Source: Arab News
Date: 2009-04-27
The Foreign Ministry may consider opening centers for issuing visas in various parts of countries that send large numbers of pilgrims for Haj and Umrah, an official said yesterday.
The aim of opening such centers would be to reduce crowding at Saudi embassies and consulates, Muhammad bin Ahmed Tayeb, director general of the ministry’s office in Makkah province, told Arab News.
“It’s possible. In fact, this is our policy. During the Haj season we send many officials to different countries to issue visas and support our staff in embassies, particularly in countries such as India, Indonesia, Turkey and Egypt,” Tayeb said when asked about the possibility of expanding visa services abroad.
However, he pointed out that for opening such offices provincial authorities in those countries should make formal requests to the Saudi ministry through their central governments.
“We can send two or three officials to the Indian state of Kerala, for example, to issue Haj visas if required,” he said, adding that the ministry would respond positively to such requests.
Tayeb also spoke about the new visa introduced by the Kingdom in order to help foreign businessmen explore investment opportunities in the Kingdom and establish links with their Saudi counterparts.
“Businessmen can now get visas directly from our missions and they don’t need an invitation letter from the Kingdom.” He said if any businessmen faced problems in getting visas they should contact the ministry. “We’ll help them,” he added.
Tayeb emphasized the Kingdom’s efforts to boost domestic tourism in order to make the sector a major revenue earner. “Tourism is very important for our national economy and our people have begun to realize its benefits,” he said.
The impact of the current global financial crisis on Saudi Arabia has not been as serious as on other countries thanks to the economic measures taken by the government.
He described the appointment of Prince Naif as second deputy premier as “a very good step,” adding that it would strengthen the Kingdom’s political stability.
“Prince Naif is an experienced statesman. He has been the country’s interior minister for 35 years. He is a well-known figure in the Arab world so his appointment was not a surprise. People in general are satisfied with this decision,” he said.
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