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
GeographyLand 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 ghee
Bean 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 partnersRank Country 2012
1 U.S.A. 2083392 Japan 1922013 China Mainland 1882294 South Korea 1335855 India 120841
Major Imports partnersRank Country 2012
1 U.S.A. 787702 China Mainland 741953 Germany 413674 Japan 389895 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 20121 Machinery & Electrical Equipment 154096
2 Transportation Equipment 1035443 Base Metals 803764 Chemical Products 482095 Vegetables & Vegetable Products 31324
Country Saudi Arabia IranNational 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 AccountsMilitary 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 AccountsCorruption Index 2014 49 27 2014
Competitiveness Ranking 2014 20º 82º 2014
Fragility Index 2014 73.1 87.2 2014
NegociosDoing Business 2015 49º 130º 2015
ComercioExports 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
شكراThank You