By P.K. ABDUL GHAFOUR | ARAB NEWS
JEDDAH: The Council of Ministers on Monday endorsed the general objectives of the Ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2010-2015) that focuses on human rights, education, national security, sustained progress and balanced development of regions.
The weekly Cabinet meeting at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, also decided to expand specialized medical services and activate the National Committee for Construction Code.
Spelling out the 13-point objectives of the development plan, Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said it would work to improve the living standards of all citizens and create more opportunities for them to gain education and training.
The five-year plan also aims to strengthen national unity, achieve sustained social and economic development, diversify the country’s economic base, increase its competitive capabilities and develop the Kingdom into a knowledge economy.
“The Kingdom will continue its economic, social and institutional reforms and upgrade rules and regulations to improve performance and efficiency and enforce the principles of transparency and accountability,” said Khoja while explaining the plan’s objectives.
During the next five years, the government will also support NGOs and other civilian organizations to strengthen their activities. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be given greater support in order for them to contribute more to the GDP. Efforts will also be made to bolster economic integration with GCC states and boost cooperation with other countries.
Other objectives are: Development of the Two Holy mosques and improvement of services for pilgrims; strengthening the private sector’s role in economic and social development; expanding areas for domestic and foreign investment; enhancement of public-private sector partnership; and development and protection of natural resources including water.
Khoja said the Cabinet adopted a number of measures regarding citizens’ medical treatment abroad. Firstly, specialized medical services would be made available at government hospitals in different parts of the country.
Secondly, the Cooperative Health Insurance Council will study the cases of such citizens and make sure they get health insurance for treatment abroad. Thirdly, Kingdom’s missions abroad would provide Saudis with necessary guidance so that they receive treatment at the best hospitals.
While reviewing the resolutions adopted by the 12th International Energy Forum, which was held in Mexico last week, the Cabinet emphasized the Kingdom’s support for continuous dialogue between producers and consumers to ensure adequate energy supply.
Khoja said Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf has been authorized to sign an agreement with Vietnam to avoid double taxation and prevent tax evasion. Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi will sign another accord with Vietnam for cooperation in petroleum, gas and minerals, he added.
Referring to the National Committee for Construction Code, Khoja said it would be based at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and will be reporting to the minister. The central unit for construction code at the ministry will follow the decisions taken by the ministry regarding construction code.
The meeting appointed Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairy, Khaled bin Ibrahim Al-Khayyal, Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Ajlan and Suleiman bin Dawood Al-Doraiwish, ministers plenipotentiary at the Foreign Ministry, and Abdullatif bin Saleh Al-Abdullatif, administrative adviser at the Cabinet’s general secretariat.
Arab News
