Saudi Arabia Special Edition 2017

Saudi Arabia

Quarterly magazine on-line, February / April 2017

Special Edition

AMBASSADOR H.E. RAYED KHALED A. KRIMLY

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Sommary 10 Saudi Arabia, a country in constant evolution, between ancient and modern.

17 Interview to President of Arab-Italian Chamber Mr. MARIO MANCINI.

23 SAUDIA, welcome to you world!

26 The art told by Mayoor.

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23

26 17

THE PROGRESS TIME Quarterly magazine on-line, February / April 2017

Aut.Trib. di Arezzo n. 4/13RS del 23/07/2013 Aut. Modifiche dal Tribunale di Arezzo del 02/07/2015 EDITOR Mr. Ivan De Stefano EDITOR IN CHIEF Mrs. Barbara Ganetti GRAPHIC & WEB DESIGNER Mr. Lucio Tosi TRASLATOR Ms. Giulia Ruzzenenti QUESTO NUMERO È STATO FINITO DI IMPAGINARE IL 18/02/2017 CONTATTI editore@theprogresstime.com - redazione@theprogresstime.com

Hotel Regina Milano Via Cesare Correnti 13 – 20123 MILANO (ITALIA) Tel. 0258106913 – Fax 0258107033 e-mail info@hotelregina.it Web: www.hotelregina.it

Editorial

by Barbara Ganetti

In this first publication of the new year, we will debate business and cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and our country, with a history of friendly cooperation that lasts for over 80 years; currently, the two countries are increasing their economic relations and this means great opportunities for the Italian Know-How. In Saudi Arabia about 70 Italian companies are operative, through joint-ventures with Arabian partners. Various Italian groups from the petrochemical and the plant engineering sectors continue to win important contracts, related to the building and/or the expansion of petrochemical complexes. Italian companies are present also in the constructions and

infrastructures sectors, with projects particularly important for their size and their social impact, such as the case of the Riad subway.

In this Saudi Arabia special issue, in collaboration with the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Italy, we are glad to propose you two exclusive interviews: the first one with H.E. RAYED KHALED A. KRIMLY, Saudi Ambassador in Italy, and, the second one with Mr. Mario Mancini, President of the Arab-Italian Chamber of Commerce. These two interviews will help us to know what new exchange possibilities are delineating between our two countries.

Enjoy the read

Saudi Arabia, a country in constant evolution, between ancient and modern.

By Ivan De Stefano

Ambassador H.E. Rayed Khaled a. Krimly

The Italian-Saudi economic relations continue to live their favorable moment for our national interests. In fact, the Saudi kingdom is widely willing to increase economic relations with Italy. Saudi Arabia needs a huge amount of goods, services and, especially, knowledges, in order to proceed in the economic diversification process and to organize the support for the demand of its population, that is growing in number and in complexity. The Italian in-

vestments in this kingdom are based on the traditional sectors of energy, petrochemical industry, infrastructures and defense. The areas with the highest perspectives of growth, and that assume future investments for Italy, are certainly, healthcare, renewable energies, chemistry and plastic, health and educational infrastructures, defense and water system. For a Saudi customer with high purchasing power, “Made in Italy� is always identified with luxu

ry items, exclusivity and high sophistication.

Italian machineries continue to be, not only a reference for various sectors of Saudi industry, but this exportation is also expanding together with the growth of the Saudi economy. In this Saudi-Arabia special issue, for courtesy, we have interviewed H.E. RAYED KHALED A. KRIMLY, Saudi Ambassador in Italy, with the purpose to know what new exchange possibilities are delineating between our two countries.

The relations between Italy and Saudi Arabia praise an over 80 years’ History, whose progressive and profitable intensification had not only repercussions on economic and commercial exchanges but on cultural ones too.

What are the cultural meeting point between Italy and Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia and Italy have more in common than first meets the eye. They are both relatively recent political creations that were based on a long and rich history. Both Saudi Arabia and Italy, as we know them today, were the result of a long and unique struggle for unification. Saudi Arabia includes the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, the birth place and Holiest sites of Islam. It also occupies most of the Arabian Peninsula, the birth place of the Arab identity and culture. Italy’s rich history represents a civilization that was the center of the Roman Empire, of Christianity, and of the European Renaissance. It is thus not surpri-

sing that Saudi Arabia and Italy enjoyed strong friendly relations for over eight decades based on mutual respect and common interests.

