Banks, currency and credit cards

All banks and banking operations in Saudi Arabia are controlled by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA). Several of the major commercial banks are wholly Saudi-owned and all others are in partnership with major international banks. Enormous advances have been made in banking, considering that the first bank opened its doors in Saudi Arabia as recently as 1926. A number of other specialized development and investment banks have been set up to stimulate private investment and to offer international aid. These include the Saudi Arabian Agricultural Bank, the Saudi Credit Bank, the Saudi Arabian Investment Company, the Saudi Fund for Development and the Saudi Industrial Development Fund.

Riyals are easily converted to any foreign currency (dollars, pounds, etc.) at local banks, and likewise, money transfers are readily available. The most readily accepted credit cards are American Express, Visa and MasterCard. If you presently have an American Express card you account will be transferred to Bahrain and billed from England.

Communications

In the field of communication, the Kingdom has rapidly progressed with a crucial role in INTELSAT and the new ARABSAT. Four ground stations for satellite communications (two in Riyadh, one in Jeddah and one in Taif) provide a total of 1,000 telephone circuits with direct access to 152 countries. The telex network connects more than 300 cities and towns with more than 150 countries.

The Kingdom is served by the most modern telephone system. Direct international telephone calls can be made to most of the world's countries. Telephone service continues to improve throughout the Kingdom. Both domestic and international calls are easy to place and incoming and outgoing reception is excellent.

The postal service has improved considerably in speeding up mail deliveries within the Kingdom due to the increase in air services. Telegraph facilities are available at post offices. Hotels will dispatch cables for their guests and most operate telex and facsimile facilities.

Air mail service

  Air mail service between the United States and Saudi Arabia takes up to ten days. Between Europe and Saudi Arabia the mail takes from four to seven days. All correspondents must put the proper postage on envelopes. Less than the proper amount of postage will result in the mail going by sea, thus delaying its deliver indefinitely. All correspondents should put their return address on the envelope.

All mail should be addressed to your project location in Saudi Arabia which can be obtained upon arrival or from the agent you are working with in your company.

Newspapers and magazines

There are several Arabic dailies and weeklies. The Arab News, The Riyadh Daily and The Saudi Gazette and three English language daily newspapers published locally. The Saudi Business and Arab Economic Report is an English language business-orientated weekly. Visitors can easily find a wide range of European and American newspapers, magazines and books in hotels, bookshops and newsstands.

Radio

Television

Saudi television is broadcast throughout the Kingdom and is available at all of the facilities. Saudi broadcasting occurs over two channels: channel I is an Arabic language station and channel II is an English language station, providing full-length films, short features, as well as some programming from European or American television sources. Most hospitals now have satellite dish connections featuring channels like CNN, BBC, Star Entertainment and others.

Throughout the Kingdom there are video tapes which provide current movies, sports events, etc. Most expatriates invest in a video deck in order to enjoy this pastime.

Shopping and leisure

In all of the major cities there are numerous supermarkets, food stores, clothing and appliance shops, and a wide range of electronic centers to serve the expatriate. In addition, excellent restaurants serve a variety of international foods enjoyed by all nationalities.

Short holidays

Many expatriate employees plan on taking a short holiday (R & R) about midway through their contract year. In close proximity to Saudi Arabia are a number of excellent vacation spots, including Jordan, Cyprus, Turkey and Egypt, Greece and a number of Gulf State countries. Flights and accommodation are readily available. The company's travel agent can be of assistance in arranging your travel needs.