Development projects have taken a quantum leap since King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, ascended the throne in August 2005. Welfare and well-being of Saudi citizens is close to King Abdullah's heart and this is clearly manifested in the long list of development projects undertaken during the last couple of years. Several decisions taken by the government of King Abdullah speak volumes about the monarch's sincerity of purpose and courage of conviction in improving the standard of living of citizens. The government has earmarked a large chunk of budgetary allocations in support of the service sectors and national economy, such as social security, water, electricity, Real Estate Development Fund, Bank of Credit and Saudi Industrial Development Fund, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Soon after taking over the reigns of the country, King Abdullah realized that citizens faced lot of economic problems and ordered a 15 percent pay rise in the public sector. This increment largely helped the public sector employees and many others in the private sector also raised the salaries of their employees in accordance with King Abdullah's directive. In addition, allocations in many other sectors was increased. In another pioneering decision the government reduced gasoline and diesel prices in the Kingdom. The Monarch ordered allocation of SR8 billion from the surplus of 1425-26 Hijra budget for popular housing projects across the Kingdom. The King also issued directives increasing the capital of some development funds by SR25 billion. The funds benefiting from the measure were Real Estate Development Fund (SR9 billion to bring to SR92 billion the total capital), Saudi Credit Bank (SR3b to bring to SR6b the total), Industrial Development Fund (SR13b to bring to SR20b the total capital), and Public Investments Fund (SR20 billion). The 8th Development Plan 1425-30 Hijra aims at preserving the Islamic values, promoting national unity, national security and social stability, raising living standards, providing jobs for citizens, developing manpower, raising their efficiency, diversifying the economic base, increasing the contribution of the private sector in development, achieving balanced development between regions of the Kingdom, developing science and technology system, giving attention to informatics, supporting and encouraging scientific research and technological development, preserving and developing water resources, and protecting the environment. In addition, a number of programs and development projects were allocated. They included programs and projects at the Grand Mosque and other sacred places, improving the infrastructure including the primary health care, public, higher and technical education, public housing, and raising capital development funds. The state's reserves were also enhanced and all help was extended to support the Public Investment Fund. This year's budget has allocated large sums for achieving a quantum leap in the development of manpower, the mainstay for overall development, in the area of health, social care, orphans, the disabled and shortening the time frame for the eradication of poverty. As such, contracts for approximately 3,200 projects worth more than SR83 billion have already been signed this year. In 1426 Hijra, King Abdullah opened seven giant health and medical projects worth SR200 million. King Abdullah also opened a maternity, gynecology and pediatrics hospital in Madina, the city's largest specialist hospital and the region's second medical and health facility. The 500-bed hospital cost SR447 million. In the economic field, the government's comprehensive program to solve the difficulties facing local, joint and foreign investments yielded positive results. King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh is considered among the most prominent economic achievements. The project which stands witness to the magnitude of foreign investments attracted by Saudi Arabia. The city will be the largest integrated economic hub in the Mideast. During recent periodical inspection visits to various parts of the Kingdom, King Abdullah patronized the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Foundation for Developmental Housing. He also laid the foundation stones for a number of private sector projects worth more than SR82 billion in Jubail. Besides, he also laid foundation stones for a number of developmental projects for the ministry of higher education, ministry of transport, ministry of electricity and water, public institution for technical education and vocational training During a visit to Madina, the Monarch opened a number of projects serving visitors of the Prophet's Mosque, including shades and expansion of the mosque's eastern wing at a cost of over SR4.7 billion. In the field of education, the King laid the foundation stone for Phase II of Al-Qassim University campus. He also opened Phase I of the University of Taiba, laid the foundation stone for Technical Education and Vocational Training Institute in Madina at a total cost of more than SR700 million, The King also launched the Economic Knowledge City in Madina. The SR25 billion project is the first of its kind based on technologically skilled industries in the Kingdom. In Taif, the King patronized the ceremony of laying the foundation stone for SR300 million worth training units, affiliated to the General Organization for Technical Education and Vocational Training. He also laid the foundation stones of the SR198 million Al-Hada-Al-Karr Road and SR560 million King Faisal Hospital. In Rajab 1427 Hijra, the King opened and laid the foundation stones for a number of developmental projects at an estimated cost of more than SR2 billion. The King opened a giant road network including the extension of Aqaba Al-Baha Al-Mikhwah and Al-Mizailif two-way road at a cost of more than SR2 billion. He also laid the foundation stone for the University of Baha and the technical college at a cost of SR400 million. He also opened new roads in Al-Baha region at a total cost of about SR1.3 billion. The King also laid the foundation stone for the expansion and development of Najran airport at a total cost of SR90 million. __
