Riyadh (SPA)- The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session at Al-Yamamah Palace here yesterday.
At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the consultations, contacts and meetings that took place during the past few days with a number of leaders of brotherly and friendly countries and their envoys on the latest developments in the region and the world, including his meetings with the Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak, the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman of the Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, and the Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Bashir who visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The King briefed the Cabinet on the message he received from Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh as well as the meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Afghanistan's Second Vice-President Abdul Karim Khalili.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of reports on the developments at Arab, Islamic and international arenas, stressing the Kingdom's position on them.
In the domestic affairs, Dr. Khojah said that the Cabinet discussed the economic activities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the issuance of the State Budget for the fiscal year 2010. The budget took into account the needs of the national economy and ensured the enhancement of sustainable development in the Kingdom. The Cabinet praised the new developmental programs and projects included in the budget as well as the additional phases of a number of projects previously approved at a cost of about  SR 260 billion.
The Minister of Culture and Information said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques urged once again the Princes and Ministers to strictly implement the programs and projects included in the budget.
Dr. Khojah also said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of economic, scientific and cultural activities and events held in the Kingdom over the past few days.
The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet discussed a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions:
The Cabinet authorized the Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister (or his deputy) to discuss with the concerned authorities of other states a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the exchange of financial intelligence on money laundering and terrorist financing; and sign it.
The Cabinet approved a draft model agreement of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other governments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall report to the Cabinet on any State in which the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance recommend invest.
The Minister of Culture and Information said that the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques urged once again the princes and ministers to strictly implement the programs and projects included in the budget.
Dr. Khojah also said that the Cabinet reviewed a number of economic, scientific and cultural activities and events held in the Kingdom over the past few days.
The Minister of Culture and Information said the Cabinet discussed a number of issues on its agenda and issued the following decisions:
The Cabinet authorized the Second Deputy Premier and Interior Minister (or his deputy) to discuss with the concerned authorities of other states a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the exchange of financial intelligence on money laundering and terrorist financing; and sign it.
The Cabinet approved a draft model agreement of cooperation in the fields of agriculture, livestock and fisheries between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other governments. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall report to the Cabinet on any State in which the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance recommend invest.
The Cabinet approved a number of controls and procedures as regards granting citizens residential lands in order to facilitate obtaining houses.
The Cabinet approved the formation of the Board of Directors of Makkah Development and Urban Regeneration Company for a period of three years.
The Cabinet approved the restructuring of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company for a period of three years as of 08/02/1431 AH. The Cabinet also approved a number of appointments in the fourteenth rank.