Saudi Market Research Articles

Innovating Contemporary Designs Inspired by Traditional Jewelry Saudi Heritage

Studying the heritage of a country has become a scientific necessity imposed by the tremendous progress that we are living in today, as heritage is today the present and future of nations that preserves their identity and increases their originality. An integral part of a woman's adornment that carries her culture and expresses her social level, in the past and present.Where the researcher sheds light: on the heritage jewelry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and how to use it as a legacy that inspires designers to create contemporary jewelry characterized by the spirit of originality, the research problem lies in: the lack of interest in the field of Saudi heritage jewelry, and the lack of use of it to inspire jewelry designs with a contemporary Saudi identity. Where the jewelry and jewelry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a fertile field for inspiration for many innovative designs, the researcher indicated that the lack of interest appears in the fact that most of the modern designs in the Saudi market are international designs and we lack our heritage designs in a contemporary way. Thus, you assume that the Saudi heritage of traditional jewelry is a source of inspiration for designing contemporary jewelry. Objective: The affirmation of our pride in our national identity and our pride in our cultural heritage thus achieves one of the most important goals of Vision 2030 and our awareness of preserving, highlighting and introducing it to future generations. Contemporary jewelry and jewelry, thus enriching the local and international culture by spreading the thought and culture of the Saudi society in the field of jewelry and jewelry in a contemporary style. Methodology: The researcher used the descriptive approach: to define some of the heritage jewelry in the middle of the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the central region (Najd) and analyze it to find out its most important characteristics and what distinguishes it from other traditional jewelry to come up with contemporary jewelry designs. The applications: dealing with heritage jewelry and utilizing it in designing contemporary jewelry inspired by the analyzed heritage jewelry and using the Matrix and Photoshop program for design. Results: The need to pay attention to Saudi heritage jewelry, as it is one of the cultural heritage aspects of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. And that the use of modern technology programs in jewelry design helps creativity and come up with contemporary and innovative designs. The diversity of the traditional jewelry of the Najd region helped the researcher to create jewelry with a new idea of ​​modern designs.

Relational key account management: insights from the Middle Eastern context

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore relational aspects of key account management (KAM) in terms of social capital and relationship quality. The second objective was to identify the main dimensions that shape social capital and relationship quality within the KAM context. Finally, the third objective was to explore how relational KAM is practiced in the Middle Eastern context.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a qualitative methodology and a multiple case design. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with a sample of senior executives from large Saudi firms.FindingsThe results highlight the importance of relationship quality and social capital to KAM implementation. A multiple case study was used to build a relational framework for KAM in the Middle Eastern context.Practical implicationsThree strategies were identified for use within the context of KAM in the Saudi market. The first strategy consisted of a means of attracting potential customers. The second strategy involved communication, aimed at maintaining frequent contact with key accounts. Finally, the third strategy was concentrated in maintenance to help sustain the relationship with key accounts.Originality/valueThis study extends understanding and the application of KAM to the Middle Eastern context, contributing to social capital, relationship quality and the KAM literature.

القدرة التنافسية للفراولة المصرية فى السوق العالمى

The research targeted the competitive-ness of strawberry crop exports, the geo-graphical distribution of strawberry exports to determine the most important imported markets, and the competitiveness of Egyptian strawberry exports in the most important foreign markets. About 85.7% of the average amount of Egyptian straw-berry exports during the period (2014-2019) the most important of these coun-tries are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Belgium, Germany and Iraq, where their market is absorbed 19.64, 7, 6.8, 6.2, 4.5, 1,000 tons, and about 27%, 9.6%, 9.4%, 9.1%, 6.3%, from the average total amount of Egyptian exports of strawberries during the study period is about 41.08 thousand tons. This means that Egypt's strawberry exports Have not enjoy a competitive advantage in the global markets, where the value of the competitive advantage index was about 6.82 million during the first period (2001-2009),and 6.83 during the second period (2010-2019).The market share index showed that the market of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium Ranking the top of the list of Egyptian strawberry importers, with a market share of about 58.6%, 39.2% and 9.9% of the average total strawberry imports in those countries. The study found that Egyptian strawberries a competitive price advantage in both the Saudi market, the Belgian market and the German market compared to the most important countries competing for Egyptian strawberry exports within these Markets, the competitive advantage index of Egyptian strawberries achieved high rates in these markets compared to competing countries, explained the insta-bility factor of competition compared to the instability factor of the amount of strawberries exported to Egypt is that the average Netherlands, Spain, Italy and America are more stable, with the average instability rate in the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and America. 15.8%, 44.7%, 5.4%, 12%, show standard efficient imaging that its value was greater than zero in all years during the study period (2001-2009), the average value of about 10.2%.

