Al sufayyan Qatif is witnessing the growth of the existing partnership between the public and private sectors
At the opening of a forum of investment opportunities in Qatif yesterday
Al taishan: government projects contracts represent opportunities to valuable projects
Faraj: Qatif is a provocative investment environment for new projects
His Excellency the mayor of Qatif Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al sufayyan has praised the partnership between the public and private sectors, which resulted in many projects and events with positive impact on the national economy .
This was during his opening speech at the forum of investment opportunities in Qatif province, which was held on Wednesday 24 / February / 2016 as Al sufayyan has expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, prince of Eastern Province, for his care and his commitment to the establishment of the forum of investment opportunities in Qatif, and his interest in continuing all efforts to promote the Eastern province .. Our thanks go to East Chamber on this positive initiative and this prepartion and this precised setting to the forum , and its role in providing support and assistance to those who want to invest in the province, hoping that the Forum achieves its desired goals.
Al taishan pointed during the competition, which witnessed the presence of the two members of Administrative Board of the East Chamber Hakim bin Hamad Al Amar and Najib bin Abdullah Al sihati and Secretary General of the Chamber Abdulrahman bin Abdullah Al Wabel and a large number of businessmen and media men and those interested that this forum is an actual embodiment of the case of the partnership in development between government and private sector,which was called for by the servant of the Two Holy Mosques in more than one event, this partnership - and thanks to God - has made many successes, even the private non-oil sector has become a record player in the field of the national economy, achieving positive growth in all economic activities, that forms the gross domestic product .
He added that facing the new economic trends, this mutual growth between the public and private sectors, the hopes are on such events that enriches the economic movement in the region, and push them to the forefront of regions and provinces of the Kingdom, in terms of the ideal use of the available resources.
Al sufayyan mentioned that the eastern region generally and the province of Qatif in particular are blessed with a multiple economic and natural resources, that allow us to play a leading role in the economic scene in the Kingdom , in addition to the content of natural resources and a unique geographical location on the east bank of the Arabian Gulf, it has a historical legacy extends for thousands of years, and many other agricultural real estate and investment components, as well as fisheries, which represents a fertile area and a space for hundreds of industrial investment ideas of profitability and leading operational capabilities.
Al sufayyan said: "We are today in this forum, we hope its outputs would give a clear picture of the trends of investment in Qatif and its advantages, and put our hands on serious suggestions to ensure a diversified investment movement in the province, particularly since it is characterized by a unique diversity of the economy and an attractive environment and provocative for the establishment of small and medium enterprises in various fields, which can make a distinctive leap in economic activity in the region as a whole. "
For his part, The Chairman of the Board of the East Chamber Abdulrahman bin Saleh Al Ataishan said that the country has adopted in its seventh development plan, the clear policies in order to work on the development of the economies of areas to improve their infrastructure, believing that diversifying the economic base, begins when ever the areas starts the best use of its resources, in order to ensure the sustainability of long-term development .. on the basis of that the development and investment are relational concepts, our government has sought to improve the investment environment and face the cultural challenges, initiating in the enactment of laws and the establishment of specialized administrative departments, to attract investment, both national or foreign ones in order to develop and diversify the economic capacity .
Al Ataishan said that in line with the orientations of the country the Chamber has provided many of the initiatives that have come, notably the creation of the Business Council Qatif and the establishing a new building for the Chamber and also to maintain this forum which searches the importance of investing in the province.
Al Ataishan added: "The carry forward of the economic restructuring, and continuation to pump more development projects; as the number of project contracts which have been validated during the current year in the Kingdom are about 2650 contracts, worth a total cost of 118 billion riyals, and thus the opportunity is appealing and encouraging to businessmen and businesswomen to keep up with the developmental investment, and we look forward to this investment abundance, taking place in the majority of areas and in the heart, including the province of Qatif, with a geographic location of varied economic environment, that this forum will be appealing to detect what is inside this historic province of promising investment opportunities.
In conclusion of his speech Ataishan gave sincere thanks to His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef for patronizing this forum and thanks go to His Excellency the mayor of Qatif Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al sufayyan for launching the Forum activities and corporate sponsors, speakers and meetings chairmen.
For his part, the Chairman of the East Chamber Branch of the province of Qatif Abdul Muhsen Bin Abdul Majeed Al Faraj said that investment has become essential base within the economic diversification strategy in the Kingdom, prompting interest in its development and improvement its environment in terms of decisions and actions, that the kingdom occupied in 2013, second place globally, in terms of the expectations of the lack of risk for investors.
