Riyadh, SPA:
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired yesterday a Cabinet's virtual session.
At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques thanked and praised Allah Almighty for His blessings bestowed on all Muslims on the advent of the blessed holy month of Ramadan, the month of mercy, forgiveness, and emancipation from Hell, praying to Allah Almighty to help all in fasting, praying, and performing good deeds in this holy month and to eliminate all harms being caused by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus pandemic from the nation and the world.
The Cabinet praised the royal order to support the private sector and individuals and raise the health sector's readiness, including allocating SR 50 billion to expedite the payment of dues of the private sector, providing 30% discount on electricity bills for commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors, and allowing the payment of 50% of their value for industrial and commercial sectors. The royal order also included paying the minimum salaries of individuals working in passenger transport activities and rapid activation of the Cabinet’s decision, which requires that companies in which the State owns more than (51%) of their capital, to take into account the general principles and rules for offering business and purchases and give preference to local content and small and medium enterprises.
The Cabinet also commended allocating additional funds to the health sector, where the total amount of support reached SR 47 billion to raise its readiness, securing medicines and additional beds, and providing necessary medical supplies, as this comes as an extension of continuous efforts in dealing with effects and repercussions of the novel Coronavirus pandemic and maintaining the stability of the national economy and enhancing confidence in its strength.
Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that after reviewing all reports and latest developments related to the Coronavirus pandemic at local and international levels and registered cases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Cabinet was reassured about exerted efforts by relevant authorities to achieve highest levels of safety and early containment and protect the health of citizens and residents in implementation of the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince. The Cabinet was also reassured on following procedures and facilitating the return of citizens abroad and ensuring the safety of their arrival in the Kingdom in accordance with highest standards. The Cabinet expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and HRH Crown Prince for their support for all sectors, close follow-up and unlimited support to preserve humans, and providing all necessary reasons for welfare.
The Cabinet praised the Kingdom’s contribution of US $500 million to support global efforts in combatting the novel COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing emergency and preparedness response, developing and deploying new diagnostic tools, therapeutics and vaccines, fulfilling unmet needs for international surveillance and coordination, and ensuring sufficient supplies of protective equipment for health workers. The Cabinet renewed the Kingdom's call on all countries, non-governmental organizations, charitable foundations, and the private sector to take part in global efforts to close the required financing gap in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which is estimated to be over US $8 billion
Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi pointed out that the Cabinet discussed the Kingdom’s keenness to achieve stability in the oil market, its affirmation with the Russian Federation of a firm commitment to implement agreed targeted cuts over the next two years, their continuing monitoring of oil market situations closely, and being prepared to take further measures jointly with OPEC+ and other producers.
The Cabinet reviewed topics on its agenda, including some being co-studied by the Shura Council; and was briefed on the outcomes reached by the Economic and Development Affairs Council, the Political and Security Affairs Council, the General Committee of the Cabinet, and the Cabinet's Bureau of Experts in this regard.
The Cabinet decided the following:
First :
Approval of a framework agreement for cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the United Arab Emirates.
Second :
Approval of a guiding form for a cooperation agreement in the field of arrival of pilgrims and Umrah performers between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and targeted countries benefiting from (Makkah Road Service) and authorizing Minister of Interior - or his deputy - to negotiate with competent authorities in the targeted countries regarding a draft agreement referred to, sign it, and submit the final copy to complete legal procedures.
Third:
Approval of a headquarters agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Investment & Export Credit Guarantee Corporation regarding the Corporation's branch office.
Fourth:
Approval of authorizing the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance - or his representative - to discuss with the Nigerian side, a draft memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the field of Islamic affairs, sign it and submit the final signed version to complete the formalities.
Fifth:
Approval of authorizing the Minister of Media who is also the Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees of King Fahd National Library - or his representative - to discuss with the Kyrgyz side a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between King Fahd National Library and Kyrgyz National Library in the Kyrgyz Republic, sign it and submit the final signed version to complete the formalities.
Sixth:
Approval of the Articles of Association of the Arab Environment Facility (AEF).
Seven:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of environmental protection and management of water resources between the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources in the Republic of Singapore.
Eighth:
Approval of a memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia Financial Investigation Unit (SAFIU) of the Presidency of State Security in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the National Unit for Processing Financial Information in the Republic of Cote d'ivoire on cooperation in the exchange of investigations related to money laundering, financing of terrorism and relevant crimes.
Ninth:
Approval of the exception of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) from the provisions stipulated in paragraph (3) of Article (76), and paragraph (1) of Article (133) of the corporate regulation, by allowing its extraordinary general assembly to include a number of provisions that stipulated in details by the decision, into the SABIC's Articles of Association.
Tenth: Article (74) of the Enforcement Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/53) dated 13/08/1433H shall be amended as stated in the decision. The provisions of Article (75) of the same Law shall be cancelled.
Eleventh: A technical committee shall be formed in the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to provide a suitable mechanism to transfer the internal media sector from the Ministry of Media to the General Commission for Audiovisual Media.
Twelfth: Item (2) of the Cabinet Decision No. (106) dated 18/02/1439H shall be amended as follows: "The Ministry of Economy and Planning shall be responsible for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos annually, in coordination with the Saudi Center for International Strategic Partnerships and other relevant entities, taking into account the provisions of the Regulation of Official Delegations' Participation in Meetings issued by Cabinet Decision No. (42) dated 16/01/1438H".
Thirteenth: The Cabinet approved a number of promotions and a transfer as follows:
- Mohammad bin Sultan bin Mohammad bin Jurais transferred from the Ministry of Sport and appointed to the post of Undersecretary of the Principality (Rank 15) at the Principality of the Northern Borders Region.
- Dr. Musalm bin Shabab bin Musnad Al-Mutairi promoted to the post of Advisor for Cases Affairs (Rank 15) at the Agency of Civil Affairs, Ministry of Interior.
- Faisal bin Saad bin Nasser Al-Sudairy promoted to the post of Assistant Undersecretary of the Principality for Rights Affairs (Rank 14) at the Principality of Riyadh Region.
- Nasser bin Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Dawood promoted to the post of Director General of the Region Governor's Office (Rank 14) at the Principality of Riyadh Region.