A Wavelet-Based Method for the Impact of Social Media on the Economic Situation: The Saudi Arabia 2030-Vision Case

In the present paper, a wavelet method is proposed to study the impact of electronic media on economic situation. More precisely, wavelet techniques are applied versus classical methods to analyze economic indices in the market. The technique consists firstly of filtering the data from unprecise circumstances (noise) to construct next a wavelet denoised contingency table. Next, a thresholding procedure is applied to such a table to extract the essential information porters. The resulting table subject finally to correspondence analysis before and after thresholding. As a case of study, the KSA 2030-vision is considered in the empirical part based on electronic and social media. Effects of the electronic media texts about the trading 2030 vision on the Saudi and global economy has been studied. Recall that the Saudi market is the most important representative market in the GCC continent. It has both regional and worldwide influence on economies and besides, it is characterized by many political, economic and financial movements such as the worldwide economic NEOM project. The findings provided in the present paper may be applied to predict the future situation of markets in GCC region and may constitute therefore a guide for investors to decide about investing or not in these markets.

Multi-criteria decision-making framework for selecting sustainable private partners for housing projects

PurposeThis paper aims to develop a framework for the selection of private partners in the housing industry of Saudi Arabia under the scheme of the partnership between the public and private sectors.Design/methodology/approachBy investigating criteria from a comprehensive literature review and experts input through surveys, developing further surveys incorporating decision-making methods: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) to construct a framework for selection based on weightages and utilities.FindingsThe results identified criteria categorized under four categories: financial (C1), technical (C2), managerial (C3) and safety/environment (C4) and their sub-criteria. The study found that the main criteria were relatively close to each other in importance based on the subjective input of the experts with the technical and safety/environment criteria tying equally with 27% followed by the managerial with 24% and trailed by the financial with 22%.Research limitations/implicationsThe study and surveys were conducted for the Saudi market and the experts were within the country.Originality/valueThe study contributes to the Saudi housing initiative which is a part of the 2030 Vision and provides insight to international investors who would be willing to invest in the Saudi market; and to the literature as there is a notable lack of study on public-private partnership in housing in Saudi Arabia.

Are herding transmissions in the gulf cooperation council stock markets regional or international?

PurposeThe authors aim to assess whether herding in GCC stock markets is more responsive to global dynamics than its response to regional developments. To do so, they use the largest equity market in the region which is Saudi Arabia as the benchmark, and then they examine if herding crosses from this large regional market to the rest of equities in the neighboring markets during various time periods. To compare the importance of global influences on herding, the authors investigate and compare the impact of the information flow from the US equity market on the herding of equities in the GCC markets.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate herding in GCC markets the authors use the relationship between the squared market return and the cross-section absolute deviation that does not covary with market styles and/or fundamentals. In order to do that we follow Galariotis et al. (2015) and account for four styles: market-oriented, small-cap, value and momentum. As these factors have been shown to be associated with the economic fundamentals, filtering the covariance of deviation with these factors is expected to remove the style and the fundamental herding influence from the value of the dispersion.FindingsThe results show significant herding behavior that persists across various independent periods. This evidence stands even when the authors control for the well- known factor structures in stock returns. Importantly, the authors find that the few herding crossovers that occurred during the sample period are more likely to originate from the Saudi market rather than from the US. Therefore, the authors conclude that behavioral inefficiencies in the GCC equity markets are likely to be regional and that the sentiment-based trading in the US has essentially a minimal role to play.Practical implicationsThe empirical findings are useful for policymakers who aim at preventing market manipulation in order to preserve the integrity of financial markets. Policymakers in the GCC should disclose more information to aid investors so they do not rely on other investors' trades. The portfolio managers should be aware that the correlation of GCC equities can be higher in the short term due to common market herding in these countries. As the US market does not play an important role in triggering behavioral irrationalities in these markets, investing in GCC equities is a good hedge in a US portfolio. Finally, the results have also important implications for active funds that aim to exploit short-term trending in markets in order to enhance performance.Originality/valueThe authors’ contribution in this paper is to investigate herding in GCC markets by using the relationship between the squared market return and the cross-section absolute deviation that does not covary with market styles and/or fundamentals. Another contribution of our paper is to investigate any cross herding from the Saudi market to the rest of the markets in the area. The previous literature on GCC equity market herding is silent on this issue and it is typically restricted to the level of the single market.