The cooperation between the two countries has been settled through several agreements and Memorandum of Understanding and has witnessed a remarkable and favorable development at all levels, political, economic, commercial, cultural, scientific, and in the investment fields of security and defense.

Concerning trade and economic cooperation between Italy and Saudi Arabia, are they favorable? What are the main sectors involved in this process?

In 2016, Italy is ranked among the top ten countries as a source of Saudi imports. Italy comes before Britain, and after China, the USA, Germany, Japan, the UAE, Korea, India and France. Because of declining oil prices, the trade balance is currently favoring Italy.

Saudi Arabia exports to Italy are largely focused on oil, mineral resources, and petrochemicals. Saudi imports from Italy mainly concern the sectors of mechanical engineering, refined products and manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and wooden furniture industry. Joint economic cooperation agreements and understandings have contributed to activate investments and to an increase the trade exchange between the two countries. Over past decade, KSA has further liberalized its trade regime to offer an open, supportive and stable environment for trade in accordance with WTO rules.

Is it profitable for Italian companies to invest in Saudi Arabia?

Our stable government, banking system and currency offer investors a business-friendly environment. Foreign investors enjoy all the benefits, incentives, guarantees, and support offered to national investors according to law

and regulations, and can transfer capital and profits abroad. We rank among the top world’s oil producer and have a wealth of metal deposit, that allow us to lend to lowest energy prices for investment projects and easy access to certain raw materials. Saudi Arabia is a founding member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) as well as of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) through which has free trade agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and Singapore. KSA is the largest economy in the Arab World, with 25% of the total MENA gross domestic product (GDP), and is the only Arab member of the G-20. It has high purchasing power and is one of the fastest-growing countries worldwide. Saudi Arabia signed with Italy Memorandum of Understanding for promoting and pro-

tecting investment and for preventing double taxation. We have major Italian companies and big players involved in important projects in the Kingdom, even though they are not at forefront of actual investment. There are currently many opportunities of investment in Saudi Arabia in the infrastructure, manufacturing and health sectors as well as in the information, communications and technology sector. Saudi Government is taking a proactive approach in encouraging foreign investments

and will continue facilitating access to trading and investing in the stock markets and to welcome foreign technology and expertise to reach the ambitions goals of Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia pay specific attention for investments in the Academic education

domain and research innovation. Which is the role of Italy as a partner in these fields?

The leaders of Saudi Arabia consider our people as our most important asset and truly renewable resource. This is why we continue to increase spending on education even when our oil revenues decline sharply. Between 2014 and 2016, our public spending on education increased by 6%, reaching 57 billion dollars.

In 2015, our students reached 9 million. 1.5 million of them are students of high education.

We have currently 183 thousand students pursuing their studies outside Saudi Arabia, with full governmental scholarship. 52% of all our university students are female. Approximately 1.9 million Saudis will enter the workforce over the next ten years, increasing the size of the current workforce by more than one-third.

Thus, the Kingdom is expecting to increase its investments on national education and training and to strengthen its cooperation with friend countries to unleash the potential of the country’s youth. Saudi Arabia and Italy have a solid and historical cooperation on Cultural, scientific and technical fields, first established in 1973 with an agreement and later implemented with

memorandum of understanding. During the past years, Italian and Saudi scientists, researches and students took part in exchange and cooperation programs implemented by high profile universities, companies and scientific centers of both countries. A recent example of this cooperation is the 5 years’ agreement signed in 2016 by the Islamic University Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud and the University of Bologna to promote dialogue, cultural and artistic and archeological exchange.

Besides the capital city Riyadh, cities as Jeddah, Madinah and Makkah represent an ancient cultural and architectural heritage; which are the strategy concerning the respect of cultural and natural patrimony and touristic promotion that is Saudi Arabia implementing? Which is the role of Italy as a partner in these fields?

Antiquities discovered in the Kingdom demonstrate that the Arabian Peninsula is one of the oldest areas of human settlement in the world, which dates back to more than 1.2 million years ago. Saudi Arabia hosts several archeological and heritage sites registered in the World Heritage List of UNESCO including Al Dar’yyia, the Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art in Hail and Mada’in Salih which represents the ancient Nabatean civilization and it was also mentioned in Torah, in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, and in the Holy Quran. Saudi Arabia is always looking forward to strengthening the preservation of its antiquities and greatly value cooperation with countries holding rich and unique cultural heritage as Italy.

