USEFUL BUSINESS INFORMATION ON SAUDI ARABIA

1. Country Brief:

A. Introduction - The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is of crucial importance for several reasons. First and foremost, it was the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is the location of Islam's two holiest cities, Makkah and Madinah.

Secondly, Saudi Arabia is a major player on the political scene. All its policies are based on the search for justice and stability and it has used its good offices on many occasions, at both regional and international level, to resolve some of the world's most intractable problems.

B. Climate - Saudi Arabia has a typical desert climate of blistering hot days and cool nights, and is one of the driest countries in the world. Summers can be extremely hot with temperatures rising to 130ºF (55ºC) in some areas. The higher inland areas are cooler. Coastal cities are humid and hot year round. Sandstorms blow anywhere in the country some lasting for days.

C. Geographical Area - 756,981 sq mi (1,960,582 sq km)

D. Language - Arabic

E. Currency With Exchange Rate - Saudi Arabia Riyals (SAR)

1.00 SAR = 0.266635 USD

F. Population - 27,019,731

G. Major Cities – Jeddah, Makkah (Mecca),

2. Transportation:

A. Railway - total: 1,392 km (2002)

B. Road - total: 151,470 km; paved: 45,592 km; unpaved: 105,878 km (1999).

C. Airports - 209 (2002).

D. Waterways -                   

E. Sea ports - Ad Dammam, Al Jubayl, Duba, Jiddah, Jizan, Rabigh, Ra's al Khafji, Mishab, Ras Tanura, Yanbu' al Bahr, Madinat Yanbu' al Sinaiyah.

3. Economy:

A. Major Manufacturing - 

B. Major Export - $165 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): petroleum and petroleum products 90%.

C. Major Import - $44.93 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.): machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles.

E. Major Industry - crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction.

F. Trade balance -

4. Trade Associations, Chamber of Commerce, Trade shows and Exhibitions in Saudi Arabia:

Major Trade Associations

Chambers of Commerce

Abha Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 72 ABHA

Saudi Arabia
Tel: (7)227-1818
Fax: (7)227-1919

Albaha Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 311 Albaha,
Saudi Arabia
Tel: (7)725-4116
Fax: (7)725-0042

Al-Jawf Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 585 Sakaka, Al Jawf
Saudi Arabia
Tel: (4)624-9488/624-9060
Fax: (4)624-0108

Jizan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 201, Jizan
Saudi Arabia
Tel: (7)317-1519

Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Al Ghazzah St.
P.O.Box 1086 Makkah
Saudi Arabia
Tel: (2)574-4020/574-5773
Fax: (2)574-1200

AlAhsa Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 1519 Al-Ahsa 31932
Saudi Arabia
Tel: (3)582-0458
Fax: (3)587-5274

Major Trade Shows

A) Saudi International Motor Show (SIMS 2007)
Start Date: 25-NOV-2007

End Date: 30-NOV-2007
Venue: Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Organizer:

Al Harithy Company for Exhibitions Limited
The Glassmill, 1 Battersea Bridge Road,
London, United Kingdom.
Tel: +(44)-(20)-72233431
Fax: +(44)-(20)-72284229

B) Saudi Autoshop
Start Date: 09-DEC-2007

End Date: 13-DEC-07
Venue: Fiera Milano, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Organizer:

Riyadh Exhibitions Co. Limited

P.O.Box, 56010,

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Tel: +(966)-(1)-4541448

Fax: +(966)-(1)-4544846

5. Useful links:

Saudi Arabian Importers, Dealers of Japanese Used Cars, Construction Machinery & Auto Parts