Comparative Analysis of the Heavy Metals Content in Selected Colored Cosmetic Products at Saudi Market.

Heavy metal impurities in cosmetics are common due to their natural abundance. However, they should be kept to a minimum wherever technically feasible. Although human external contact with a substance rarely results in a significant systemic exposure, local exposure to cosmetics may pose a risk of heavy metal contamination. In this study, we sought to investigate the heavy metal concentration present in various cosmetic products from different brands and qualities that are available in the Saudi Market, also to analyze and compare the determined values relative to the reported permissible levels according to international standards. In this study, we have selected several facial cosmetics from the Saudi market and classified their quality into three main classifications based on their price. This was followed by an analysis and reporting of heavy metal content using an inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer. We found that three metals were below the permissible limits (Pb, As, and Cd) for cosmetics according to the Saudi Food and Drug Administration and Canadian Standards, besides (Cr) which was also below the limit of the United States Food and Drug Administration. The level of (Ni) exceeded the recommended range in the three-class classifications. On contrary, Pb, Cr, As, and Cd have all exceeded the acceptable levels based on European standards. Further assessment and careful selection of heavy metals content in cosmetics are urgently needed, as there are fluctuations in values between different international standards which might pose a potential harmful effect to human health from the daily use of cosmetics containing heavy metals impurities.

Реформирование саудовской экономики: итоги и перспективы

Received 09.10.2020. The era of oil-based prosperity, which began after the discovery of huge reserves of “black gold” in the Kingdom in 1938 and turned Saudi Arabia from a backward country with an agrarian economy into the most financially and economically powerful Arab state, may end in the foreseeable future. The previous model of development has exhausted itself, the signs of political and socio-economic stagnation have clearly appeared. Barriers to dynamic, balanced and long-term socio-economic development created a threat not only to keep the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia lagging behind the group of developed countries, but to reach the point of no return in this lag and, most likely, increase it. This article focuses on defining the main directions of the positive changes that have begun, identifying problems that have arisen with the achievement of the intended goals. Based on the analysis of the original Saudi materials, the author tried to assess the main trends of change, to determine the trajectories of the key macroeconomic indicators, to reveal the attitude of broad strata of Saudi society in relation to social and economic changes. The forecast part assesses the possible consequences for the socio-economic development of the kingdom of accelerating the process of decarbonization of the world economy, strengthening economic isolationism at the country and regional levels. As for the prospects for Russian economic participation in the implementation of “Vision 2030”, domestic businesses will have to conduct an intense search for their trade and technological niches in the Saudi market. At present, it makes sense, based on an in-depth analysis of Russian capabilities and past failures in the formation of modern Russian-Saudi relations, to propose competitive, well-developed projects–initiatives to the leaders of the KSA, taking into account the programs included in the “Vision 2030”.

GC-MS analysis of Adulterants in Captagon Tablet

In secret laboratories various synthetic or semi-synthetic amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are produced and processed. Stimulants of the form of amphetamine (ATS) are the second most common illegal drugs used worldwide, following cannabis. ATS production has increased worldwide, particularly from the Middle East. Fenethylline (CaptagonTM), a derivative of amphetamine, is commonly marketed as a street drug. Objective: this research aimed at applying gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC / MS) for fenethylline profiling of confiscated samples from the Saudi market. Methodology: The study of GC / MS was conducted on a general-purpose column (30 mm 0.25 mm i.d) filled with 0.25 mm cross bond, 5% diphenyl dimethyl polysiloxane (Rtx-5MS). The mass was worked in the process of impacting the electron. Results and discussion: Analyzed samples showed positive results for amphetamine in concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 43.02 percent of the substance in 60 percent of the samples. Caffeine was also present in 60 per cent of the samples at levels between 0.61 and 60.31 per cent. In the MS of the other active compounds were recorded in different proportions. Lastly, the presence of other substances in fenethylline samples may contribute to intoxication.

