RiyadhCiti.com » Expat

Saudi mulls plan to curb $7.1bn in expat remittances

admin — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:39:21 +0000

Saudi Arabia’s suggestion last month that it will try to limit how much money expatriate workers send home showed concern about the cost of having foreigners make up nearly a third of the population.

An estimated nine million foreign workers and their dependents remitted SR26.8bn ($7.1bn) out of the country in the second quarter of this year, central bank data shows. That amount was equivalent to 17 percent of Saudi Arabia’s current account surplus at a time of historically high oil revenues.

With the stability of the global financial system threatened by the euro zone debt crisis, and Saudi Arabia keen to use more of its monetary resources domestically under a $130bn government spending plan announced this year, the outflow of funds may be starting to look uncomfortably large.

Saudi Arabia, which wants to develop its economy to reduce its reliance on oil revenue, also appears to be waking up to the opportunity cost of having so much economic output produced by foreigners, most of whose money is not spent or invested within the kingdom.

“The balance of payment considerations are obviously a risk, and they are a structural risk in that if oil prices come down, they would become a challenge,” said Jarmo Kotilaine, chief economist of National Commercial Bank in Jeddah.

“But the Saudi economy has gone through a number of rough patches over the decades without compromising the basic stability of the monetary situation.”

He added, “It’s not an unmanageable problem, but the issue is the opportunity cost of the remittances. Many residents live here for the pure purpose of making as much money as they can and sending as much of it back home to their families as they can. That money isn’t being used to stimulate domestic economic activity.”

Expatriates account for nine out of 10 private-sector jobs in Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter. They fill roles that range from domestic service and factory work to management positions in large finance companies.

The value of their remittances has almost doubled in the past five years from an officially recorded SR15.3bn in the second quarter of 2006. Three economists said the true figures for money outflows were probably much higher because they did not include informal transfers.

“In practice, when oil prices are high remittances go up, and when oil prices fall, remittances go down automatically because employment falls and new recruitment falls,” said Khan Zahid, chief economist of Riyad Capital.

Labour Minister Adel al-Fakieh said in an Oct 22 television interview that the Labour Ministry was “preparing a monitoring programme aimed at reducing the huge quantity of transfers of foreign workers”.

He did not elaborate, and economists said it would be difficult to develop practical measures to limit remittances, partly because money can be taken out of the kingdom in many different ways.

Most of the money is thought to be remitted by lower-paid workers, most from South and Southeast Asia, who frequently carry cash with them on trips home rather than making formal bank transfers….Next

A Guide to Saudi Arabia: health care

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:24:51 +0000

Saudi Arabia’s health system compares well with the West, but there is still room for improvement.

In Saudi Arabia a Westerner emerging from an anaesthetic haze after surgery might for a moment imagine he is back in his home state. The kingdom’s top hospitals are staffed largely by expatriates, use high-quality, imported surgical and diagnostic gear and follow the protocol used in leading American hospitals.

The country has made considerable efforts to make such facilities available to its indigenous population and its six million expatriates. Even so, there is room for improvement.

The country with a quarter of the world’s known petroleum reserves could have better life expectancy than 75.4 years. (Men 73.4, women 77.5).

Infant mortality at 13 deaths per 1,000 live births may be better than most Middle East states, but the figure remains more than twice the average for Western Europe.

Health care for all

An adequate network of about 2,000 primary health care centres has been set up across the country. This followed a royal decree in 2002 calling for improved, fair provision of care for all. Hospitals generally perform to standards in Europe or the United States.

In addition, more than 200 hospitals have adopted a referral system which integrates with the primary care network and specialist curative services, covering all members of society.

The extensive King Fahad Medical City in Riyadh is the main tertiary referral centre for the country’s 27 million citizens. It specialises in diabetes management and neurosciences, and has an advanced haematology and cancer centre. There is also a rehabilitation centre and specialist hospitals for women and children.

