Prepared by:

Anastasia Mavrina Yiran He

Mauro Carcasole Carlos Íñigo de Castro

Viktoria Yatskovskaya Saad AlShabib

Video Presentation

Introduction

General Information• Saudi Arabia officially known as

the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia “KSA”.

• Located at the in the Middle East as

a crossroads of Europe, Asia and

Africa. It is surrounded by the

Arabian Gulf on the East and the

Red Sea on the West. It borders

Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait to the north,

Yemen to the south, and Oman,

United Arab Emirates and Qatar to

the East.

• Population: 29.2 million inhabitants

• Government: Monarchy since

23,Sep 1932

Geography

Land area:

• With a land area of about 2.25 million square kilometers, Saudi Arabia is about one-fourth the size of the United States.

• The size of Saudi Arabia in compare to Europe is about the size of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany and United Kingdom together.

• The mountains in the west of the Kingdom are very rich in minerals with large deposits of limestone, gypsum, iron ore, gold and copper. The eastern region has the richest reservoirs of oil in the world.

Main Cites Makah Riyadh

Jeddah Khobar

Political System

• The political system abides by

Arabic and Islamic laws as a

basic legislative branch.

• The King appoints a Crown

Prince to help him with his

duties.

• There are 22 ministries that are

part of the Cabinet. Each

ministry specializes in a

different part of the

government.• The Cabinet is advised by a legislative body called the

Consultative Council (Majlis Al-Shura), The Council

proposes new laws and amends existing ones. It consists

of 150 members that must be of Saudi nationality and

highly-skilled to be able to handle their responsibilities.

Education

• The education system in Saudi Arabia is free and

mandatory for males and females until the high

school level.

• Undergraduate level is also free for citizens, in

addition the government provide the student with

monthly salary during their study at the university.

• The government allocates over 25% of the total budget to

education including vocational training, and spends

around 14 billion U.S. dollars on primary education and

research

• The government offer a scholarship program to send young Saudi nationals to

the most prestigious universities around the world for undergraduate and

postgraduate studies. The program offers funds for tuition and living expenses.

• An estimated 150,000 Saudi students received government scholarships to

study abroad.

Noneconomic Analysis

Culture Value • Saudi traditions are rooted in Islamic

teachings and Arab customs, which

Saudis learn about at an early age

from their families and in schools.

• Generosity and hospitality, is an

age-old traditions have evolved over

the millennia and are highly

regarded.

• The simplest expression of

hospitality is coffee its preparation

alone is an intricate cultural tradition,

and it is often served in small cups

along with dates and sweets.

Another gesture of hospitality is the

burning of incense (oud) to welcome

guests.

Culture Value - Clothes

• On top of it, (doubled black rope-like cord) called "Igal". Then, a full-length, loose garment with long sleeves called "Thawb“

• As for the women, there is no specific clothes since women like to follow fashion. However in public places she put over her clothes black cloak called "Abaya“ that prescribe modesty to reflect the Saudi woman’s identity.

• The types and shapes of clothes and accessories differ from one province to

another. The Saudi official clothing for men consists of (triangle cloth from linen

worn over the head) called "Shimaq"

Culture Value - The Folklore• The folklore in Saudi Arabia is

based on the theme of unity and groups. It is comprised of enthusiastic songs and games that express Arab customs and traditions.

• The national dance, “Ardha”, is an ancient tradition with its roots in the country’s central area. The Ardha used to be performed before a battle by soldiers and involves singing, dancing with swords and poetry. This dance is one of the key performances in Saudi Arabia’s most famous cultural event, the “Jenadriyah” Heritage and Cultural Festival.

Economic Value

• Taxation: in Saudi Arabia the government do not

apply income tax since it is not permitted, As in view

of Islam instructions “what you work hard to earned it,

is yours without deduction”, rather than that people

pay what is called the “Zakat” (Charity) in annual

basis 2.5% assessment of a person's net personal

wealth given for poor people, it is not obligated by the

government, it is between each person and god.

• The Saudi Riyal “SR” is one of the most stable

currencies in the world pegged to the US Dollar at a

rate of 1 USD = 3.75 SR. There was no significant

change in its exchange value during the last 3

decades.

• There are no restrictions on foreign currency

exchange and outgoing money transfers.

Gastronomic Value

Gastronomic Value

• Some types of Saudi foods became

dominant all over the provinces

despite the different social and

economic segments of the Saudi

community.

• Most of the cuisines have many

nutritional benefits and high calories

that give the body the power to work.

• Their ingredients are brought from the

materials available in the local

environment.