The first survey by an Italian expedition in the Kingdom was carried out in 2008 and led to the important archeological excavations Dumat Al-Jandal, one of the most important Arab commercial centers in the Nabatean and Roman periods. On 2013, this project has been renewed for further 5 years, after the signing in Rome of a Joint Statement between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Cultural Heritage and the Italian Ministry of Cultural

Heritage and Tourism to promote cooperation on archeology, urban heritage and tourism.

Opportunities of cooperation in the cultural heritage are promising and the Kingdom has launched several initiatives to achieve a breakthrough in the care of antiquities, museum and urban heritage and to link the sector to the tourism industry in order to contribute to the comprehensive development of the economy.

Saudi tourism industry is undergoing a rapid growth and is becoming an attractive environment for investors and for creating jobs for young Saudis. Tourism, mainly in the form of pilgrimage, business and domestic travel, currently contributes around 2.7% to the Kingdom’s GDP. The number of pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia for U’mrah is forecast to grow substantially, from 8m in 2015 to 15m by 2020 and 30m by 2030. Thus, Saudi Arabia is keens to support investors, operators and hoteliers and provide all facilities to international ho-

tel companies to enter the Saudi market. The Kingdom is also focusing on many initiatives in developing new tourist destinations along the coastal area faces the Red sea along the Gulf and in the scenic mountains.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW TO PRESIDENT OF ARAB-ITALIAN CHAMBER, MR. MARIO MANCINI FOR THE PROGRESS TIME

by Barbara Ganetti

President of Chamber, Mr. Mario Mancini

President Mancini, according to the latresident Mancini, according to the latest data, Italy has embarked firmly on the road to internationalization in the Arab countries. What structural and organizational tools are missing to be more competitive?

Italy in recent years has fielded numerous instruments (legislative and operational) for financial support for the internationalization of enterprises. I think, for example, at the venture capital funds, to start-up fund, the programs of the European Union and the commercial finance.

The Ministry of Economic Development, through its financial company Simest SpA, is working beside the companies, by offering a

range of financial instruments to tackle the foreign markets. Recently new ways of funding specifically targeted to small and medium enterprises system have been developed, being aware that they continue to represent the strength of the development of our national productive sector. In the field there are also other public entities, each contributing at activities concerning the foreign trade and the export of products and services.

In my opinion, we have the instruments, perhaps, is missing the ability of our country to act as a “system� and to deal with the proper preparation of internationalization processes that cannot be improvised. We will never tire of saying that the respect of some fundamental rules is necessary for the success of operations, especially in some markets, that are likely to be unsuccessful and disastrous from an economic point of view. To delude companies with the idea that anyone can approach certain markets is wrong. There is still a lack of culture of internationalization and sometimes the companies undertake routes that can be very tricky. But when the culture has been developed, the companies are left alone.

For this reason, we must always rely on experienced players such as the Arab-Italian Chamber, able to offer services and tools needed to face the challenge of foreign markets.

Despite appearances, even the countries that are geographically closer reserve unwelcome surprises in terms of regulations, tariff, cultural differences. That’s why you have to prepare well before taking on a challenge of this kind.

What are the prospects for the inter-

change between Saudi Arabia and Italy?

The biennium 2016-2017 is considered the breakthrough year for the Saudi economy,

thanks to the development program “Saudi Vision 2030� approved by the Council of Ministers chaired by King Salman, who aims to transform Saudi Arabia into a regional financial power and drastically reduce dependence on oil revenues. A new phase for the economy, an average growth of almost 3%, excellent geographical location, incentives for foreign in-

vestment and business environment and costs.

These five elements are fundamental for Italian companies intending to start an internationalization path to Saudi Arabia. Those are objective elements that can be added to the very favorable historic and strategic period for economic relations between Italy and Saudi and for our national interests in the Gulf monarchy. The Kingdom is in fact widely available to intensify economic relations with Italy, and to develop economic and financial initiatives of common interest. But we must not hide

the geopolitical problems affecting the region: the wars in Syria and Yemen, the tensions with Iran and the oil war are destabilizing factors that may adversely affect investments in

the area. Nevertheless, the prospects of trade between Italy and Saudi Arabia remain very good and our job is to support with all the means at our disposal the internationalization of our companies to the Gulf country.

tion and / or expansion of the petrochemical complex. Even in the field of construction and infrastructure Italian companies are present with important projects with social impact, as in the case of the underground in Riyadh. In-

Can you analyze the opportunities for Italy regarding the projects related to investments allocated by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority?

