By NewsGram Staff Writer

Veliyapeediakal Mohammed Ali, a Jeddah-based Indian businessman, plans to build two 100-bed hospitals in Saudi Arabia at a cost of 200 million Saudi Riyals. He further aims to expand his operations to Bahrain by setting up a 150-bed hospital.

Ali, who has been an investor in Saudi Arabia for the last 10 years, is also the first foreign investor to win a Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) license for opening a hospital in the Saudi Arabia.

He plans to open the two 100-bed hospitals in Ghulail district of Jeddah and Batha district of Riyadh.

"I have bought the land and completed the required procedures for the Saudi projects. If I get the approval today from the ministry and municipality, I am ready to finish the work in less than two years," said Ali, Managing Director of Jeddah National Hospital (JNH).

"Many Indians and other foreigners are interested to implement investment projects in the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia)," Ali told Arab News.

"Most of these investors do not know the rules and regulations. SAGIA should appoint an official to guide them how to complete their paper work quickly," he added.

Meanwhile, the Jeddah National Hospital chief claimed that it was difficult to get qualified Saudi staff in the medical field.