Lack of Reform Effect on Exchange Efficiency- Empirical Evidence from Saudi Market Index –

As development of financial markets has been a growing issue after the financial crisis 2008, this paper has tested efficiency on one of the largest emerging securities markets in the world. It examines lack of reform impact on efficiency of Saudi stock exchange (TASI index) employing random walk hypothesis (RWH) through a battery of parametric and nonparametric tests including autocorrelations, unit root, variance ratio (VR) and Brock, Dechert, and Scheinkman (BDS) test.The study specifically aims to test weak form efficiency before and after massive efforts implemented to reform Saudi exchange. Findings have concluded in a consensus verdict that there is no change observed in TASI index behaviour, and hence it rejected to be a weak-form efficient market. Thus, policy makers and regulators should initiate further reforms; deep regulations and reorganization development to address inefficiency.

The affect of investor sentiment on the return and risk of financial assets (A comparative analytical study)

The study deals with the impact of investor emotion with two Stock markets in Middle East, which are the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and the Iraqi financial market. The research covered three sectors for each market (banking sector, industry sector, telecommunications sector) using financial variables (trading volume, market value, turnover rate) for the period from 2013-2018 for monthly data. The results showed that investor emotion has an of importance impact on returns and varies in intensity across the stock market and according to the available information and the type of investors. As the descriptive analysis of the markets was explained and showed the dominance of the Saudi market, the trends were measured for each sector using the multiple regression equation for the three indicators, and there was a variation in the impact of investor sentiments from one market to another. As the study showed the predominance of negative sentiment in the Iraqi stock market and positive sentiment in the Saudi financial market. The amount of risk (beta) was shown by using the simple regression equation between sector returns and total rate returns, and the solution showed a huge risk in the Saudi market (Tadawul) as well as the lowest risk Iraqi financial market.

Consumers’ Knowledge and Perception towards Organic Foods: A Cross-Sectional Study

Aims: This study was conducted to investigate the consumer perception towards organic foods in the Saudi market and to scrutinize factors influencing the purchasing decision.
 Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, between February 2020 and May 2020.
 Methodology: We included 406 Saudi adults from both genders. A valid and reliable questionnaire was distributed in different regions. Data were statistically analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software.
 Results: Results showed that 71.40% of participants consume organic foods with insignificant differences among regions, genders, education levels or health status. Participants above 50 years old reported significantly higher consumption (p<0.05). Moreover, 87% of the participants who were not purchasing organic foods showed future eagerness to buy these foods and were willing to pay up to 100% price increase. The major drives to buy or consume organic foods were consumers’ health perception (43.86%), nutritive primacy (22.35%), sensory attributes (12.69%) and environmental friendly characteristics (6.66%) of these foods. The major limiting factors, however, were the higher prices (50%) and limited availability (30%).
 Conclusion: Saudi consumers are knowledgeable about organic foods and are keen to include them in their shopping lists. Organic farming should be encouraged for an adequate availability and reasonable prices of such foods in the local markets.

The effects of global factors on the Saudi Arabia equity market by firm size: Implications for risk management based on quantile analysis and frequency domain causality

We investigate the effect of major global factors—crude oil, gold, silver, the S&P 500 Index, the United States (US) Dollar Index and US Treasuries—and a psychological barrier on the Saudi Arabian equity market. We consider various firm sizes to account for different potential sensitivities to the global factors. We use the quantile approach, which covers the entire distribution of the dependent variable, unlike previous studies that focus on the conditional mean only. We conduct the frequency domain causality test to disentangle the contagion and interdependence effects. Overall, the quantile analysis results demonstrate that crude oil, the S&P 500 Index and silver positively affect the Saudi equity market, while the appreciation of the US Dollar Index negatively affects the market. US Treasuries asymmetrically influence the Saudi market—they have a positive effect in high market conditions (75th–90th quantiles), but a negative effect in low market conditions (10th–25th quantiles). The psychological barrier affects the Saudi market when the oil price commands or exceeds US$100 per barrel across different firm sizes. Our findings are sensitive to firm size and across quantiles, which offers vital implications for investors, market participants and policymakers.

ISSUES THAT MATTER WHEN BEHAVIORAL FINANCE FACTORS DRIVE THE LARGEST INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING IN THE SAUDI FINANCIAL MARKET

Behavioral financing is an emerging science and a relatively new area for academic research, leveraging investors’ irrational behavior. To a certain degree, most investment decisions are affected by investors’ biases and expectations, which do not follow rationality requirements. This study rigorously investigated a group of behavioral financial factors—optimism, pessimism, overconfidence, herd behavior, and loyalty—and firm characteristics, and then it examined whether and to what extent behavioral financial factors drive investors’ behaviors about the largest initial public offerings (IPOs). This study employed structural equation modelling and used a representative survey of 353 investors during the IPO of Saudi Aramco. The study found that the factors that stimulated investors in the Saudi market, especially during the Aramco IPO behavior decision, included behavioral finance factors, such as optimism, overconfidence, loyalty, and herd behavior, while firm characteristics failed to shape investors’ decisions during Aramco’s IPO.

