Analysis | Saudi Arabia Energy Profile Update – U.S. EIA

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

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Saudi Arabia is the largest oil consuming nation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia consumed approximately 3 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil in 2012, almost double 2000 levels, because of strong industrial growth and subsidized prices. Contributing to this growth is rising direct burn of crude oil for power generation, which reaches 1 million bbl/d during summer months, and the use of natural gas liquids (NGL) for petrochemical production. Khalid al-Falih warned that domestic liquids demand was on a pace to reach over 8 million bbl/d (oil equivalent) by 2030 if there were no improvements in energy efficiency.

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Engaging Emiratis important to bolster UAE services sector

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

 There is a strong need to engage and involve the local population into working in the services sector, according to Tiger Tyagarajan, chief executive officer and president of Genpact, a business process management services provider that opened office in Dubai, its first in the Middle East, in October 2011. The comments by the CEO of Genpact — a $1.9 billion company that opened its first Middle East office in Dubai in October 2011 — assumes importance in light of the efforts made by the UAE Federal Government to increase the participation of local population in the service industry through its Emiratisation programme.

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Drive ensures iqamas mention correct jobs

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Ministry of the Interior has ordered provincial governorates to record the actual jobs held by expats in their iqamas, according to an official at the Ministry of Labor.The order was issued to rectify violations committed by a number of expats when they work at jobs other than that mentioned on their residence permits, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Labor Abdullah Abu Ithnain said in a statement yesterday.

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GCC raps Iran for meddling in member states’ affairs

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Gulf Arab governments dismissed as “interference” an Iranian suggestion that unrest in Syria and Bahrain be discussed at nuclear talks between world powers and Iran, accusing Tehran of trying to dodge the main agenda.The secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said the bloc “categorically rejected” Iran’s proposal, saying it was further evidence of Iranian meddling in the region, the Bahraini news agency BNA reported on Thursday.

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Bahrain suspends parliament role after deadly clashes, probe announced

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

Bahrain’s King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa on Tuesday ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the incidents that led to the death of two protesters on Monday and Tuesday morning. “The special committee will look into the causes that led to the regrettable incident,” the king said in a televised address in the afternoon. “The safety of the nation and our citizens is of paramount interest, and everybody should have their rights,” he said.

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Saudi king names Prince Khalid bin Bandar as new Riyadh governor

Source: Middle East Online (Read full story)

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah on Thursday appointed Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdul Aziz as the new governor of the capital Riyadh, the official SPA news agency reported. It said the king also named one of his sons, Prince Turki, as deputy governor in place of Prince Mohammed bin Saad, who had asked to step down.

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