Thanks to its system of small and medium enterprises highly specialized in strategic sectors for the development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Italy enjoys favorable conditions for investments, in particular in the field of education, information technology, communication, transportation, logistic services and energy.

The administrative system of the Monarchy provides guarantees for Italian investments, thanks to the transparency and security of financial transactions. The massive government incentives and the stability of the currency with few peers internationally are also fundamental. In Saudi Arabia there are about seventy Italian companies. Several groups of the Italian petrochemical industry and plants continue to win major contracts for the construc-

teresting opportunities for the “Made in Italy� continue to exist for items with a strong luxury component: from fashion to jewelry, areas where we are not afraid of competition. And here is that the Italian system must grapple. I continue to see great opportunities.

How it is perceived at this time the Italian market by the investors of the Saudi Kingdom?

It is certainly a good market even if Italy is not perceived abroad as the best country in which to invest, because of the tangle of rules regulating the markets, the lack of legal certainty, the lack of transparency and the burden of corruption it is still certain in the economy.

Despite this, the Saudis tend to trust Italy, also

thanks to consolidated relations and personal relationships that become decisive in the conclusion of business. Recently, there has been a strong interest of Saudi Arabia for the cultural heritage sector, for example with the agreement signed on May to restore some monu-

ments in Sicily, an investment of 30 million dollars. This is certainly a good demonstration of how the Italian market is well perceived by investors of the Saudi kingdom.

Can you anticipate the projects on which the Arab-Italian Chamber intends to focus in the near future?

We will focus largely on cooperation and training. Cooperation, in particular, is an important activity of the Chamber that, during its forty-year history, has enabled a number of projects in order to strengthen economic and social cooperation between our country

and the Arab world. As part of this action we undertaken, organized and sponsored cultu-

ral, social and scientific activities, sometimes just to deepen mutual knowledge and to establish bonds of friendship between Italy and the Arab countries. Recently, the action of the

Chamber has been enriched by a new element: it is the design and management of services and projects in the field of vocational training for public authorities and private companies, with particular attention to the support and development of training courses for targeted

professionals to implement the possibilities for cooperation between Italy and the Arab countries. Certainly the areas in which the Chamber has played with greater intensity his activities are the internationalization of enterprises and international trade cooperation, providing a set of tools and services to help grow the system of small and medium-sized Italian companies and their propensity to exporting or investing in Arab markets. Today that picture has been enriched by new and interesting perspectives.

Italian artists

MAYOOR

He lives and works in Candia Lomellina, near Milan.

“Six red leaves”- Acrylic, cm 12 x 12 each - 2016

Face Book: Mayoor Lucio Tosi - Email: luciotosi31@gmail.com

SAUDIA, WELCOME to YOUR WORLD!

by Ivan De Stefano

The largest company in the Gulf carrying about twenty million passengers a year.

SkyTeam alliance member, Saudia has a fleet which includes, both in Europe and in Asia, the very modern Boeing 787 and 777300ER. It’s complemented by the excellent service on board. “Welcome to your world”!

Saudia flights from Rome and Milan to Riyadh and Jeddah, with 13 non-stop flights: seven from Roma and six from Milan that allow a weekly cover for easy access to Saudi Arabia from Italy. Operational are targeted mainly for business travellers, with convenient onward connection, and a network of

domestic routes that are the basis of an operational strategy to facilitate the connections in such a large country.

The company’s network reaches over 90 destinations around the world: Africa, Asia, the Middle and Far East (including China, Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, India), and continues to invest in new routes in July 2016 has successfully launched flights from Monaco to JEDDAH RIYADH and, from 18th November 2016, from Ankara (Turkey) to Saudi Arabia in addition to the already ‘existing daily flights from Istanbul.

COMPARTMENTS ON BOARD Saudi Arabian Airlines offers its customers three travel classes on most of its flights: First Class, Business Class and Guest Class. Customer satisfaction is a top priority, starting with the reservation and follow up with check-in, boarding, onboard service, landing, baggage delivery and, finally, assistance on arrival.

ENTERTAINMENT ON BOARD Saudi Arabian Airlines uses the most advanced technology to meet the needs of passengers, especially on long-haul flights. On many aircraft Saudia seats have individual video screens touch or managed by fully integrated control panels. This interactive system offers 24 on-demand video channels which can reach up to 40.

