Faisal, Emir of Makkah region, Saturday reviewed the latest developments in the region's ten-year plan. The Makkah regional plan is part of the comprehensive national plan and outlines all the projects required by the region until 1450H (2028G). Prince Khaled highlighted the importance of city as the strategic starting point for the region. “Makkah is the basis for planning and providing services, as everything starts from the Holy Ka'ba and ends there hence necessitating linking development in the region,” he said. He was speaking during a meeting with the Undersecretariat of the Emirate for Development Affairs in Makkah. It was attended by Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al-Khudhairi, Undersecretary of Makkah region's governorate. Prince Khaled was also briefed by Darweesh Al-Ghamdi, Director General of Planning and Coordination. Al-Ghamdi revealed that a total of 2,096 projects will be carried out in the plan's first stage in many different sectors. The plan, he said, aims for better socioeconomic integration in the region, the establishment of new development centers and diversification of the economic base so as to decrease disparity across the region. The development centers will raise the living standards of the citizens and seek to stem rural to urban migration. “The efforts are guided by the relative advantage for the sites of activities and aim to benefit from available resources, improve the urban environment and upgrade infrastructure and public utilities,” he said.
