Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JEDDAH227
2006-03-21 08:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:  

CG'S DISCUSSION WITH ALIREZA BUSINESSMEN

Tags:  KISL KWMN PREL SA 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHDE
DE RUEHJI #0227/01 0800820
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 210820Z MAR 06
FM AMCONSUL JEDDAH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8935
INFO RUEHZM/GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1315
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1387
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH PRIORITY 6287
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000227 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI;
PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2015
TAGS: KISL KWMN PREL SA
SUBJECT: CG'S DISCUSSION WITH ALIREZA BUSINESSMEN

REF: A. 05 JEDDAH 3997 B. JEDDAH 128

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JEDDAH 000227

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

RIYADH, PLEASE PASS TO DHAHRAN; DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI;
PARIS FOR ZEYA; LONDON FOR TSOU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/13/2015
TAGS: KISL KWMN PREL SA
SUBJECT: CG'S DISCUSSION WITH ALIREZA BUSINESSMEN

REF: A. 05 JEDDAH 3997 B. JEDDAH 128

Classified By: Consul General Tatiana Gfoeller,
for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) On March 13, Consul General and Pol/Econ Chief met at
Xenel Industries with Executive Director Sheikh Khaled
Alireza, his son and Managing Director, Aamer and General
Manager and American citizen David Joury. Khaled Alireza
told CG that Xenel is producing a television public service
announcement condemning extremism and terrorism. Alireza
also described Xenel Industries efforts to promote
women-owned small businesses and women artisans. Xenel is
preparing to issue a company sexual harassment policy.

XENEL INDUSTRIES AND THE ALIREZA FAMILY


2. (C) On March 13, Consul General and Pol/Econ Chief
visited the headquarters of Xenel Industries. Xenel is the
corporate successor of one of the oldest trading houses in
the Middle East. The Alireza's are unusual among Arab
merchant families because of their Iranian origin. The
family became established in Jeddah in the mid-19th century
when Xenel Alireza formed a trading company in Jeddah.
Through successful ventures and partnerships the company
prospered and incorporated as Xenel Industries in 1973.
Today, the corporation consists of a number of companies
operating in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Singapore, and the
United States. Its businesses include radar systems, air
traffic control installations, cable networking systems,
import and export of bulk materials, health care, electrical
power generation, construction, oil and gas exploration, and
real estate development. They are major partners in the King
Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) project. Marwan Alireza
manages the U.S. based sister-company. Mohammed Alireza is
the Chairman. Another member of the family, Abdullah Zainal
Alireza is Minister of State and a senior adviser to King
Abdullah. The family is linked by marriage to the Zahid and
Bin Laden Families. Many of the family were educated in the
United States, including no less than 14 who attended the
University of California, Berkeley.

XENAL'S PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN CONDEMNING TERRORISM


3. (C) Alireza informed the CG that Xenel is producing a
public service announcement condemning terrorism and
religious extremism that will be televised in coming weeks.
Immediately after the terrorist attacks in 2001, Xenel was
the first Saudi company to place announcements in newspapers
denouncing the attacks. Alireza believes that in
controversial times, it is important to repeat the message
against extremism. They hope that this television message
will have wider reach.

XENEL INSTRUCTS ALL EMPLOYEES IN PROPER BEHAVIOR BETWEEN SEXES


4. (C) In other portions of the conversation relating to
women and economic development, Alireza described some of the
activities Xenel sponsors to prepare and support women in
business. He reminisced that at one time, Xenel employed
more than 12,000 women in its health care and medical
facilities until it was forced to dismiss them, because
religious authorities objected to the interaction of the
sexes. However, Xenel once again employs a substantial
number of women in its administrative operations. The CG was
introduced to a number of them, who are employed in the
headquarters building. Unlike many large businesses
employing women, Xenel does not segregate women from men.
General Manager David Joury informed the CG that this week
Xenel would release a written company-wide policy covering
sexual harassment. This is apparently a first for a Saudi
company and a very important step in smoothing work-place
relationships between the sexes. As noted in earlier cables
(reftels) and media reports, since men and women are
separated from childhood, the sexes simply do not know how to
deal with each other.

XENEL PROMOTING WOMEN'S BUSINESSES


5. (C) The Alirezas continued by describing some of their
efforts to foster women owned Small and Medium-Sized
Businesses (SME's) outside the company. Khaled Alireza
observed it was important, not only for the Saudi economy,

JEDDAH 00000227 002 OF 002


but for his company to encourage the development of small
businesses. It is from these SME's that his company hires
experienced, capable employees, thus furthering Saudization.
Xenel provides seed-money and financing to groups and
individuals, including women, who present an attractive
business idea. Alireza stressed that the company makes a
particular effort to encourage women artisans to start
businesses. He also cited the example of a women
university-graduate whom they sent to England for business
training. This woman now runs a prosperous public relations
firm in Jeddah.
Gfoeller