MEALS ON BOARD On board of Saudi Arabian Airlines all meals are prepared according to world class standards, combining haute cuisine with technology of food science. The catering service of the airline, Saudia Catering, has earned an international reputation for the quality of its food, placed not only at the service of Saudi Arabian Airlines, but also for other national and international airlines.

The art told by Mayoor.

by Barbara Ganetti

What do you think about Eastern art?

Lucio Tosi alias Mayoor.

Today, the art in general, is living a moment of profound change, thanks to new technologies but, especially, to the cultural – and not only economic – globalization, that mankind is facing, also if actually it is not ready yet; for this reason, today more than ever, the art has a certainly more difficult task than in the past. I wanted to meet Lucio Tosi, alias Mayoor, in his home/atelier, in order to collect his impressions about the current conditions of art and its changes; he was born in Milan in 1954, he studied in the Brera Academy of Fine Arts and, a few years ago, he moved from the big city to Candia Lomellina, a small town in the Po Valley, where, far from the frenetic chaos, he creates his artworks.

I cannot say I have seen a lot, I have travelled in the north of Africa, in some Islamic culture countries and I have seen the famous Taj Mahal, in India. A fascinating travel for the Western people, especially for how they show the “divine”, through the extraordinary beauty of decorations. In the morning, I woke up with the Muezzin melodious song; this moment has remained unforgettable for me. I agree with that culture and with the idea of the divine that can be only represented by abstract and poetry.

Nowadays, how important is the role of painting?

Painting, in the strict sense, is not a means as it is for several conceptual or narrative artists, but it is a purpose. It is, for everyone, a manner to increase the knowledge, to investigate the existence, to understand the reality but, I think the artist-painter should not be considered just like a good illustrator. In my opinion, to be an artist means to bravely get close to the mystery of creation.

“Ho visto il colore marrone brillare in una giornata di pioggia sui campi arati della pianura Padana”.

What kind of path has guided you to this full time dedication to art?

For several years, I worked as illustrator, a job that I did with awareness and responsibility.

Through drawing, I interpreted what advertisement requested me‌from food to Scandinavian sunsets, I think I have drawn everything.

As illustrator I worked on the physical aspect of things. Then, I wanted to dedicate to metaphysics.

For five years, from 2000 to 2005, I worked

Moonlight - 2016

Rosso e nero - 2015

with digital techniques. I used the executive speed that the computer offered me. It was wonderful, during a single afternoon I could experiment processes that with the traditional

techniques would have taken months or years of hard researches. In that period of five years I have seen the growth of my expressive language, made of empties and full spaces, covered by corpuscles presences, that I see as rhythmic, almost as I have an unnatural perception of the matter; I knew I was exploring a scientific field – DNA, cells, atoms, etc. –

Untitled - cm 12 x 12 each - 2016 but it is only thanks to traditional painting that I have discovered the human and existential side, linked to these elements: solitude, little beauties, the delight of a gesture made with freedom.

I realized I was going to choose my expressive language. However, if I had continued with digital painting, my artworks, or I should say my prints, I could have sold them only to scientific magazines, besides as decorative elements.

Manual painting has offered me the choice of a greater involvement, aesthetic and emotional. I started dealing with my limits, then, on the operational level, I have reinvented some tools, more suited to my expressive needs: the techniques I learnt in Brera Academy were

not enough anymore. Then again, my digital painting had exhausted; definitively, even if it is possible to personalize it, with digital we all use the same tools, the same color functions and the same special effects. Now, I paint with my hands, I use some brushes, I have discovered new materials and, let’s say that I have invented some “tricks” in order to get the surfaces I want. I believe every good painter, if not only conceptual or simply descriptive, has to look for his/her own uniqueness.

Moreover, the work has to be considered in a critical way, if it is included in some recognized genres or if it is an independent research, without examples in the past. Basically, I am an abstractionist; I would say an informal painter if I do not get my inspiration from the science than from feelings. In fact, my painting is not lyric, I care more about aesthetic emotion than sentimental involvement.

If someone, looking my painting would feel a sentimental emotion I would be the first to be astounded. It does not mean that what I see in my painting should be the same for whoever sees my artworks; it is always the public that has the last word.

Could you reveal us in advance some new projects?

I am working on very small formats, almost miniatures. I hope that this could highlight how the certainty of a symbol or the tonal juxtaposition among colors counts. I consider these small artworks sort of poetry verses. I hope to exhibit them soon, in Milan, before next summer.