Another service, also in the capital, is the King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital. It is the major unit for eye trouble but also runs outreach, educational and research programmes.

To fund these services, the kingdom has invested more in health than most states in the region. Spending as a proportion of the total national budget has more than doubled since the 1970s. Saudi Arabia now has two practising doctors per 1,000 people (The UK has 2.5/1,000).

Compulsory insurance

In 2005, the kingdom recognised that free health care for foreign nationals was unsustainable, and introduced compulsory medical insurance. The move was later adopted in other parts of the Gulf and widely in Europe.

With one in five people an expatriate, and most of those associated with the oil industry, locals complained that foreigners were swamping the system. Large companies were obliged to buy health cover for their employees. These regulations were strengthened in 2008.

The move to compulsory cover was well advertised in advance. So it was hardly surprising that insurance companies should find themselves in a hot market as they struggled to establish. For the international community, this competition was good news.

Some insurers complained that competitors were offering premiums for group business so low they could only sustain a loss. But “buying business” or market share is sometimes done in the hope of keeping the client, hiking annual premiums and finally turning an honest buck. But the market was so fierce, some insurers were forced to pull out.

While individually bought health insurance rates are widely advertised, no such openness applied to corporate business. Transparency was (and remains) non-existent as insurers cut deals in a series of beauty contests before employers.

Big corporates can always use their leverage to win exceptional deals, especially if they take some of the paperwork in-house, cutting overheads for the insurer.

The lesson for individuals

Thus, anyone working for a company, even temporarily, should make sure cover is arranged and paid for by their employer.

Providers

Among the main insurers are Bupa Saudi Arabia, co-operative insurerTawuniya and MedGulf Arabia, another mutual.

Bupa Saudi Arabia – which handles business across the region – insures more than a million people. Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director of Bupa International, of which the Saudi operation is an offshoot, said: “Along with the increase (in sales following compulsory cover) we’ve seen a huge increase in our local capabilities and the way we deal with and interact with local (health care) providers.”

However, Dr Khemka contends that the cut-throat market that prevailed among insurers in 2005 – when such a huge market was opened by the element of compulsion – remains good for individual buyers.

“They are still getting very cost-effective prices in the region and there’s great provision in the metropolitan centres of Riyadh and Jeddah – but the huge increase has come in the corporate market,” he said.

Emergency evacuation

Despite plenty of high-quality local medical care, Dr Khemka says most clients still opt for emergency evacuation cover.

“A lot of people buy it for peace of mind and as a solution to getting their employees out of the country in case of political instability,” he said.

However, while emergency medical evacuation is available under Bupa International plans, political evacuation cover depends on the corporate policyholder buying an additional benefit. This allows the security company, International SOS and Control Risks, to extract expatriates in the event of civil unrest – as happened with several hundred policyholders in Libya in February 2011 and other “Arab Spring” states.

London pull

Naturally, the Saudi Arabian population – expat or indigenous – turns first to local health facilities although the United Arab Emirates is a popular destination for health care.

But for half a century, leading private hospitals in London have been treating patients from the Gulf. Sometimes the pull of London has to do with matters other than medical.

Dr Khemka said: “A lot of them are coming to the UK. We have the Cromwell hospital where 47 per cent of our customers are of Middle East origin. If you are diagnosed with cancer or one of the more serious long-term conditions, people often seek help away from Saudi Arabia.”

He maintains there is first-rate care for basic, primary, secondary and tertiary needs in Saudi Arabia. “But when it comes to super-specialist care or wanting to access centres of excellence, we find the customer often wants to go outside Saudi, initially to Western Europe, particularly London – and that’s as much to do with familiarity of the geography as medical need.”

‘Insure’ says Foreign Office

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) stresses the need for insurance even for those staying briefly in Saudi Arabia. It states: “You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance for the whole duration of your proposed trip before travelling.” It warns that hospitals may refuse treatment if a patient is uninsured or cannot pay in advance.

