehicles sold during 2009. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Competitiveness is about teamwork, loyalty and helping others, says Tony Blair]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=44047</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. According to the UK&#039;s former Prime Minister the fact that the Global Competitiveness Forum was happening showed that there was the possibility for change in the future.&#039;]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ACE receives product approvals from Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43999</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. This follows the January announcement that ACE had received regulatory consent to conduct insurance operations in Saudi Arabia. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi small businesses among most confident, HSBC study reveals]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43990</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. HSBC&#039;s &#039;Global Small Business Confidence Monitor&#039; showed that Saudi Arabia&#039;s smaller business sector was especially optimistic about, growth prospects for the Saudi Arabian economy.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[New report to highlight Saudi Arabia&#039;s confident expansion drive]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43877</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Prudent planning and massive reserves set aside during the oil price boom have ensured that Saudi Arabia can confidently push forward with its plans for economic expansion, according to Oxford Business Group.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[R+T Middle East 2010 to witness aggressive spending on industrial and automatic garage doors]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43971</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. US$2.99 billion investments in ICAD 1 in Abu Dhabi and new industrial projects worth US$ 26.6 billion in Saudi among key growth drivers.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Less than 48% of GCC employees feel their senior leadership team is effective]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43967</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. According to the latest research, an organisation&#039; senior leadership team has a significant impact on its employees&#039; overall opinions of the company and engagement levels.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia plans US$120 billion investment on energy projects]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43954</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Aramco plans to invest around US$120 billion over the next 5-6 years in developing projects in the oil and petrochemicals sectors, the company&#039;s chief executive said.

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<title><![CDATA[ICDL Saudi Arabia reveals new strategies for 2010 ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43894</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Figures show the Saudi Arabia IT market will grow to US$4.9 billion by 2013.

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia affirms support for Yemen ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43883</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia affirmed its support for the government of Yemen at the High Level Conference on Yemen in London, convened 27 January by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia pledges additional US$150 million to Afghanistan]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43875</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The funds follow an initial pledge of US$200 million made by Saudi Arabia to Afghanistan at a donors&#039; conference in Tokyo in April 2009. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[China overtakes US as largest customer, says Saudi Aramco CEO]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43853</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAl. Aramco, the world&#039;s biggest crude producer, is exporting about 1 million barrels a day to China, more than to the US, Chief Executive Officer Khalid al-Falih said.

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi&#039;s Al Rajhi Bank wins first place in &#039;Competitiveness for Responsibility&#039; awards]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43835</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Leading Islamic Bank comes out top of 80 Saudi companies for second year running in awards organised as part of global competitiveness forum.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[&#039;Peak oil is behind us,&#039; says Saudi Aramco CEO]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43852</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. There is still plenty of oil in the ground and the world should put aside fears about &quot;peak oil&quot;, the head of oil firm Saudi Aramco said on Thursday.

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia hosts a scientific forum  to identify the nature of food that has medical claims ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43844</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. During the meeting, the participants assured the importance of identifying scientific recommendations for foods that have medical claims.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Heidrick &amp; Struggles strengthens its presence in the Saudi market]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43823</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Heidrick and Struggles has added a new team member to its MENA team, a specialist in the Saudi market who will focus on talent management issues relevant to the market. 
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<title><![CDATA[HP anti-counterfeit expert to underscore fight against fake printing supplies]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43804</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. HP announced that one of its principal European anti-counterfeit experts is in Saudi Arabia to address the company&#039;s stepped-up battle against fraudulent printing supplies. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia&#039;s Tadawul partners with NASDAQ OMX on new initiative]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43796</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The NASDAQ OMX Group today announced a new initiative to recognise competitive leadership behaviours that directly impact corporate performance, as found in publicly disclosed data.  
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<title><![CDATA[2010 ranking of fastest-growing Saudi businesses indicates bright entrepreneurial future]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43791</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The second annual list of Saudi Arabia&#039;s fastest growing emerging businesses, released on Monday at an Awards Gala at SAGIA&#039;s 4th Annual Global Competitiveness Forum in Riyadh, reveals a diverse array of robust companies.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Michael Dell emphasises role of Information technology in driving sustainable competitiveness]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43760</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Dell Chairman and CEO Michael Dell today emphasised the critical role of information technology and entrepreneurial thought-leadership in helping organisations to remain competitive and achieve long-term success. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia donates US$50 million to Haiti]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43756</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The assistance was initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and will be distributed through the fund established by the United Nations for Haiti.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Oxford Business Group and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry forge links]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43719</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Oxford Business Group has consolidated two years of successful teamwork by joining up once again with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry to publish its latest report on economic activity and investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia not planning rates hike, say central bank Governor]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43707</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia&#039;s central bank Governor Muhammad al-Jasser said he&#039;s not planning to raise interest rates because inflation isn&#039;t a concern and demand for loans isnt strong enough yet.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia to pursue stimulus, expects growth of more than 4% in 2010]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43708</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA.  Finance Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf said the kingdom will continue to pump money to boost growth in 2010.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ICANN approves Arabic domain names]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43706</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The global agency overseeing Internet domain names said Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE can begin creating online addresses in their native languages.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Boeing supports Saudi&#039;s Global Competitiveness Forum ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43692</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Boeing announced it will support the Global Competitiveness Forum (GCF) for the third consecutive year by taking part as a Competitive Partner.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Skills investment is key to success of Saudi Arabia&#039;s US$692.077 million worth of projects in 2010]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43681</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Demand for workers equipped with solid project management skills has increased in Saudi Arabia following the government&#039;s announcement of a 16% increase project in 2010. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi shares slip 1.35% on global outlook ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43670</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi shares tumbled the most in more than six weeks, led by Sabic and Samba, as President Obama&#039;s plan to rein in banks sent shares tumbling across the globe. 