The arrival of a guest at one's home is

an event that leads to a special meal in

honor of the visitor.

Gastronomic Value - Dishes• Most of Saudi cuisines contain rice, wheat, meat,

vegetables and spices that give them special flavor.

The most famous dish is “Kabsa” it is prepare from

rice and meat or chicken with special spices.

• Another popular dish is “Jarish” which prepared by

cooking wheat and “Laban”(kind of sour milk) and

adding spices to it and served with chopped hot

pepper, onion and pour over with the gheeBean with bread

Chicken Kabsa Jarish Dates covered with nuts

Society Value

• Saudis take their responsibilities to their family

quite seriously.

• Families tend to be large, although nowadays

families became smaller, however the

extended family is quite close.

• Alcoholic beverages and Pork are not allowed.

• Being generous with the guest and helping the poor are the most prominent

traditions of Saudi people since they organize big feasts during occasions and

invite everyone.

• Show respect for the elders by greeting them first.

• Husbands' and wives' duties are mutual responsibilities.

They might not be identical duties, but the totality of rights

and responsibilities are balanced.

Society Value - Parents

• The Saudis Inspired the relation with their

parents, from this quote "Your Lord has

decreed that you worship none but Him and

that you be kind to parents. Whether one or

both of them attain old age in your life, say

not to them a word of contempt, nor repel

them, but address them in terms of honor.

And out of kindness, lower to them the wing

of humility and say, "My Lord! Bestow on

them Your Mercy even as they cherished

me in childhood." [Noble Quran 17:23-24]

• Parents has a great status and that derived from both Arabic and Islamic culture,

that commands kindness, respect and obedience to parents and specifically

emphasizes and gives preference to the mother as said in a famous narration

'Paradise lies at the feet of your mother'

Society Value - Marriage

• The full maintenance and support of the marriage are the entire responsibility of

the husband, even though the wife might be richer than he is. She doesn't have

to spend a penny.

• During marital life if the wife has any earnings, by way of investments of property

or as a result of work, she doesn't have to spend one penny of that income on

• At the time of marriage, it is the duty of the

husband, not the bride's family. He is

supposed to pay for a marital gift. It is

exclusively the right of the wife.

• Wife do not take her husband's name after marriage and keep the name of her father and family.

the household, it is entirely hers and the husband responsible

to cover all family expenses alone, if she decide to contribute

it is her choice but she is not obligated.

Banking System

Banking System • Saudi Arabia has a modern banking industry with 13 commercial banks. Saudi

banks provide retail and corporate banking, investment services, brokerage

facilities, and derivative transactions in addition to credit cards, ATMs and point-

of-sale transactions.

• There are also banks in the Kingdom that provide Islamic banking services.

Islamic banking is a system of banking that is consistent with the principles of

Islamic law (Shari’ah). It prohibits usury, the collection and payment of interest.

• Saudi Arabia also has a thriving stock market. The total value of shares traded

annually is some SR 60 billion [US $16 billion].

• The Tadawul All-Share Index (TASI) of the Saudi

stock market is one of the most highly capitalized

stock exchanges in the Arab world. TASI was also

one of the first exchanges globally to set up a full

electronic clearing and settlement system with

immediate transfer of ownership.

Finance System

• The banking and finance sector is overseen by several

government agencies. The Ministry of Finance

supervises economic policies. The Saudi Arabian

Monetary Association (SAMA) manages fiscal policy,

issues the country’s currency, the Saudi Riyal and

oversees the nation’s commercial banks

• The government has also established five specialized

credit institutions to provide loans to citizens for

development projects in agriculture, industry and

construction – the Saudi Industrial Development Fund

(SIDF), the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank (SAAB),

the Real Estate Development Fund, the Public

Investment Fund and the Saudi Credit Bank.