What it costs

Compared with international medical insurance premiums in other parts of the Middle and Far East, premiums in Saudi Arabia are reasonable. Market rivalry has had some effect. A person aged 32 would pay an annual premium of £888 in Saudi Arabia with Aviva International Solutions’ comprehensive plan (budget £799). For comparison, Aviva’s identical cover in Singapore costs half as much again – an additional £483.

Other providers are similarly priced, with AxaPPP at £1,021 comprehensive (budget £798). Medicare’s International Plus plan costs £1,421 (budget £1,075).

Insurance adviser Stephen Walker quoted prices for a couple aged 41 and 39, and again Aviva was cheapest at £1,954 comprehensive (£1,759 budget). The only other providers under £3,000 were AxaPPP at £2,384 (budget £1,864) and IMG at £2,529 (budget £1,477).

Health warnings

The FCO alerts Britons to the dangers of Rift Valley fever in south-west Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Jizan area. It says: “There have also been cases of cerebral malaria but only in Jizan itself. The outbreaks of cerebral malaria are local and do not affect Jeddah or any other areas of Saudi Arabia.”

Those intending to visit the Jizan region, should seek advice on Rift Valley fever and cerebral malaria before travelling. There were several cases of dengue fever in Jeddah in 2010. The FCO urges “sensible precautions to avoid mosquito bites”.

Vaccination

UK health authorities advise people going to Saudi Arabia to vaccinate against yellow fever, diphtheria (three months before travel), hepatitis A and B, rabies (in some cases) tetanus and – for those at risk – typhoid. Diseases not preventable by vaccine but by other means include malaria, schistosomiasis and dengue fever.

The National Travel Health Network and Centre advises that contagious diseases spread quickly, particularly during Hajj and Ramadan. During the period of Hajj and Umrah, visa requirements for Saudi Arabia mean pilgrims must have a valid certificate of vaccination against strains of meningitis.

With summer temperatures in central Saudi Arabia hitting as high as 45C, respiratory problems, aggravated by dust, are common.

Terrorism

The FCO repeatedly warns the expatriate community about the risk of terrorism. It says that Saudi Arabian courts convicted more than 700 people for involvement in terrorism in 2010. Westerners remain vulnerable. Oil infrastructure and aviation are among the possible targets.

“All British nationals should continue to exercise a high level of vigilance, particularly in public places, and take sensible precautions for your safety. You should avoid any large gatherings or demonstrations.”

Bold step

Saudi Arabia had little option but to make medical cover compulsory for its international community. It led the way. For employers who were not already insuring their staff, the added cost has not been as bad as many might have feared. Competition forced insurers to turn a potentially lucrative business into a buyers’ market. Relatively low insurance rates continue.

This article was originally published in the Telegraph, Weekly World Edition

Wary Saudi expats face bank freeze, job losses

admin — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:05:17 +0000

Thousands of expats in Saudi Arabia are set to clear their bank accounts ahead of upcoming visa renewals amid fears new curbs on foreign labour will unleash a wave of job cuts.

Foreign workers, whose bank accounts are frozen during visa renewals, fear rules aimed at forcing private sector firms to increase their quota of Saudi employees will leave them unemployed, unable to access their cash, and struggling to find a new job.

On a small positive note, more and more citizens are looking into online accounting degrees, particularly in the field of accounting forensics, which is growing, to help keep companies clean and honest in the future. See forensicaccountingdegree.org
for more information.

“The feeling is of fear and uncertainty,” said a Filipino office administrator, who asked not to be named. “If my iqama [residency visa] expires and is not renewed, my bank account will be frozen. Once your bank account is frozen, no money can be taken from it. Your driver’s license is also frozen, credit cards as well.

“If you get a new job without a valid iqama, you only expose yourself to further exploitation – you can get jailed if you are found.”

Companies in the world’s top oil exporter have until November 26 to achieve a set quota of Saudi employees, or face tough penalties including a ban on renewing visas for foreign workers.