He added that the new economic trends and requirements of the continuation of the policies of spending, took a distinctive leap in the development and diversification of the amount of projects, which led to the growth of investment opportunities for local capital in all regions and provinces, specifically in the small and medium industries sector , which is witnessing a remarkable growth exceeded 37% of its contribution to the gross domestic product for 2014.
And regarding the investment situation in the province of Qatif, Faraj said that the province was not far from the returns of spending policies, beside its provocative environment to establish the small and medium enterprises, is characterized by a unique geographical location, and the legacy of historical tradition, and a fast growth of urban and population, that may surpasses the 900 thousand over the next decade, also Qatif specially enjoys the diversity and the readiness of its economic sectors, where is the marine projects of different types and agricultural and service and real estate ,pointing that the amount of the current and expected investments, which Qatif is blessed by, is a real opportunity for local investors, there are several development projects, including, for example , the new fish market place on an area of 120 thousand square meters, to be a popular destination for fish traders from across the region and the GCC, so it represents an attractive factor and opportunities promising , as well as project development of the coast of the province, including promising investment opportunities and provide job opportunities for young Saudis.
He concluded by saying that the investment prospects, which we are looking for,we will try to detect and discuss in this forum, which is going to be held for the first time, under the constant efforts towards promoting the economies of regions and their outputs of small and medium enterprises, hoping to achieve serious investment chances out of this forum that support our national choices about the development of the national capital.
And the East Chamber has presented a memorial gift to His Highness by AL Ataishan received on behalf by His Excellency the mayor Al sufayyan, and a memorial shield to His Excellency the mayor, the sponsored been honored as well .
At the first meeting of the Forum in Investment Opportunities in Qatif:
Mghrbel calls the East Chamber and the Tourism committee to study the investment in the waterfront in Qatif
Faraj: promising investment opportunities in the tourism and industry in Qatif
Dr.. Bukhamseen: the sea and the nature and history are the most important tourism potential in the province
The Chairman of the municipality of Qatif Engineer Ziad Mghrbel, has suggested the business sector and the relevant authorities the investing in many of the infrastructure of the tourism sector projects, pointing the need for partnership between the sectors in the development of the necessary infrastructure development in line with the general plan to invest in Qatif .
Mghrbel said during the first session, titled "advantages and investment challenges in Qatif" Forum of investment opportunities inQatif province, which was inaugurated yesterday, "Wednesday," by the mayor of Qatif Khaled , that the seperation of budget of the Municipality of Qatif of the Eastern Municipality budget in 1428 has created many investment opportunities, especially that the independent budget for the municipality has contributed in focusing on the province instead of the previous mechanism instead of the consolidated budget, pointing that the main aim to introduce investment opportunities is the financial support of the municipality, stressing that investment opportunities contribute to the creation of young men and women employment opportunities in the province.
he called the private sector to improve projects activities to promote the economy level in the province , noting, that the Municipality of Qatif has presented many investment opportunities in the past , revealing that the municipality is heading to re-investment opportunities and developing them, so it is compatible with the needs of the province in the next phase.
He said the municipal is in the process of presenting many investment opportunities in the current financial year which include: the establishment of a central market in Qatif, which includes vegetables ,fish and meat shops , with an area of 150 000 and numerous numbers of stores of different sizes, as well as presenting, the Central Market Tarot island in the current year , that includes 50 shops, indicating, that the provision of the market location has been chosen, as well as the central market in Seihat area of 8000 square meters.
He said that the Qatif municipality is about to sign the establishment of Prince Sultan, the cultural center, after location preparation, pointing that the center is one of the most important investment projects in the coming period, especially since the center contains many commercial activities.
He said the percentage of completion of the first phase of Qatif Fish Market amounted to 95%, where the first phase of construction includes a lot of establishemnts such as selling umbrellas.
For his part, member of the board of East Chamber of Chairman of Commerce in the Chamber acts of the province of Qatif Abdul Muhsen Bin Abdul Majeed Al Faraj called for the development of the investment environment in Qatif, by focusing on the features and overcoming the challenges.
And reviewd the investment fields , as for the agricultural level (fishing activity)he pointed that the annual growth rate of the number of employees in the activity in the kingdom is relatively tiny compared to other activities where it scored on average during the period (2009-2011) of 0.7%, as it has recorded negative rates of the years 2012 m and 2013 m, as well as the national average employment rate has reached the total employment activity of 12.7% during the period (2008-2013)..The national employment rate in Qatif such as agriculture, fishing and breeding birds professions are only around 3% of the total national labor force by 2004..Consequently he called to raise the ratio that is allowable for Indian labor to fishing activity, because of its skills in that profession, and their ability to handle working conditions.
