The SR690 billion budget approved by the Council of Ministers in its Monday session under the chairmanship of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, makes clear that the state is keen to further the march of progress and development in the Kingdom. The new budget, the largest in the history of the Kingdom, confirms the stability that our national economy enjoys and that the goal of the leadership is to provide a decent life for all citizens. The state is determined that all sectors and regions of the Kingdom should benefit from the nation's resources and the new budget is proof of its support for balanced regional development. The amount set aside for development projects in the new budget is SR265 billion, which is several times the amount that is allocated for such projects by some developed countries. This confirms the keenness of the Kingdom to invest all its capabilities and resources for the good of the nation and to develop all regions of the country by setting up projects that will benefit all citizens. As it is generally recognized that human development is the basis for comprehensive national development, the newly announced budget has allocated SR168 billion for general and higher education and manpower training. This amount will guarantee that work will continue on the development of general education including the construction of 700 new schools for boys and girls as well as university campuses and different training projects located in all regions of the country. As the health of the general population of a nation is inseparable from human development, SR87 billion has been allocated in the budget for providing and upgrading the standard of health services through different projects including the construction of new hospitals, healthcare centers, social care homes, sports clubs and cities, as well as the continued support for social security programs. Apart from investing in health, education and manpower training, the budget has allocated funds for the development of public sectors which provide services for citizens, such as municipalities, communications, water and agriculture. The new budget indicates the sincere intention to harness the capabilities and resources with which Allah has blessed this country in order to continue the march of development of our dear nation, as King Abdullah, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said during the session of the Council of Ministers which approved the new budget. __