Firms will be graded as red, yellow and green. Expat employees of ‘red’ companies will not have their visas renewed at all, while ‘green’ companies will net a host of benefits, including fast-track visas for foreign workers.

Expats within red firms whose visas are not renewed will need to secure a post within a green company in order to stay in the kingdom – but are likely to face fierce competition for the role.

Worse, their bank account will be frozen during the job seeking period.

“Expatriates in Saudi Arabia are worried,” said John Sfakianakis, chief economist at Banque Saudi Fransi and author of a report on the new Nitaqat scheme.

“Their residency will not be renewed unless they find employment in another company in the green or ‘excellent’ category. It means now they have to make sure that either they find new jobs or they take their money out of the bank – because it will be frozen.”

Complicating the matter further are labour rules that insist foreign workers in Saudi must secure a release letter from their employer in order to move jobs. While the law is under review, many lawyers in the kingdom oppose moves to scrap it, said Donovan Rinker-Morris, associate at legal firm Abdulaziz A. Al-Bosaily.

“The possibility that a new employer could legitimately employ an expat without the consent of the old employer terrifies many of the Saudi managers,” he said. “It has never been possible to do that legitimately before. And there are an awful a lot of lawyers looking to challenge this, so it’s difficult to say whether it will actually happen.”

Some foreign workers told Arabian Business they would go to any lengths to stay in the country, including forfeiting their summer holidays and obtaining visas illegally.

“I have been employed at my company for a long time and I’m happy here. If I had to, I’d use a Saudi I know to buy a new visa. It isn’t cheap but I don’t want to leave Saudi,” an Indian expatriate said.

“At the moment my family is on vacation, but I’ve chosen to remain and work this summer. I want my company to see me working so that my job is not at risk.”

Unemployment among nationals in the kingdom, which sits on more than a fifth of global oil reserves, stands at around 10.5 percent, the minister of labour said in May.

Joblessness in the Gulf Arab state has risen as an outdated school system focused on religion and the Arabic language produces graduates who have difficulty finding jobs with private firms.

Companies favour workers from Asia, prepared to work long hours for low salaries, or well-paid foreign experts. (via arabianbusiness.com)

Saudi Arabia- A Place for Expatriates

admin — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:06:03 +0000

Despite the cultural shock you are likely to get, and in some cases the religious and social disparities as well, mutual curiosity is one thing that can ignite interaction between you and a Saudi.

Royal biographer and historian Robert Lacey, having seen a huge success from his bestselling The Kingdom: Arabia and the House of Sa’ud, published 30 years ago, now reveal the afterlife.

Covering everything from, souring of the US-Saudi relationship to the growth of terrorism, Lacey now presents a glance into the perpetual conflicts between the ulema and monarchy.

There always have been some mind boggling thoughts about the social life in Saudi Arabia. It is indeed so easy to form opinions about a place you have never visited and may be never even wish to. But one thing that is sure to startle you is that 5.6 million among the 22.6 million Saudis in the kingdom are the heterogeneous expatriate community.

It is obvious that one will find linguistic differences when interacting with a Saudi but for some years now, there has been a vast increase in the number of English-speaking Saudis.

The despotic society shown by the writer entails a fidgety and angry youth, a prejudice of women drivers and the threats faced by dogma denying teachers.

Financing Services (Saudi & Expat)

admin — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 05:49:58 +0000

If you are a Saudi citizen, an expatriate, and/or just arrived in Saudi here is a detailed guide for financing whether it’s a car or a large purchase. All you need to know about financing programs and requirements.

SAMBA

Saudi Citizen

Quick turnaround and processing.
Finance up to 15 times your total monthly income.
Convenient installments up to 60 months.
No guarantor required.

Required Documents
Application form.
A clear copy of valid ID/Iqama.
Certificate of employment stating the job title, joining date, monthly income and allowances (if any).
Salary transfer letter from the employer.