And he demanded the unification of the sponsors that the fishermen deal in one direcction and a single window to accomplish fishermen transactions instead of dealing with the four ministries, and set up technical training institutes to train the national labor on fishing craft to provide an adequate amount of national manpower to the success of resettlement programs and enable fishermen adhered to .. and increase the length of time allowed to sail for up to 10 days, especially after the rise in the price of diesel to prevent the losses for fishermen due to the inability to obtain adequate amounts of fish that coveres their flight costs., as well as raising the maximum allowable number of accompanying fishing, to alleviate the burden of fines financial taxes they face. Supporting the fishing activity and taking the necessary policies to keep them because the self-sufficiency of the Kingdom of fish stands at only about 37%.
Al F araj called to stress the punishments of crossing the agricultural land in the construction to maintain the agricultural area, as well as the sources of environmental pollution of agricultural land, and provide training to national employment and encourage them to join the work of the agriculture sector .. and the increase of support to farmers to support their activity to maintain the food security of the kingdom, where the self-sufficiency of the Kingdom of fruits about 54% of vegetables and 83%, while the self-sufficiency rate of 5.2% grain. And review the resettlement targeted ratios for jobs fot the farming activity under the care of Takaat program , as this activity is not attractive to national labor activities because wage levels are not in line with expectations, as there has become a rarity in the National Labour Directorate to work in this sector.The very small enterprises located in the Eastern Province of the Red scope depending on the level of resettlement by the year 2014 has accounted for 98% of the total facilities located in this scale in the region.
He stressed that the issue of interest in spending on infrastructure and the development of irrigation and drainage networks.
And Al Faraj called for the need to pay attention to tourism infrastructure areas to encourage investment and provide funding programs aimed at small and medium enterprises operating in this sector, to support the financial sustainability of those facilities and enable them to expand their business .. and review the target sector resettlement ratios, especially in the light of national labor supply trained and qualified to work in ,and providing the training programs for national labor. And an increasing the tourism affairs educational programs. He pointed that the importance of considering the possibility of creating an industrial city province of Qatif and providing investors with land, and therefore the city serve as a gathering industries center and attract investment to the province, with providing more funding programs to support the industrial sector, with the need to consider the Industrial Development Fund for the geographical distribution of granted loans , so the geographical distribution reflects the relative amount of the industrial sector of various cities in the Kingdom.
He also called for a review of resettlement target ratios for jobs with industry, taking in consideration the spatial dimension, so as to determine localization ratios according to the circumstances of each industry in each region taking considering the national supply of labor for each sector and the level of the prevailing wage, etc.
He suggeted increasing the targeted sources to spend on infrastructure such as roads, water services, electricity and other financial resources; to facilitate urbanization and enabling individuals and companies to use the land for construction ,which contributs to the alleviation of the problem of housing, and speed up the activation of the resolution, which authorized the construction of the third floor of the old neighborhoods in the province of Qatif like new neighborhoods, to facilitate vertical expansion and the alleviation of housing and the noticable rising of land prices and the rental value of the real estate crisis.
He called for reducing the targeted resettlement ratios of building and construction activities, especially in light of the refusal of national employment to work with these activities due to the harsh conditions , also making the minimum wage for the national labor puts a financial burden on the very small businesses that works in this activity, which represent 75% of the total establisment working in construction activities in the Kingdom. He called the Housing Ministry to increase the supply of land and real estate products at competitive prices, through pumping improved and ready for building lands , and in convenient uninhabitable locations ,that compete with their offers the offered land.
The head of development and improvement for Economic and Management Consultancy Center d. Ali Habib Bo Khamseen stressed on the importance of activating several civil and governmental agencies and doing the necessary procedures to activate the tourism potential of the province of Qatif for the maximum benefit from it.
He called for the activating of the role of the private and public sectors to promote this vital and important sector, and activation of corporate social responsibility and the national capital to invest in tourist activity, added to the development of tourism investment, such as activation and expansion of the easy financing to tourism projects ..noting the need to win a location on the tourist map of the Kingdom that suits status and location of the province of Qatif and its potential tourism, through the strengthening of capacity and tourism infrastructure and achieving greater developments in the tourist environment, and marketing along with tourism potential area of Qatif, spreading awareness of the importance of domestic tourism and focus on the tourism advantages of Qatif because of its many variations,
He stressed that the issue of diversification of tourism products and services of Qatif specially the private services and products with comparative advantage and that needs to develop and improve, and take advantage of the historical position and strategic location and sights of the area of Qatif.