Economic Analysis

Data 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

GDP Growth 5.99% 8.43% 1.83% 7.43% 8.57% 5.81% 3.95% -

Unemployment 5.70% 5.10% 5.40% 5.40% 5.80% 5.60% 5.70% -

Inflation 4.19% 15.33% -18.93% 14.28% 17.06% 3.60% -1.90% -

Fiscal deficit 62509 164012 -17567 27349 80416 108153 65074 -

Balance of payments 93379 132322 20954 66750 158545 164764 132640 -

GDP current prices 415909 519796 429097 526811 669506 733955 748449 -

Public Debt 71140 62628 60113 44467 36149 26331 20026 -

GDP per capita current prices 16048 19714 16013 19326 24116 25945 25961

-

Trade (% GDP) 94.86% 96.10% 84.86% 82.77% 85.76% 83.74% 82.42% -

Public Debt (% GDP) 17.10% 12.05% 14.01% 8.44% 5.40% 3.59% 2.68% -

Fiscal Deficit (% GDP) 15.03% 31.55% -4.09% 5.19% 12.01% 14.74% 8.69% -

Macro analysis 1

Corruption Index

Year Position Index

2014 55º 49

2013 63º 46

2012 66º 44

2011 57º 44

2010 50º 47

2009 63º 43

2008 80º 30

2007 79º 34

Competitiveness index

Year Position Index

2014 20º 5.1

2013 18º 5.19

2012 17º 5.17

2011 21º 4.95

2010 28º 4.75

2009 27º 4.72

2008 35º 4.55

Macro analysis 2

Major Imports & Exports Partners

Major Exports partners

Rank Country 2012

1 U.S.A. 208339

2 Japan 192201

3 China Mainland 188229

4 South Korea 133585

5 India 120841

Major Imports partners

Rank Country 2012

1 U.S.A. 78770

2 China Mainland 74195

3 Germany 41367

4 Japan 38989

5 South Korea 35467

Major Exports items

Section Title 2012

1 Mineral Products 1266389

2 Chemical Products 68342

3 Plastics & Rubber 58492

4 Transportation Equipment 13884

5 Machinery & Electrical Equipment 10743

Major Imports & Exports Items

Major Imports items

Section Title 2012

1 Machinery & Electrical Equipment 154096

2 Transportation Equipment 103544

3 Base Metals 80376

4 Chemical Products 48209

5 Vegetables & Vegetable Products 31324

Country Saudi Arabia Iran

National Accounts

GDP 2013 748.450 M.$ 368.904 M.$ 2013

GDP per Capita 2013 25.962$ 4.763$ 2013

Debt 2013 20.026 M.$ 41.300 M.$ 2013

Debt (% GDP) 2013 2.68% 11.25% 2013

Debt (per capita) 2013 695$ 536$ 2013

Deficit 2013 65.074 M.$ -3.567 M.$ 2013

Deficit (% GDP) 2013 8.70% -0.97% 2013

Public Expenditure 2013 282,593.30 57,128.70 2013

Education Expenditure 2008 26,691.30 9,785.80 2012

Education Expenditure (%) 2008 17.74% 16.08% 2012

Healthcare Expenditure 2012 15,480.50 10,769.70 2012

Economic Comparison 1

Country Saudi Arabia Iran

National Accounts

Military Expenditure 2013 67,277.00 8,409.10 2012

Military Expenditure (% Public Expenditure)

2013 23.81% 13.82% 2012

Public Expenditure (% GDP) 2013 37.76% 15.56% 2013

Public Expenditure Per Capita 2013 9.802$ 738$ 2013

Education Expenditure Per Capita 2008 1.012$ 128$ 2012

Healthcare Expenditure Per Capita 2012 547$ 141$ 2012

Military Expenditure Per Capita 2013 2.334$ 110$ 2012

Rating Moody's 2010 Aa3 - -

Rating S&P 2007 AA- - -

Rating Fitch 2014 AA B+ 2006

Economic Comparison 2

Country Saudi Arabia Iran

National Accounts

Corruption Index 2014 49 27 2014

Competitiveness Ranking 2014 20º 82º 2014

Fragility Index 2014 73.1 87.2 2014

Negocios

Doing Business 2015 49º 130º 2015

Comercio

Exports 2013 376.000,0 M.$ 82.000,0 M.$ 2013

Exports % GDP 2013 50.45% 26.14% 2012

Imports 2013 163.892,0 M.$ 49.000,0 M.$ 2013

Imports % GDP 2013 21.99% 14.35% 2012

Commercial Balance 2013 212.108,0 M.$ 33.000,0 M.$ 2013

Commercial Balance (% GDP) 2013 28.46% 11.79% 2012

Economic Comparison 3

Country Saudi Arabia Iran

Socio-Demographic

Population 2013 28,828,870 77,447,168 2013

Population Density2013 13 44 2013

Ranking Global Peace 2014 80º 131º 2014

Birth Rate 2012 19,86‰ 19,00‰ 2012

Fertility Index 2012 2.7 1.92 2012

Mortality Rate 2012 3,25‰ 5,22‰ 2012

Lifespan 2012 75.5 73.76 2012

Nº of homicides 2012 234 3,126 2012

Homicides per 100.000 2012 0.8 4.1 2012

Economic Comparison 4

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