JEDDAH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman chaired the virtual session of the Council of Ministers held on Tuesday. At the outset of the session, the King was reassured that preparations and arrangements for this year's Hajj season are complete. He was briefed on the efforts, capabilities, and projects carried out by various government agencies to enhance the comfort and well-being of pilgrims. King Salman expressed the pride of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and people in serving the Two Holy Mosques and visitors to the holy mosques. He prayed to God Almighty to enable the pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals successfully, and to accept their prayers and good deeds. The Cabinet was informed about the content of the messages received by the Monarch from King Abdullah of Jordan and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and of the message received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman from the president of Somalia. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency following the session, Minister of Media Salman Al-Dosary said the Cabinet welcomed the outcome of the second Saudi-Kuwaiti Coordination Council meeting, which underscored the strong fraternal ties between the two nations and their commitment to deepening cooperation in all sectors to serve mutual interests, and strengthen regional and international coordination. The Council reviewed the Kingdom's participation in recent meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League. It expressed hope for further progress in joint endeavors and broader collaboration in the framework of existing fraternal relations and longstanding historical ties. The Cabinet commended the outcome of the 37th OPEC and non-OPEC Ministerial Meeting. It said that the decision of Saudi Arabia and seven other members to extend the voluntary production cuts agreed upon in Riyadh aligns with the OPEC+ countries' ongoing efforts to maintain stability and balance in the global oil market. The Cabinet noted that Saudi Arabia's observance of the World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, is testament to the Kingdom's leading role – locally, regionally, and internationally – in environmental efforts and promoting sustainable development. The Council reviewed recent developments in regional and international arenas, and the ongoing efforts to address them. It reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to supporting international efforts aimed at achieving regional security and stability, and emphasized the Kingdom's dedication to fostering a more developed and prosperous world for all. On the domestic front, the Cabinet reviewed the Kingdom's recent economic performance, highlighting the continued robust growth in non-oil activities. It noted the stabilization of the annual inflation rate at 1.6 percent, which remains below the global target. Positive credit rating estimates were also acknowledged. Minister Al-Dosary said the Cabinet took a number of decisions and these include the following: The Cabinet approved the regulations of the following bodies under the Ministry of Culture: Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, Museums Commission, Heritage Commission, Film Commission, Libraries Commission, Architecture and Design Arts Commission, Music Commission, Theater and Performing Arts Commission, Visual Arts Commission, Culinary Arts Commission, and Fashion Commission. The Council approved that the state shall bear taxes and customs duties on live livestock consignments from May 19, 2024 until the end of the current Hajj season. It also endorsed amendments to the Monitoring Law of Finance Companies. The Cabinet authorized the minister of energy or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Venezuelan side a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of energy. The Council approved a MoU regarding political consultations between the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Côte d'Ivoire, and another agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Kosovo regarding mutual exemption from short-term residence visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official, and special passports. The Cabinet authorized the minister of culture or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Arts of Benin a draft MoU for cooperation in the cultural field. The Cabinet decisions also include approving a MoU between the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment of Tunisia to protect the environment, and approving a MoU between the Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission and the Nuclear Safety Council of Spain to exchange of information in the field of nuclear safety and radiation protection. The Council approved an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the Dominican Republic in the field of air transport services. The Cabinet authorized the minister of industry and mineral resources and chairman of the board of directors of the Saudi Export Development Authority or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Kuwaiti side a draft MoU to boost exports. It approved a MoU between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea for cooperation in the field of copyrights and related rights; and another MoU between the Saudi Institute of Public Administration and the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council regarding training and administrative development.
