Saudi Arabia among top 3 safest places in world

September 5, 2016

Jeddah, Sep 5: Saudi Arabia has been ranked among the top three safest places in the world, thanks to fewer natural disasters and constant efforts by the government in terms of health, security and infrastructure.

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The Institute for Environment and Human Security at the UN University has, in its recent report, placed the Kingdom as the third most safe and secure country after Malta and Qatar.

The US ranked 116th, while the most dangerous countries in the world included Vanuatu and Tonga, the Philippines, Guatemala and Bangladesh.

According to the American news site, TakePart, natural disasters like fires, tsunamis and earthquakes reduce the proportion of people living in security and safety.

Researchers at the Institute for Environment and Human Security at the University of the UN recently issued a study analyzing such disasters in 171 countries and the risks they pose.

The study’s project manager, Peter Myuk, said the survey took into account all issues concerning the environment and natural and human aspects, as well as the infrastructure in many countries, the ability to provide security for citizens, and ability to deliver aid quickly in the event of certain disasters.

According to the results of the study, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Philippines, Guatemala and Bangladesh ranked as the five most dangerous countries to live in.

Thirteen countries, out of 15, with low safety levels are located on the African continent, and this can be attributed to the low development levels.

Vanuatu and Tonga specifically suffer from frequent earthquakes and volcanoes, decreasing their safety levels.

Richer countries ranked higher on the list, due to good infrastructure, larger food assistance and the development of telecommunication, electricity, sewage, water and other services that people need.

Australia has been ranked 121st on the list because it suffers from flooding throughout the year; equally low ranked is Japan, which suffers from natural disasters but addresses the challenges with modern building techniques.

The study also revealed that countries such as Liberia (56th), Zambia (66th) and Central Africa (71st) suffer mostly from lack of health and medical resources, as well as medical evacuation and ambulance services.

Many countries also suffer from poor roads, making it difficult for emergency teams to deliver aid during natural disasters.

Based on the findings, researchers concluded that although countries “cannot control the size and strength of natural disasters, as well as the wars that are currently taking place in a number of countries, governments can do more to reduce the danger to humans by providing capabilities that would limit the number of victims.”
Saudi Arabia among top 3 safest places in world
Jeddah, Sep 5: Saudi Arabia has been ranked among the top three safest places in the world, thanks to fewer natural disasters and constant efforts by the government in terms of health, security and infrastructure.

The Institute for Environment and Human Security at the UN University has, in its recent report, placed the Kingdom as the third most safe and secure country after Malta and Qatar.

The US ranked 116th, while the most dangerous countries in the world included Vanuatu and Tonga, the Philippines, Guatemala and Bangladesh.

According to the American news site, TakePart, natural disasters like fires, tsunamis and earthquakes reduce the proportion of people living in security and safety.

Researchers at the Institute for Environment and Human Security at the University of the UN recently issued a study analyzing such disasters in 171 countries and the risks they pose.

The study’s project manager, Peter Myuk, said the survey took into account all issues concerning the environment and natural and human aspects, as well as the infrastructure in many countries, the ability to provide security for citizens, and ability to deliver aid quickly in the event of certain disasters.

According to the results of the study, Vanuatu, Tonga, the Philippines, Guatemala and Bangladesh ranked as the five most dangerous countries to live in.

Thirteen countries, out of 15, with low safety levels are located on the African continent, and this can be attributed to the low development levels.

Vanuatu and Tonga specifically suffer from frequent earthquakes and volcanoes, decreasing their safety levels.

Richer countries ranked higher on the list, due to good infrastructure, larger food assistance and the development of telecommunication, electricity, sewage, water and other services that people need.

Australia has been ranked 121st on the list because it suffers from flooding throughout the year; equally low ranked is Japan, which suffers from natural disasters but addresses the challenges with modern building techniques.

The study also revealed that countries such as Liberia (56th), Zambia (66th) and Central Africa (71st) suffer mostly from lack of health and medical resources, as well as medical evacuation and ambulance services.

Many countries also suffer from poor roads, making it difficult for emergency teams to deliver aid during natural disasters.

Based on the findings, researchers concluded that although countries “cannot control the size and strength of natural disasters, as well as the wars that are currently taking place in a number of countries, governments can do more to reduce the danger to humans by providing capabilities that would limit the number of victims.”

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News Network
May 11,2020

May 11: Saudi Arabia will triple its value-added tax rate and suspend a cost of living allowance for state workers, it said on Monday, seeking to shield finances hit by low oil prices and a slump in demand for its lifeline export worsened by the new coronavirus.

Historic oil output cuts agreed by Riyadh and other major producers have given only limited support to prices after they sank on oversupply caused by a war for petroleum market share between the kingdom and its fellow oil titan Russia.

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is also being hit hard by measures to fight the new coronavirus, which are likely to curb the pace and scale of economic reforms launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"The cost of living allowance will be suspended as of June 1, and the value added tax will be increased to 15% from 5% as of July 1," Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan said in a statement reported by the state news agency. "These measures are painful but necessary to maintain financial and economic stability over the medium to long term...and to overcome the unprecedented coronavirus crisis with the least damage possible."

The austerity measures come after the kingdom posted a $9 billion budget deficit in the first quarter.

The minister said non-oil revenues were affected by the suspension and decline in economic activity, while spending had risen due to unplanned strains on the healthcare sector and the initiatives taken to support the economy.

