RIYADH — The Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the National Program to Support the Management of Projects in Public Entities "Mashroat" have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to appoint the latter as the enabling arm to support infrastructure projects. Mashroat will provide consultancy services and technical support for managing the ministry's construction projects and facilities management based on the highest administrative and operational standards. The MoU will allow Mashroat to examine and evaluate the construction projects' management departments and the ministry's current facilities management including designing and identifying policies, procedures and processes. In addition, Mashroat will ensure project implementation and facility management systems are run efficiently and effectively. The MoU is considered the first of its type to be implemented by Mashroat to support the management of public facilities for government entities in the Kingdom. This includes the provision of consultation services and technical support based on international best practices and will support the ministry's facilities including 14 operating and maintenance contracts for 389 sites spread throughout the country. The MoU was signed by Executive General Supervisor Supportive Services at the ministry, Dr. Ayman Bin Ibrahim Al-Shelafan, and Director General of Mashroat, Ahmed Bin Mutair Al-Balawi in the presence of Minister of Labor and Social Development Ahmed Bin Suleiman Al-Rajhi, Assistant to the Minister of Labor and Social Development Mohammed Bin Nasser Al-Jasser, and Assistant Minister of Economy and Planning and Mashroat board member Khalid Bin Saud Al-Shunaifi. The goal of this MoU is to increase the efficiency of operations and maintenance, as well as to raise the efficiency and quality of infrastructure and facilities management to international standards. This will help build a solid base for economic growth and prosperity and create an advanced government model in accordance with the Ministry's efforts to improve its performance and efficiency.