Development and validation of a high performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection method for estrogen determination: Application to residual analysis in meat products

AbstractIn this work, an HPLC-DAD method was developed for the residual analysis of some estrogens such as estrone (E1), 17-β estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), natural estrogens, and 17-α ethinylestradiol (E4), an exoestrogen, in meat samples of different categories (chicken, n = 155, beef, n = 124, sheep, n = 122, and camels, n = 40), collected from the Saudi Market. Although banned, the use of E4 as a growth promoter in the black market is still encountered. Symmetry C18 column (3.5 µm, 4.6 mm × 150 mm) was used with a mobile phase consisting of 50% aqueous acetonitrile. Protein precipitation with acetonitrile was used for the sample preparation. The method was fully validated, as per the ICH guidelines, in the concentration ranges of 0.35–125 µg/g (E1, E2), 0.188–125 µg/g (E3), and 0.188–450 µg/g (E4). The method allowed the trace analysis of estrogens with LOD values of 0.094 (E3, E4) and 0.126 µg/g (E1, E2), and LOQ values of 0.188 (E3, E4) and 0.350 µg/g (E1, E2). The analyzed samples contained different levels of estrogens. Within the same category, processed products contained the highest levels of E4, while the internal organs contained the least estrogen content. Finally, the estimated daily intake, µg/kg bw/day, of estrogens through the consumption of meat-based food products was calculated.

OPECmeetings, oil market volatility and herding behaviour in the Saudi Arabia stock market

AbstractWe investigate the influence of oil market volatility and hand‐picked OPEC meetings data on herding tendency in the Saudi equity market. Our results show the presence of significant herding behaviour in the Saudi market; surprisingly this herding behaviour is independent of oil market volatility. Importantly, we find herding on and around the OPEC meeting days however this is only limited to a period of high global uncertainty that is, during the Global Financial Crisis period (GFC) of 2008–2010. However, when we filter out factor‐based herding in the Saudi equities, we also find persistent herding in the post GFC period. These results are consistent when we assess the impact of OPEC meetings using event windows of one to 5 days before and after the announcement. In consideration of the crucial role of OPEC in determining the oil prices, we explain our results of Saudi market herding on and around OPEC meeting days for the prior announcement ambiguity and corrections before, on and after the announcements on global supply. Our results show that this tendency has originated during the GFC, has persisted in the post‐GFC in the Saudi equities and surprisingly, is largely found absent in the periods when the Saudi equity market witnessed bullish market conditions. Our results are robust after accounting for common factor return variations in equity returns, the unconditional and conditional estimates of the volatility in oil prices and several event windows around OPEC meeting days.

Plastic toys and child care articles as a source of children exposure to phthalates and other plasticisers in Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Phthalates are chemical compounds added to plastic materials to provide flexibility. They are used in numerous consumer products including children’s toys and child care articles. Exposure to phthalates is linked to reproductive and developmental disorders in addition to endocrine disruption effects. This study is the first to investigate the presence and levels of phthalates and other plasticisers in children’s toys and child care articles sold in the Saudi market. Twenty-seven products were obtained from local marketplaces and analysed by GC-MS for the levels of the six regulated phthalates dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-(2-ethylhexl) phthalate (DEHP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP). Other plasticisers and plastic additives were investigated qualitatively for potential risks. Overall, 19% of products tested were found to have one or more regulated phthalates exceeding the 0.1% w/w regulatory limit. All noncompliant items were made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In contrast, the 16 non-PVC items tested were compliant with regulations. Among the 11 PVC items tested, 45% were noncompliant. DEHP was detected in all 11 PVC products, with concentrations ranging from <LOQ-32.2% w/w, and with concentrations exceeding regulatory levels in 4 of 11 PVC products (36%). The other regulated phthalates detected in PVC products were DBP and DINP with amounts that ranged from <LOQ-0.275 and 0.218–14.2% w/w, respectively. Plasticisers other than the regulated ones were present in a number of products; including dioctyl isophthalate (DOIP), di(isononyl) cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylate (DINCH), methyl stearate, acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). Inexpensive children’s toys were found to be less complying with the regulations of toys safety regarding phthalates content, which may pose more risk to children.