For instant approval, please call 24-hours toll-free Sambaphone on: 8001241010

“Al-Khair Finance” offers you the following programs:

Program

Program Description

Max Finance Amount

Link

Saudi Nationals

Al-Khair Finance is available for Saudi nationals who work for government, semi-government or private sectors.

Up to SR 750,000

Apply Now

GOSI Retirees

Al-Khair Finance is now available for retirees of General Organization for Social Insurance

Up to SR 200,000

Apply Now

Expatriate

(1) Al-Khair Finance with end-of-service benefits:
Al-Khair Finance in its known format depends on end-of-service benefits to finance expatriates and offers them the ability to benefit from the program to be financed up to 15 multiple of their monthly income in an easy way.

Conditions of the Employee
Total monthly income at least SR 2,500.
Age is 18 years old and over.
At least one month service at the present job.
Works for one of Samba’s approved list of employers.

(2) Al-Khair Finance without end-of-service
benefits:
Samba has provided a program specially designed for Expats without depending on end-of-service benefits to give them the chance to benefit from the program and get financed between SR 10,000 and SR 100,000.

Conditions of the Employee
Total monthly income at least SR 2,500.
Age is between 23 and 60 years old.
At least one year service at the present job.
Works for one of Samba’s approved list of employers.

(3) Al-Khair Arrival Finance

We know how difficult and confusing it can be arriving to a new country. So, Samba is proud to be the first bank in the kingdom to made cash finance immediately available for you, the moment you arrive. We designed a program especially for those who have only just arrived to help them making better future as soon as they get their Iqama.

Conditions of the Employee
Total monthly income at least SR 5,000.
At least one month service at the present job.
Works for one of Samba’s approved list of employers.
Valid Iqama required

Program

Program Description

Max Finance Amount

Link

Arrival Finance for expatriates new in the Kingdom

For those expatriates who have just arrived, Samba has made the cash Finance immediately available for you.

Up to SR 75,000

Apply Now

Expatriates

Easy convenient way to meet all your growing needs with or without the need to assign your end-of-service benefit.

Up to SR 750,000

Apply Now

EasyBuy from SABB Amanah

Eligibility

Minimum age of 21 years and maximum of 65 years
Monthly income of at least SAR 2,000
Offered to both Saudi Nationals and Expatriates

Documents Required

Completed EasyBuy application form
Valid Saudi ID for Saudi Nationals and Iqama for Non-Saudi
ATM Card or Account opening card with any Bank in the Kingdom

Employment letter, recent bank statement, or a salary slip may be required in exceptional cases

Contact

For more information, please call SABB Direct toll free number 800 124 8888

Alrajhi

Car Loan Program

Features and Benefits

No down-payment or guarantor required
Easy installments up to 60 months
Available for Saudi nationals and expatriates

Eligibility

Minimum monthly income of SR 2,500
At least 6 months of employment with an organization recognized by Al Rajhi Bank
A completed loan application form
A copy of your identification card (National ID / Iqama) along with the original
An official letter of introduction from your present employer stating the commencement date and monthly salary, including any allowances and bonuses

You can reach us in the following way:

Telephone: Toll Free 800 124 1222
Fax: 01 211 7946
Branch: Visit any one of our branches or Al Rajhi showrooms
e-mail: car@alrajhibank.com.sa

Click here to download the Car Finance application form

50 Email Contacts of Saudi Employers

admin — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:17:21 +0000

(Series 1 of 40 ) 2000 email address of Saudi employers. This way, the only effort you have to make is sending out your CV . This list has been put together by Zenobia. Every week I will publish 50 email contacts. In all there will be 40 posts about jobs and employment in Saudi.

Before you copy/paste please remember to be responsible and not abuse the information presented to you. This post is intended to help you with your job search and not to exploit the contact information.

