Research into the Possibilities of Economic Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - A lecture delivered during the Cultural Season of the Univsersity of Riyadh

Al Ela, Mahmoud Taha Abu

Edité par Al Bayan Al Uraibi Committee, 1965

A propos de cet article

A wide ranging and detailed profile of Saudi Arabia's non-oil economy, its regional diversity, cultural aspects, challenges posed by the oil boom, with opportunities and solutions. The author was Professor of Geography at Kuwait University. Original b/w printed wraps 17x24cm. 63pp Arabic text including 3 maps. Wraps good with author's presentation ink stamp and a stain to the front. Interiors very good. Although dated 1965, the lecture was given in Jan 1962 with data up to 1961 and references up to 1962. This opens by explaining economic stagnation in the Peninsula as a result of challenging environment, semi-isolation, and religious aversion to change. Modernisation began with Ibn Saud and the oil concessions. There is brief discussion about the development of the oil industry and its benefits in health, education, transport and urbanisation. The author notes however, that over-dependence on oil has weakened the rest of the economy, awareness of which led to the creation of a planning council. The main part of this lecture addresses the non-oil sectors. He explains how equipment and irrigation are improving agriculture by increasing cultivable land, employment away from the oil sector, and living standards. However, while resulting increased demand for imports has created a wealthy merchant class, it is undermining local industry (examples are given for dates, pasta, cement, and agricultural products). Saudi should be a net exporter of livestock but this is not the case. Fishing under-performs in spite of long coastlines and a wealth of marine life, reflected in poor performance by the Saudi Fishing Company due to primitive methods, lack of people and investment, preservation facilities, etc. Mining has slumped. Small industry has grown, highlighting those activities that benefit during Hajj, but is limited by historical and cultural factors including lack of skills, unstable labour force (generations of farmers and shepherds are reluctant to work in factories for long), and merchants who traditionally want quick and sure profits are reluctant to invest long-term. The author analyses population and its engagement in different sectors, contrasting urban and rural areas and nomads. Closing sections draw out solutions, relating to modernisation, infrastructure, skills, finance etc. With respect to the Bedouin, he calls for their settlement to increase the number of agricultural workers and productivity of herding, and describes what Bedouin settlements would look like. Farmers need technical and financial support, protection from exploitation by merchants, more efficient use of water, etc. Better data on population and activity is a priority for planning. Maps show transport links, geology, and mineral wealth.

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Research into the Possibilities of Economic Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - A lecture delivered during the Cultural Season of the Univsersity of Riyadh
• Éditeur: Al Bayan Al Uraibi Committee
• Date de parution: 1965
• Langue: arabe
• Reliure: Soft cover
• État de l'article: Good