An Economic Study on Tomatoes Export Competitiveness in Egypt

Vegetables export in general and tomatoes crop in particular are facing serious challenges in Egypt with regards to declining competitiveness in global markets in addition to some other challenges related to the ability to penetrate global markets and the variation in prices for different importing countries. This is in addition to the variation in demand conditions in importing markets. Through reviewing the competitiveness indicators for this crop. the paper shows that the quantity and value of tomato exports was highly fluctuating during the period under investigation. The lowest value was recorded in 2000 and amounted to 1.7 thousand tons. The maximum value was recorded in 2013 and amounted 74.8 thousand tons. Since then. the variable showed high fluctuation until 2018 where the quantity exported reached 41.8 thousand tons. The exporting value also was fluctuating. It reached its lowest in 2000 and amounted to 454 thousand dollars while the maximum reached around 728.7 thousand in 2015. The value decreased to 488.6 thousand in 2018 while the tomato exports also fluctuated since 2000 till 2007 and reached its maximum in 2017 with around $1513 /tons. The value showed a fluctuating trend where it reached around $1169/ton. The Saudi market dominated the market with around 37.16% of total Egyptian tomatoes exports. whether fresh or frozen. The paper also shows that the export competitiveness index for tomatoes during the mentioned period is above unity which means there is clear export competitiveness in global markets. The average index value reached around 1.33. which means that this crop is one of the very important crops that efficiently competes in the global markets.The paper finally shows the penetration parameter is weak and that there is minimal increase in this indicator. This means that there is a possibility to increase exported quantities from tomatoes through studying the reasons behind the fluctuations and design some policies and export mechanisms that can improve export competitiveness and penetration rates.

Nutrition Food Labeling in the Saudi Market between Compliance and Relaxing Policy

Background: With increased demand for prepackaged food, the nutrient content of those products has increased especially fat, sugar, and sodium. We aimed to assess the compliance of nutritional labeling and to analyze the stated nutritional components as presented on prepackaged food products in Saudi market.&#x0D; Methods: A total of 1153 foods were randomly sampled from fourteen stores. Nutritional information was taken from nutrient declarations present on food labels and assessed through a comparison of mean levels and assess compliance with Saudi Food and Drug Authority regulations.&#x0D; Results: Overall, of the total number of products surveyed, 88% displayed nutritional facts, while 12% did not. Of the total products that had nutritional facts, only 38% met SFDA requirements while 97% disclosed the four key nutritional elements (energy, carbohydrate, protein and fat). In total, almost one third of the products had a high fat content, 40% were high in sugar and 20% were high in Sodium. We found also, 20% listed hydrogenated fat in their ingredient information, 90% of which was fully hydrogenated, while 10% was partially hydrogenated.&#x0D; Conclusion: There was a high percentage of products that displayed nutritional facts, but only a small percentage complied with SFDA's recent regulations. Food reformulation could have an extraordinary potential to overcome the increase in nutrition-related chronic disease in Saudi Arabia, and the information acquired from this paper provides an overview of thinking about the food supply as a major source needed for a national intervention.

The Absorption Characteristics of Empty Water Bottles

This work examines experimentally the absorption characteristics of empty plastic water bottles. It focuses on the three common sizes of bottles widely available in the Saudi market (1500, 600 and 330 ml). Measurements were performed according to ISO 354 and ISO 9613-1 standards in the reverberation chamber. Three systematic groups of measurements were performed, each of which examined only one of the three categories. Each group included four tests with a predetermined density (number of bottles per square meter) and alignment. The impact of combining the three sizes of the bottles in one configuration was tested as well. Then, the impact of filling the best absorptive bottle with sand and the impact of the bottles’ position and alignment were investigated. Results demonstrated that water bottles are not a true Helmholtz resonator, as there is more than one resonance frequency for each category. Nevertheless, their fundamental frequencies can be predicted with a certain degree of accuracy, by applying the equation for true Helmholtz resonators. Results showed that the absorption is directly proportionate to the density and the bottle volume. Using either medium or small water bottles alone does not yield a remarkable absorption, unlike large or mixed bottles, which give the best results. Sand has almost no effect on the absorption of sound. Finally, results demonstrate that a remarkably higher level of absorption is achieved in the mid- and high-frequency ranges by placing the 1500-ml bottles onto the floor of the room at random. Although the values of the different measures of absorption are not too high, results of the combined volumes seem promising. Further investigation to improve this absorption is required.