1. alghamdi.as.2@pg.com

2. laheani@sasref.com.sa

3. construction@jviglobal.com

4. hrdqm2005@yahoo.com

5. jobsindammam@gmail.com

6. KHALEDADAS@intel.com

7. Jop50@yahoo.com

8. zgramoun@sara.com.sa

9. hr@falcom.com.sa

10. info@jawharetyam.com

11. sales@marpco.com

12. akam@arabia.com

13. admin_hr@ziic.com

14. jobz.mideast@gmail.com

15. Tepaindia@yahoo.com

16. smalkhelaifi@gmail.com

17. RNcard@hotmail.com

18. almadina.co@hotmail.com

19. multinat@zajil.net

20. spreethi@gtfsgulf.com

21. Job@taiba.com.sa

22. info@dasmanfood.com.sa

23. ian.wilkinson@worleyarabia.com

24. Riyadh-mgr@riadaa.com

25. hr_510@yahoo.com

26. ContractandAdmin@mobily.com.sa

27. a.alsawad@atco.com.sa

28. rcgc@riyadh-cables.com

29. jdcjed@yahoo.com

30. zahima@aecl.com

31. komal@tyson-enterprises.com

32. aharamco@hugayet.com.sa

33. CSM.KSA@gmail.com

34. corporate.hr@cplmg.com

35. reeruitment@psi.com.sa

36. hrinfo@enirepsa.com

37. recruitment2006@hotmail.com

38. info@napcper.com

39. nownawaf@yahoo.com

40. jobsinmarketing2005@rediffmail.com

41. idrees@riadaa.com

42. k_abunaji@haj.gov.sa

43. wm_w66@yahoo.com

44. careers@digicomsystems.com

45. Vasudevan.Nair@sa.ey.com

46. abeer.a@clarendonparker.com

47. a.murfig@arcoma.com

48. saudibusinessjob@yahoo.com

49. asaleh100@hotmail.com

50. intertech@intertech-pal.com

______________________________________

We are not responsible for these emails, if/or they are accurate.

The Ultimate List: Compounds in Riyadh

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 10:12:00 +0000

Updated (11/2010): A list of compound communities and housing residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. These compounds are located in various parts of Riyadh. Compounds are gated communites, with different types of housing units.

Most of these communities where built in the Mid 70′s and 80′s. They provide recreational facilities like gyms, swimming pools and rec. centers. Most provide shuttles to public places like malls and parks. They are also very secure, most residence are expat families.

You should keep in mind that compound housing units are very limited in Riyadh, therefore applying early is important. Currently, most people are on waiting lists of 6-12 months. Rent for compound villa is approx. between 95,000 SR to 250,000 SR annually. Studio Apt. can be anywhere from 15,000 SR to 25,000 SR annually.

Note: Make sure to sign up early for a villa at one of these compounds, waiting lists are long since there is a shortage of compounds in Riyadh enough to accommodate all those interested. Waiting lists are anywhere from 50 to 200 people. (Riyadh international calling code: +966 01)

AL HAMRA Tel: 249 0440 (Home of the British School, 220k – 260k waiting list)
AL-ISSA COMP Tel: 491 8400 (40-50k annually)
AL JAZEERA BADER Tel: 492 1135 (Milwah Al-Shammry)
AL MOHAEYA COMPOUND (Boeing Compound) Tel: 482 1222 x 403, 410, 111, 666
AL NAKHEEL RESIDENCE Tel: 470 4191 (Peter Howarth-Lees) (Takhassusi St, Near Dallah Hospital)
AL-OLA #7 Tel: 460 8095 – 460 7704 (Olaya – Abdullah Hamdan St., between Thalateen & Tahliah)
AL ROMAIZON Tel: 274 0917, 488 0533 (Behind Immam University)
AL WAHA GARDEN VILLAGE Tel: 278 8414 x 1149 (Exit 10)