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi investments in Dubai Financial Market down 65%, says al-Eqtisadiya ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43669</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi transactions in Dubai fell to AED10.3 billion (US$ 2.7 billion dollars) in 2009 from AED16 billion in 2008.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Ernst &amp; Young to speak on Global Risks at Saudi&#039;s Global Competitiveness Forum]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43666</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Ernst &amp; Young will take part in the panel discussion titled Global Risks 2010, at the Global Competitiveness Forum organised by SAGIA which opened Saturday in Riyadh.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Zain in creditor talks after loan default   ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43668</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Zain Saudi Arabia said it is in talks with creditors after it did not honour some commitments last year linked to a two-year US$2.5-billion murabaha loan. 

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<title><![CDATA[Venezuela oil reserves may be twice the size of Saudi Arabia&#039;s]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43661</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Venezuela&#039;s Orinoco oil region contains about 513 billion barrels of crude that could technically be recovered, a new US government assessment  said. If proven right this could spell the end of &#039;peak oil.&#039;
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi opens decade with millions worth of new projects and investment deals in oil and gas sector]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43629</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Oil &amp; Gas 2010 has recently concluded a highly successful four-day run at the Riyadh International Exhibition Centre, facilitating SAR millions worth of new projects and business deals in Saudi Arabia.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia&#039;s first urban transport conference to take place 26-27 January ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43630</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. It is well documented that urban transport infrastructure in the Saudi Arabia is in drastic need of investment to help curb chronic congestion, poor passenger safety and almost non-existent pedestrian mobility in popular urban areas. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi&#039;s Kingdom Centre evacuated for bomb threat]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43622</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. A false bomb scare phoned into a bank office forced the evacuation Wednesday of the 99 floor Kingdom Centre, Saudi Arabia&#039;s tallest skyscraper, a security official said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Malaysian Prime Minister receives Saudi Arabia&#039;s highest award]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43582</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The event took place at the Conference Palace where Najib had an audience with the Saudi King in conjunction with his official four-day state visit to Saudi Arabia from 13-16 January.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East and Africa spearheading global recovery in ICT with US$49.8 billion spending]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43521</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The UAE leads all the Middle Eastern and African countries with an IT spending of US$4.79 billion in 2010, an increase of 12.4% on last year.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Prince Abdulaziz Bin Salman inaugurates Saudi Oil &amp; Gas as global industry players]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43508</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA.  Over 6,500 trade visitors are expected during the four-day run, as Saudi Oil &amp; Gas 2010 provides an ideal platform for key industry players to leverage Saudi&#039;s burgeoning oil production and consumption requirements within the next 10 years.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Diabetes prevention measures highlighted during International Diabetes Awareness Day in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43474</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. More than 1,000 participants who joined the World Diabetes Awareness Day celebrations recently at Prince Salman Kidney Center in Riyadh Saudi Arabia benefited from the free blood screening. 

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<title><![CDATA[Human Dimensions announces the launching of Thomas International Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43493</link>
<description><![CDATA[KUWAIT. &#039;Thomas International Middle East&#039;, which will be dedicated to providing consultation services utilising Thomas International Systems&#039; psychometric tests and job profiling assessments.
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<title><![CDATA[Quality rather than price dictating success of Saudi&#039;s non-oil industries in global markets]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43480</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Quality, not price, is emerging as Saudi Arabia&#039;s main competitive edge as it seeks to broaden the share of its non-oil exports throughout the global markets, according to a leading Saudi manufacturer. 

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi&#039;s Al-Rajhi Bank fourth quarter profit rises 3.2% ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43467</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Al-Rajhi Bank, Saudi Arabia&#039;s largest lender, posted fourth-quarter profit that missed analyst estimates.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi&#039;s National Commercial Bank fourth quarter profits dip]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43456</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA.  Earnings at National Commercial Bank (NCB), the largest Saudi bank by assets, almost doubled last year despite a slowdown in lending, but its fourth quarter profit looked to have fallen to the lowest in a year.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Prince Alwaleed holds alliance talks with Rupert Murdoch ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43455</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal met this week with News Corp. Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch to discuss investments, including Rotana Media.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[&#039;GO&#039; extends the 4G personal broadband internet]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43413</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Etihad atheeb Telecoms &#039;GO&#039; the licensed fixed line 4G operator in the Saudi announced the extension of the 4G personal broadband internet &#039;go&#039; offer in response to customer demand.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ACE granted insurance license in Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=3&amp;t=1&amp;id=43385</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. &#039;We are delighted to have been granted this license which marks the final stage in the establishment of ACE Arabia as a locally-domiciled company in Saudi Arabia, says Managing Director of ACE Arabia.]]></description>
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