And Bo Khamseen said that the province has several elements positioned to be one of the most important Kingdom tourist attractions, particularly the eastern region where this region needs to shed more light on them and make them known locally and abroad through data and detailed information that are accurate and reliable, especially in light of the great historic site which is owned by the province of Qatif, with its deep historical roots and the multiple historical civilizations it lived.
He added that the importance of activating the tourism investment opportunities of Qatif and activating the tourism and the exploitation of all the elements of Qatif tourism is due to the relentless pursuit of the country to create a regenerated economic resources to access with the passage of time especially as tourism is one of the most scalable and renewal resources that support the economy by opening up prospects to other economic activities, and considering what Qatif region has of the potential in tourism that makes many investment opportunities by the the tourism potential, and in this aspect is the coast of Qatif is of the most important factors and elements of attraction for the region as well as mangrove forests on the shores of Tarot and desert region in western Qatif, which contribute to the revival of sports related to sand, which is the focus of attention and the attention of young people, in addition to the region's historical dimension which represents the most important element of the attractions of Qatif in the presence of many archaeological sites, as well as the fertile agriculture in Qatif which is characterized by palm trees, fruit trees, vegetables etc, as its land is extremely fertiful and water is plentiful and that's what It gives them the possibility to take advantage of tourism projects benefit from this green dimension in the region.
And he reviewd successful experiences regarding the tourism activity, but it has remained in the range of tourist festivals and entertainment centers,which are narrow limits enhances the seasonal tourist activity compared to elements of the geographical location and the historical status of Qatif attractions being located on the Arabian Gulf, as well as the coast of the eastern region is itself a great attraction for the inhabitants of the region and the Arabian Gulf that it is characterized as an ancient coastal oasis located on the west bank of the Arabian Gulf and it is rich with oil, dates, fresh fruit and fish rich, and the strategic location of the Qatif close to the city of Dammam, Al Khobar, Ras Tanura and Jubail among the most distinctive factors of the area of Qatif especially in light of the presence of many tourism potential, and because of all these strategic characteristics of this region and the advantages that can make Qatif spotlight among other Gulf tourism areas through the creation of a distinctive leap in tourism movement in the region that contributes to increasing public vital rate of of the economic situation in region of Qatif in particular, and the Kingdom in general through the adoption of a very important concept and vital work to build a tourism development strategy for the region of Qatif harmoniously built with the overall strategy of tourism improvement in the Kingdom and considering the privacy of this region of the diversity of tourism options and the available infrastructure. He said that the tourism attractions in Qatif makes opportunities to revive investment tourism in Qatif , there are a lot of choices such as Seihat Corniche, and the Thursday market , and Corniche al-Qatif, and the port of Qatif for fishing, and there are a number of traditional marine boats, old boats, and Darren island with buildings heritage and popular houses , and there is a marina for fishing facing Darren archaeological Castle which is one of the oldest seaports in the world, and Sanabis Corniche and Corniche al-Zour, and Tarot Castle , Tarrot old town, and Oasis of Qatif
and he mentioned Sectors of available tourism investment opportunities in Qatif, the most important in the sector of investment in tourism of all kinds, such as (heritage hotels, environmental and rural hostels, rural rest houses), and investment in various tourist activities (such as theme parks of various kinds of internal and external) and investment in supporting tourism services sectors , tourism transporting , services and tourist guides, handicrafts , traditional industries, fisheries which is an aspect of tourism, marine tourism,entertainment centers and diving, and the development of tourist destinations.
He suggested the idea of creating a tourist services project that serves the marine tourism sector and consists of several projects, including the establishment of a water park entertainment, and the Centre for various water sports,
To take advantage of the multiple natural environment of Qatif . According to Dr. Bo Khamseen diverse tourism investment opportunities (such as a project for the zoo, and agricultural nurseries projects, sports sand (gliding on the sand), and competitions Youth (Auto Show), wild safari trips.At the second meeting
Al Bunyyan: Qatif is a tourist oasis served by the geographical location between major cities
Al Noah calls for the formation of a joint committee between all sectors to study the real estate opportunities and create a database to investors
General Director of Tourism and National Heritage committee in the Eastern Region Engineer Abdul Latif Al Bunyyan explained that the committee is looking for the eastern region witth all its cities and provinces as a family destination in the Gulf region.