AL YAMAMAH VILLAGE Tel: 401 2550 (Eastern Ring Road J16)
ARAB INVESTMENT COMPOUND Tel: 482 3444, Fax:482 313169 (Diplomatic Quarter)
ARABIAN HOMES Tel: 454 1888 (Prince Abdullah Street, Al-Mursalat)
ARIZONA Golf Club Tel: 248 4444 (Cordoba Compound, 300k annually)
ASASCO VILLAGE Tel: 419, 9000 or 419 0936 x 423 (Olaya)
CREATORS REAL ESTATE Tel: 478 6708
COFRAS COMPOUND Tel: 478 7434 (J30 Dammam Highway)
CORDOBA OASIS VILLAGE Tel: 248 3471 (Nr British School)
DELTA #1 & #2 Tel: 488 7611 x 245 (Opp. King Saud University)
DHABAB GARDENS COMPOUND Tel: 463 1596 – 462 2392 – 462 6762 – 465 0513 (Elite Villas)
DYWIDAG SAUDI ARABIA LTD Tel: 246 4144 x 153
EID COMPOUND Tel: 248 3366 (Nr British School, 350k waiting list)
EURO COMPOUND Tel: 478 0718 – 478 7381, Mobile- 055 27 28 36 ( 75k annually)
EXPAT REAL ESTATE Tel: 454 0404
FAL COMPOUND Tel: 248 5847(Exit 8 – Arizona 125k waiting list)
GREEN CITY 470 8880 x 411(Prince Abdullah Street – Sheraton)
KINGDOM CITY Tel: 275 0275 (Kingdom Hospital, Airport Road, 220k annually waiting list)
NAJD VILLAGE Tel: 248 1040 x 513 (- Eid Villas)
RIYADH VILLAGE (AKA PHILLIPS ERICCSON) Tel: 246 4900
RABWA COMPOUND Tel: 493 1741 (J13 Eastern Ring Road/Kourais Road)
RANCO VILLAGETel: 492 4411
ROC COMPOUND Tel: 241 2800 (Al-Silay, Exit 16)
SAHARA TOWERS Tel: 462 5666 (Olaya)
SAUDI BRITISH BANK Tel: 405 0677
SUMMERLAND COMPOUND Tel: 454 9152 (Old Airport Road, King Fahad Rd.)
SEDAR VILLAGE (155k annually)
VILLAS ROSAS Tel: 482 4417 (Diplomatic Quarter)
NAJACO COMPOUND RENTAL LISTINGS
GARDENIA COMPOUND
STAR BAE COMPOUND
PARK VIEW VILLA COMPOUND
AL FARAZDAK COMPOUND
AL FAISALIAH RESIDENCE

Urban high fashion Riyadh

admin — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 05:30:05 +0000

Riyadh is Saudi capital of fashion. With a district (Olaya) dedicated to the high end world of fashion, brands from all over the world compete for the eyes of young Saudi. 966, Life, SID, The Wall, Rubaiyat, Baco all luxury boutiques lined with limited edition, fashion forward street wear, urban couture and nothing less than perfect.

Sid

(Location: Nujoud Mall +966 1 4414122)

Sid is a new lifestyle concept store opened early 2007, which presents high end men’s and women’s contemporary brands as well perfumes, magazines, home accessories and furniture in a refined and stylish atmosphere. SID carries brands like…

Life

(Location: Nujoud Mall +966 1 441 4122)

The boutiques offer an exceptional variety of women’s and men’s clothing, fashion and home accessories as well as quirky gadgets and best editors’ books.

Our fashion concept offers high end casual and street wear look put together in a lively, urban and friendly atmosphere.

LIFE firstly opened its doors in Jeddah in 2003 and expanded in Riyadh in May 2005.

Suite 966

(Location: Localizer Mall, Tahliya St., Riyadh)

Suite 966 is also an exclusive lifestyle boutique for men and women with brands like Diesel, Freesoul , G-star, Firetrap, Fullcircle, Hollybob, Custobarchlona ,Superdry, Bracoco, Kuxo..etc

Rubaiyat

(Locations: Tahliya St, Kingdom Mall)

A luxury retailer with exclusive representation of more than forty top fashion houses.