IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC,
ISO, ITU, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO (applicant)

Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission: Ambassador BANDAR bin Sultan Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037
telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, and New York

US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond E. MABUS, Jr.
embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh
mailing address: American Embassy-Riyadh, Unit 61307, APO AE
09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693
telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800
FAX: [966] (1) 488-7360
consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Flag: green with large white Arabic script (that may be translated
as There is no God but God; Muhammad is the Messenger of God) above
a white horizontal saber (the tip points to the hoist side); green
is the traditional color of Islam

Economy
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Economic overview: This is a well-to-do oil-based economy with
strong government controls over major economic activities. About 40%
of GDP comes from the private sector. Economic (as well as
political) ties with the US are especially strong. The petroleum
sector accounts for roughly 75% of budget revenues, 35% of GDP, and
90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia has the largest reserves of
petroleum in the world (26% of the proved total), ranks as the
largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. For
the 1990s the government intends to bring its budget, which has been
in deficit since 1983, back into balance, and to encourage private
economic activity. Roughly four million foreign workers play an
important role in the Saudi economy, for example, in the oil and
banking sectors. For over a decade, Saudi Arabia's domestic and
international outlays have outstripped its income, and the
government has cut its foreign assistance and is beginning to rein
in domestic programs. For 1996, the country looks to its policies of
maintaining moderate fiscal reforms, restraining public spending,
and encouraging non-oil exports.

GDP: purchasing power parity - $189.3 billion (1995 est.)

GDP real growth rate: 0% (1995 est.)

GDP per capita: $10,100 (1995 est.)

GDP composition by sector:
agriculture: 9%
industry: 50%
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