Saudi Arabia Ranked 13th Easiest Place to do Business in the World

DUBAI, UAE, September 20, 2010 - The World Bank recently released a report which ranked Saudi Arabia as
the 13th easiest place to do business in the world. This means that the
Kingdom is the highest rated country in the Middle East and the Arab world
for the fifth year in a row.

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The news will be welcomed by the government and investors alike, as the
country released its most recent five year plan at the beginning of this
year. The plan outlines US $385 billion of anticipated spending in the
Kingdom between 2010 - 2014. While a large portion of the budget is dedicated
to manpower development (human resources and employment initiatives), other
important areas of the country's infrastructure will benefit from the plan.

Over 15% of the budget has been dedicated to transport,
telecommunications, municipal services and construction. Saudi Arabia's drive
to improve its transportation infrastructure is evident as seen in the US$
6.4 billion dedicated to the sector in the 2010 budget alone. Urban
transportation is of particular importance to the various municipalities and
government authorities and the key issues related to this sector in Saudi
Arabia will be discussed at the Saudi Urban Transportation Forum 2011 in
January next year (www.saudiurbantransportation.com)

Already the country's first metro is operational and almost complete in
Makkah after opening earlier this year. More metro and light rail projects
have already been proposed for Riyadh, Jeddah and the King Abdullah Financial
District to complement the strategic plans of the Ministry of Municipalities
and Rural Affairs and the Arriyadh and Jeddah Development Authorities.

The huge economic city developments will also require extensive
transportation networks both locally and internationally. Hundreds of
kilometres of roads, as well as inner city road and public transportation
networks for the cities themselves will be necessary to deliver those
ambitious projects.

These and other regional and international case studies will be discussed
at IQPC's Saudi Urban Transportation Forum 2011 (
www.saudiurbantransportation.com/Event.aspx?id=367502), which is
taking place in Riyadh from 29 January - 1 February. Developed in association
with the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs, the Forum will bring
together industry leaders and key decision makers from Saudi ministries and
development authorities and other transportation bodies throughout the GCC.

About IQPC Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations
solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry
solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a
formidable reputation for quality and value. The world's most progressive
companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has
connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

    For more information, please contact

    Olivia Modisakeng
    LSE Marketing Manager
    IQPC Middle East
    +971-4-360-2814

Olivia Modisakeng, LSE Marketing Manager, IQPC Middle East, +971-4-360-2814