The Cabinet has approved a proposal to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Britain on the modalities of new laws on fingerprinting and face photos for those applying for a visa to visit Britain. The Cabinet which met here Monday and was presided over by King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, gave its approval for the MoU after recommendations from Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Interior. Dr. Abdul Aziz Khoja, Minister of Culture and Information, said after the meeting that the Monarch briefed the Cabinet on the outcome of his talks, consultations and contacts made in the past few days with the leaders of some countries, their envoys and the telephone call he received from Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. The Cabinet appreciated the recent visit of King Abdullah to the projects of King Abdullah University for Science and Technology in Thuwal. Dr. Khoja said the university will officially open on Sept. 23 this year coinciding with the Kingdom's 79th National Day. The minister said studies start in the university on August 31, 2009 pointing out that initially 400 students will enroll in its ten scientific specializations and ten research centers. He said King Abdullah has given the go-ahead with the hope that the university will achieve a qualitative leap in higher education especially in the scientific field to meet the requirements of the Kingdom. The Cabinet also approved the enforcement of the decision of the Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee of the GCC states on the list of commodities exempted from the GCC unified tariffs. The decision is in regard to Oman and Kuwait. Dr. Khoja said the Cabinet approved the setting up of a national committee to evolve a mechanism for clean environment in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol. The approval comes upon the recommendation of the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources who has been authorized to supervise the committee. The committee will be tasked with working out the necessary criteria and standards to assess the projects to achieve the desired goal. The Council also decided to continue financing the activities of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and its programs related to domestic tourism. Also companies will be established for development of domestic tourism and the government will have a share in its capital.
