“[W]e hope that we’ve put in place the sort of deterrence that will avoid another attack, we’ve enhanced Saudi’s air defenses and so have other countries, and we’re going to continue to enhance Saudi defenses and our defenses in the region to avoid it from happening again.”
-U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook, referencing Iran’s alleged role in an attack on Saudi Aramco’s facilities in September 14th, in an interview with CNBC’s Hadley Gamble during the Doha forum in Qatar. [CNBC.com]
“Confirmation of adding Saudi Arabia to our schedule for 2020 is an exciting prospect… and having seen the quality of the event staging [at Royal Greens in KAEC] for the Saudi International, I am sure this will be a fantastic experience for our players.”
–Alexandra Armas, Ladies European Tour CEO, in an announcement confirming that Saudi Arabia would play host to its first-ever women’s golf tournament in March. [ESPN.com]
“Public revenue is budgeted to be $222 billion, 62 percent of which is attributed to the oil revenue and 38 percent to the non-oil revenue. The budgeted expenditure for 2020 is $272 billion, out of which about 50 percent is allocated to employee compensation. At 19 percent, education has the largest allocation in terms of sectors, followed by military, with an allocation of 18 percent.”
–Global Accounting Firm KPMG, in its newly-published KSA 2020 Budget Report
“For years, Saudi Arabia has been the region’s largest economy, boasting consumers of the highest purchasing power and a young tech-savvy population; but recent developments make this an especially opportune time to move into the Saudi tech scene. If you’re looking for the emerging hub of digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the MENA region today, you’ll find it in Saudi Arabia.”
–Omar Christidis, ArabNet Founder and CEO, at the launch of the 8th edition of the Arabnet Riyadh tech-focused event.
“We don’t rule out that there might be squeeze of liquidity later on, that’s why I am ready and stand ready to intervene.”
–Ahmed al-Kholifey, Saudi Central Bank governor, on how the body is ready for any potential liquidity squeeze from Saudi Aramco’s IPO. Al-Kholifey is closely monitoring local banks after heavy demand for loans to buy the stock. [Reuters]
“When we, as Saudis, heard last Friday the news of the hideous crime inside the Pensacola naval base in Florida, we were shocked…This work can only be done by a cowardly villain. He has betrayed his country, which trusted him and spent millions on his education. Instead, he stabbed her in the back and created a major political and cultural crisis.”
–Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri, Saudi political analyst and international relations scholar, writing in Arab News.
“I never thought I’d see this in my lifetime…If I had tried to get such a gathering together back then, they would have shut it down. But now this is a forum for everyone. And I couldn’t be happier. Sometimes I get a customer who complains about the music, or mixing, but I just tell them things have changed.”
-Saudi coffee shop owner Monira Salman Quaratah, who hosted on Thursday a women’s empowerment forum that drew more than 15 local and foreign women to speak to a new foundation, Saudi Women Stories. [The Guardian]
“One of Saudi Arabia’s leading goals is attracting a new type of tourist. Ruiz is a dual national, with a large fan base in both the US and Mexico; together with Anthony Joshua’s home the UK, tourists from these three countries accounted for 4.4 percent of the total number of incoming tourists in Saudi Arabia in 2017. A world championship fight could help boost this number and attract affluent visitors who can market the country to their affluent friends on social media and when they get back home.”
–Al Arabiya’s Omar Al-Ubaydli on this weekend’s ‘Clash on the Dunes’ world heavyweight boxing title rematch in Riyadh between Britain’s Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr of the United States. [Al Arabiya]
“My father allowed me to study art because he was a big feminist…[he] wanted his daughters to be financially independent. But he wanted me to study computer science….I financed my own education, my own studio — and this is very rare, even in the Western world. The whole time I was studying art privately. I would go and take weekend or evening courses. It was my passion; it was meant to happen. It was just a matter of time.”
-Saudi Artist Manal AlDowayan, in an interview with the New York Times about her life and work that explores the changes in the Kingdom.
“After turning down opportunities to go to the Middle East for many years, I’m excited to go play and see a place in the world I’ve never been…I understand those who are upset or disappointed. You’ll be OK. I’m excited to experience this for the first time.”
–Phil Mickelson, professional golfer, on his decision to play in the upcoming Saudi International golf tournament. The tournament will run from 30th January – 2nd February at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City. [GolfDigest.com]
