The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held at Al-Salam palace in Jeddah yesterday. At the outset of the meeting, the Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the results of the official visit of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the United States of America, which emanated from his keenness to communicate with the world leaders in the interest and service of the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the issues of Arab and Islamic nations and in confirmation of the ties of friendship between the two countries and in response to an invitation of His Excellency the U.S. President Barack Obama. The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques commended the historical and strategic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America and their witnessing of further development in all fields, stressing the King's assurances that the talks between the two countries, especially with regard to the new strategic partnership of the 21st century will contribute to deepening and strengthening relations and enhancing the bonds of mutual cooperation in the best interest of both friendly countries and their peoples. In a statement to SPA following the meeting, Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Hussein, Minister of Water and Electricity and acting Minister of Culture and Information, explained that the Cabinet commended the positive and fruitful talks held between the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and US President, appreciating the confirmation, included in the joint statement, of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and US President on the importance of continuing strengthening of their strategic relations for the interest of their governments and peoples, and President Obama's paying tribute to the Kingdom's leading role in the Arab and Islamic worlds, and the statement's emphasis on the importance of intensifying efforts to maintain the security and stability of the region and positions towards various issues of concern to the region. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the contents of the speech of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques before the Investment Forum held by Saudi-US Business Council in which the monarch emphasized determination to put an overall framework to consolidate the strategic partnership between the two countries in various fields for the coming decades, and the Kingdom's endeavor to promote the sustainable and balanced development march, and that it will continue to strengthen its economy and enhance its stability, competitiveness and attractiveness for domestic and foreign investment in view of the ingredients the Kingdom's economy is enjoying and could utilize them to cope with the economic conditions and regional and international crises, citing the privileges and natural wealth bestowed by Allah Almighty to the Kingdom, an advantage that offers great economic and investment opportunities. The Cabinet also appreciated the King's remarks that he is looking forward to an effective participation of U.S. international companies in taking those opportunities in different fields. The Cabinet expressed its appreciation for the assertions of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques that the Kingdom's policy, as a major oil producer, was and still keen on the stability of the global economy and its growth in a way that creates balance of interests between consumers and producers and enhance investment in the various energy sectors, and his directive to study all trade and investment regulations to facilitate the work of international companies and provide incentives, including direct action in the Saudi markets for those who wish to invest in the Kingdom to achieve the common interests of both sides. The Minister said the Cabinet then discussed the latest developments in the region, the developments of situations in the Republic of Yemen and, in this concern, offered deep condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Deputy Crown Prince on the martyrdom of a number of soldiers of the Kingdom participating in the Renewal of Hope campaign of the coalition forces in Yemen, also expressing its deep condolences to the sisterly United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Bahrain on the martyrdom of a number of their soldiers, appealing to Allah Almighty to bestow his mercy on their souls and rest them in paradise. The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the results of his reception of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi of the Republic of Yemen, valuing the President's appreciation of the firm positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia towards Yemen and its people, especially with regard to the support for the legitimacy in Yemen and provision of relief and medical assistance to the Yemeni people. The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques renewed the Kingdom's keenness, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, that Yemen and its brotherly people would enjoy more security and stability. The Cabinet, then discussed a number of domestic issues and, in this regard, expressed thanks to and appreciation of the competent security agencies and Saudi Customs for their following-up, monitoring and preventing drug smuggling attempts into the Kingdom and the arrest of those involved in the smuggling and their recipients, commending the coordination and integration among various agencies and the keenness to protect the homeland and its citizens from the scourge of drugs. Eng. Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Hussein said the Cabinet was briefed on the remaining agenda, among them some have been studied by the Shura Council, and reached the following conclusions: First: The Cabinet authorized the minister of finance or his deputy to sign a draft agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of Gabon to evade double taxation in regard of taxes on income and prevent tax evasion, forward the final version of the agreement after being signed for the completion of the necessary legal procedure. Second: The Cabinet approved the regulation of the Saudi Contractors Commission and authorized the minister of commerce and industry to form its first board of directors, provided that the members should be among those interested in the profession of contracting. Third: The Cabinet authorized the minister of communications and information technology or his deputy to discuss with the Serbian side a draft memorandum on understanding on cooperation in the field of communication and information technology between the ministry of communications and information technology of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the ministry of commerce, tourism and communications of the Republic of Serbia, sign it and then forward the final signed version of the MOU for the completion of the legal procedures. Fourth: Having seen a report submitted by the ministry of labor and considered the Shura Council decision No. (91/47) dated 28/8/1436 H., the Cabinet approved the memorandum of understanding in the field of labor between the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which was signed in Riyadh in 22/3/1436 H. Fifth: The Cabinet approved the re-formation of the board of directors of the Agricultural Development Fund for three years to be headed by the minister of agriculture and each of the director general of the fund as Vice President, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Askar as representative of the ministry of finance, Dr. Faisal bin Sultan Al-Subaie as representative of the ministry of agriculture, Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al-Saud as representative of the ministry of water and electricity, Dr. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Dosari as representative of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Sulaiman Al-Tiraiqi, Dr. Mohammed bin Yahya Al-Sayyadi, Dr. Ahmed bin Saleh Al-Saleh, Dr. Abdullah bin Saeed Kadman Al-Sarhani and Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Oboodi as expert members. Sixth: The Cabinet approved the creation of a national program to develop the fishing sector in the Kingdom, so that the ministry of agriculture will be in charge of managing it in coordination with the pertinent agencies of its choice. The Cabinet approved the following appointments: 1- Suleiman bin Abdulaziz bin Saad Shahioian is appointed to the post of Director general of Public Administration for Financial and Administrative Affairs at rank 15 at the Ministry of Interior. 2- Eng. Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah Al-Qarni is appointed to the post of Undersecretary of Mayor for Services at rank 15 at the Eastern Region Principality. 3- Dr. Abdullah bin Saud bin Mohammed bin Muaiqel is appointed to the post of Undersecretary of the Ministry for Family and Social Care at rank 15 at the Ministry of Social Affairs. 4- Eng. Adel bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Mulheim is appointed to the post of Head of Qatif Province Municipality at rank 14 at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. 5- Abdurrahman bin Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Isa is appointed to the post of Director General of the Ministry's Branch in Eastern Region at rank 14 at Ministry of Civil Service. 6- Abdurrahman bin Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ghamdi is appointed to the post of Director General of the Ministry's Branch in Makkah Region at rank 14 at Ministry of Civil Service. The Cabinet was briefed on the annual reports of the Saudi Wildlife Authority and Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs for the two previous financial years.