"All these challenges have cut state revenues, pressured public finances to a level that is hard to deal with going forward without affecting the overall economy in the medium to long term, which requires more spending cuts and measures to support non-oil revenues stability," he added.

The government has cancelled and put on hold some operating and capital expenditures for some government agencies, and cut allocations for some reform initiatives and projects worth a total 100 billion riyals ($26.6 billion), the statement said.

Central bank foreign reserves fell in March at their fastest rate in at least 20 years and to their lowest since 2011, while oil revenues in the first three months of the year fell 24% from a year earlier to $34 billion, pulling total revenues down 22%.

"The reforms are positive from a fiscal side as greater adjustment is essential. However, the tripling of VAT is unlikely to help that much in 2020 revenue wise with the expected fall in consumption," said Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.

She said she kept unchanged her deficit forecast of 16.3% of GDP for this year, which already factors in a greater than previously announced spending cut.

About 1.5 million Saudis are employed in the government sector, according to official figures released in December.

In 2018, Saudi Arabia's King Salman ordered a monthly payment of 1,000 riyals ($267) to every state employee to compensate them for the rising living costs after the government hiked domestic gas prices and introduced value-added tax.

DIFFICULT TIMES

A committee has been formed to study all financial benefits paid to public sector employees and contractors, and will submit recommendations within 30 days, the statement said.

In late 2015, when oil prices fell from record highs, the kingdom slashed lavish bonuses, overtime payments and other benefits once considered routine perks in the public sector.

In a country without elections and with political legitimacy resting partly on distribution of oil revenue, the ability of citizens to adapt to such reforms is crucial for stability.

"Tripling the VAT will test the limits of the balance between revenues and consumption as the economy dives into a deep recession. The move will impact consumption and could also lower the expected revenues," said John Sfakianakis, a Gulf expert at the University of Cambridge.

"These are pro-austerity and pro-revenue moves rather than pro-growth ones," he said.

Hasnain Malik, head of equity strategy at Tellimer, said the VAT rise could bring about $24-$26.5 billion in additional non-oil fiscal revenue. The rise would hit consumer spending further but was a needed step towards fiscal sustainability, he said.

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News Network
May 13,2020

Riyadh, May 13: Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday urged oil-producing nations not only to adhere to agreed cuts to production, but further reduce output to help restore balance in global oil markets, state news agency SPA reported.

In issuing the call to OPEC+, which includes members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus Russia and other nations, ministers said the Kingdom is committed to supporting the stability of global oil markets.

After the meeting, acting Minister of Media Majed Al-Qasabi said that in addition to its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement, the Kingdom will voluntarily reduce output by an additional 1 million barrels a day in June. It will also try to implement additional cuts this month, with the consent of its customers, he added.

The cabinet said the Saudi initiatives aim to encourage other countries, whether they have signed up to the OPEC+ agreement or not, to adhere to its reduced rates and to cut output even further to help stabilize global oil markets.

During the cabinet meeting, which was conducted using video conferencing, King Salman also briefed ministers on his recent telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. He said they affirmed the historical and strategic relationship between the two countries and their commitment to the continuation of joint efforts to enhance security and stability in the region.

Ministers were then updated on the latest developments in the corona virus crisis, including the steps being taken locally and internationally to control it and safeguard public health, the number of cases in the Kingdom and the care being provided to those who are infected. They also reviewed details of the active screening and testing programs in all parts of the country, which have helped to keep the number of deaths relatively low compared to global rates.

The cabinet praised the efforts being made by government officials to combat the pandemic, and stressed that citizens and expatriates must abide by the precautionary and preventive measures introduced to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ministers described the decision by Saudi Arabia to host the Pledging Event for the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen 2020 on June 2 as an extension of the Kingdom’s humanitarian and development contribution, which reflects its pioneering role in supporting its neighbor.

The cabinet also welcomed the formation of the new government in Iraq and reiterated Saudi Arabia’s support for the nation and its readiness to work with the new administration to strengthen relations and enhance security and stability in the region.

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News Network
April 23,2020

Riyadh, Apr 22: In an extraordinary initiative, the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has decided to facilitate the travel of expatriates who have an exit and reentry visa or final exit visa to return to their countries.

This is in line with the order of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

According to the initiative, called “Auda” (return), expatriates can apply seeking permission for travel to their countries through the Absher portal of the ministry.

Announcing this, Saudi's Ministry of Interior said that the initiative will be implemented in cooperation with a number of relevant government agencies.

Requests for travel from expatriates will be received and approved in coordination with the relevant authorities to complete their travel procedures on board international flights.

As per the initiative, a text message will be sent to the beneficiary stating the travel date, ticket number and reservation details, and by which the beneficiary can obtain his travel ticket and complete the travel procedures.

Clarifying the procedures for the travel, the ministry said that the applicant shall select the icon (Auda) after visiting the Absher portal and fill the following fields: iqama (residency permit) number, date of birth, mobile number, departure city and airport of arrival.

It is not mandatory for the expatriate to have his own Absher account for availing of the service, the ministry said, adding that this facility is to enable expatriates to benefit from this initiative.

The departure will be through the following airports: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Prince Muhammad International Airport in Madinah, and King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

Those expatriates who are outside these cities can benefit from the service through entering airport of departure after completion of their travel procedures in sufficient period of time.

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