Jeddah, SPA:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet's session at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday afternoon.
At the outset of the session, the King welcomed Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy's joining the Cabinet, wishing him all success.
The King briefed the Cabinet on the two messages received from Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, and President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, and the results of his talks with President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d'Ivoire, during which they reviewed ways of developing and strengthening cooperation between the two countries in various fields and efforts aiming to enhance security and stability in the region and the world.
Minister of Media Turki bin Abdullah Al-Shabanah said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet discussed a number of issues related to events and latest developments at Arab, regional and international arenas. The Cabinet stressed the Kingdom's speech at the United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, reaffirming the Kingdom's standing with the Palestinian people and providing them with all means of support to achieve their legitimate rights to build their independent state on 1967 borders with Jerusalem (AlQuds) as its capital according to internationally recognized principles and the Arab Peace Initiative.
On the Yemeni issue, the Cabinet commended the joint statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and its affirmation of the response of the legitimate government and the Transitional Council to the Kingdom's call for dialogue, stressing the need to continue this positive atmosphere, show the spirit of fraternity renounce division and emphasize the two countries' continuing support for the legitimate government in its efforts to preserve the components of the Yemeni state and defeat the Iranian project, the Houthi militia and terrorist organizations in Yemen.
The Cabinet welcomed the formation of the transitional government in the Republic of Sudan, considering it as a step affirming the will of brothers in the Republic of Sudan and their keenness on the interest of Sudan, maintaining its security, safety and stability, and achieving the aspirations of its people.
The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation and denunciation of the suicide attack and terrorist bombing that targeted a residential compound and a checkpoint in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Cabinet expressed condolences and sympathy to the victims' families and the Government and people of Afghanistan, wishing the injured a speedy recovery, renewing the Kingdom's stand and solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan against violence, terrorism and extremism.
The Minister said that the Cabinet commended economic indicators contained in the 55th annual report of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, which reviewed economic and financial developments in the Kingdom during 2018, stressing that the positive developments in the Kingdom's economy in 2018 were the result of the Kingdom's following balanced economic policies.
The Cabinet welcomed the International Monetary Fund Article IV Consultation report praising the tangible progress being made by the Kingdom to support diversification of the economy, inclusive growth, job creation and continued implementation of reforms aimed at strengthening the legal framework and improving the business climate, through the implementation of many planned structural reforms according to the programs to achieve the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
The Cabinet appreciated security efforts of the General Directorate of Narcotics Control in tracking down the activities of criminal networks that are involved in the production and smuggling of narcotic substances to the Kingdom, praising in this regard the Directorate's efforts to thwart attempts to smuggle nearly 33 million amphetamine tablets during the months of Ramadan, Shawwal and Dhu Al-Qidah in 1440 AH.
The Cabinet issued the following decisions:
First:
The Cabinet approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of Islamic Affairs and Endowments
It also approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Guinea in the field of Islamic Affairs and Endowments.
Two royal decrees have been prepared in this regard.
Second:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Foreign Affairs, or his deputy, to discuss with the Ghanaian side a draft memorandum of understanding on political consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Ghana, sign it and then submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Third:
The Cabinet approved the following:
1 - Memorandum of scientific and educational cooperation between the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Iraq.
2. Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the field of education between the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Iraq.
Two royal decrees have been prepared.
Fourth:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of tourism between Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment of the Republic of Albania.
A royal decree has been prepared.
Fifth:
The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Environment and Water and Agriculture - the Chairman of Saline Water Conversion Corporation Board of Directors, or his deputy, to discuss with the Chinese side a draft memorandum of understanding between the Saline Water Conversion Corporation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Seawater Desalination and multi-Use Research Institute in the People's Republic of China in the field of desalination of sea water, sign it and then submit the final version to complete formal procedures.
Sixth:
The Cabinet reconstituted the committee of the Patents, Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, Plant Varieties and Industrial Models to be chaired by Dr. Abdulhameed bin Abdullah Al-Harqn and membership of Dr. Abdullah bin Hussein Al-Shehri, Dr. Abdullatif bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Ahmed Al-Majid and Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulkarim.
Seventh:
The Cabinet approved a number of arrangements including:
1- Approving the formula of privatizing Saline Water Conversion Corporation.
2- Establishing a government-owned company for water conversion and techniques operating on a commercial basis to provide water transportation and technical services.
Eighth:
The Cabinet decided appointed Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Saeed, Dr. Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Farhan and Dr. Thabit bin Safar Al-Tehrani as members of the Board of Directors of the National Center for the Development of Vegetation and Combating Desertification.
Ninth:
The Cabinet appointed Dr. Awed bin Metairie Al-Johana, Dr. Mohammed bin Haslam Sheba and Dr. Mohammed Khalid Al-Saadian as members of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Wildlife Development.
Tenth:
The Cabinet appointed Dr. Mansour bin Attiyah Al-Mazrouaee, Dr. Bader bin Huthaith Al-Harbi and Shaher bin Abdulhameed Al-Hazmi as members of the board of directors of the National Center for Meteorology.
Eleventh:
The Cabinet approved that in case of injury or death of a military personnel enjoying salary scale of the military health posts, which is subject to the provisions of article (18) and paragraph (b) of article (20) of the military pension system issued by Royal Decree No. (M / 24) dated on 5/4/1395H, or Royal Order No. (A/111) dated on 5/5/1424H, will be promoted to the upper rank, and settled a pension on the basis of the highest degree in the level above the level in the salary of military health posts.
Twelfth:
The Cabinet accredited a final account of King Fahd Causeway Authority for a previous fiscal year.
Thirteenth:
The Cabinet approved a number of promotions as well as a position of minister plenipotentiary as follows:
1- Hisham bin Fahd bin Mohammed Al-Bishr is promoted to the post of Agricultural Advisor (14th Rank) at the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
2- Eng. Saad bin Sameer Falih Al-Harbi is promoted to the post of Director General of Water (14th Rank) at the General Directorate of Water Services in Qassim Region.
3- Khalid bin Mohammed bin Khalil Al-Manzalawi is promoted to the post of Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Cabinet reviewed various general topics, on its agenda, including two annual reports of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs Ministry and Ministry of Civil Service for a previous fiscal year. The Cabinet discussed them and issued recommendations, in their regard.