He pointed that the tourism sector in the region is witnessing sustained growth, for example we had in 2005, about 50 hotels in which the rate of works is up to 30%, while we have at present 118 hotels at the rate of jobs up 72% except 49 hotels are under construction, Works rate is still growing year after year, and the area has about 20 tourist festivals each year, including three festivals in the province of Qatif.
He pointed that the main elements of strength in tourism in Qatif is the waterfront, geographic location between of civilareas with high development , next to cities of oil and gas industries, and the nearness to the capital Riyadh, the GCC countries, and Qatif makes a connecting point for tourists who come for the eastern region, mostly, and 98% come by road.
Al Bunyyan pointed to the 70 sites in the capital of Dammam and Qatif represent a target for the development and configuration to fit within the tourist map to the eastern region, and we are at the present time seeking partnership with members of the community and government agencies and the private sector to develop the tourism product, of these sites some of the heritage sites in Qatif , Darren and Tarot
Al Bunyyan discussed the decision of the Council of Ministers' in 1430 to evoke the owners of heritage sites and using them as a tourist the resolution included granting the building owner a license to engage in a particular business in line with the building, and giving the owner a financial loan from SCB to renovate the building..This weaves with several public statements issued by the authorities concerned to prevent harming the ancient buildings which include houses and houses owned by the citizens.
He noted the efforts of the architecture of the handicraft creativity center which trains national cadres and give them a craftsman card so that the craft sites get the focus and the development of the tourist product as a national product
In the second paper Engineer / Shaker bin Ahmed Al Noah has called to form a joint committee between all the vital sectors to study the real estate opportunities in the province of Qatif, and data formation by the base and making it available to investors.
Al Noah also called in a working paper entitled (real estate investment tourism
In the province of Qatif) to perform a complete waterfront development and the main roads network projects, also the General called the comittee of Tourism and monuments to begin developping projects of monuments sites and heritage like Tarot Castle and Darren Castle and the Thursday market , Abu Luza bathroom and others in the province, that provokes businessmen to establish joint-stock company dealing with the implementation of related aspects of tourism projects in the province.
paper of Noah has reviewed recognized tourism patterns, namely, ( entertainment tourism: which is travelling to tourist destinations for entertainment or relaxation, and cultural tourism: the goal of which places to visit cultural sites, museums and historical monuments, and religious tourism: one of the oldest forms of tourism known to mankind, and adventure tourism : like diving trips in the upper rivers and ride the waves in rough seas and fishing trips in the high seas and boat racing in the winter, and business tourism : the attendance of exhibitions, conferences and meetings, and medical tourism: a travel in order to recuperation treatment at health resorts and tourism heritage: travel to places and activities which are connected to the past and includes a history and culture.
about the current situation of tourism in the province of Qatif said Al Nouh that there are strengths and weaknesses in this aspect, and the strengths is that the province has a distinctive geographical location, and a great heritage and historic views . And a sea view extended on the Arabian Gulf, and environmental and natural diversityin harmony , excellent human capabilities and and social stability and coexistence, and richness in events and cultural and heritage festivals, and the richness of manual professions and traditional crafts.
The vulnerabilities according to Al Noah that there is a weakness in infrastructure services.
And the lack of tourist programs, and the lack of exploiting tourism frontal views and beaches
And not activating the heritage sites ,noting at the existence of a number of challenges facing the investment activity in the real estate, tourism, most notably the economic financial, social, and procedural and organizational, and logistical challenges .
Al Noah has reviewed a number of available investment opportunities, most important of all the accommodations such as hotels in different categories, furnished apartments, resorts and tourism, and rural homes.
Al Noah said that one of the investment prospects are (shopping spots) such as malls
And the traditional and popular markets , and shops for Craft Industries, as well as places of celebrations, conferences and exhibitions, and entertainment places such as toys parks and scientific and intellectual activities cities , added to them all the marine activities, stressing the need to activate the role of marine tourism and diving, boat races , and picnic boats and fishing , several beach games and sports
In this regard, Al Noah stressed the importance of caring of heritage and revive it, through the creation and development of heritage sites that are spread in the province, and taking advantage of the old buildings and houses owned by the people and turning them into economic activity: such as restaurants, museums, folks cafes, and paying attention to identity and heritage of the city . at the end, the participants were honored.
