year development plans, your government has paid considerable attention to the diversification of the economic base as a strategic option to achieve sustainable growth and stability in various sectors of the economy and gradually reduce reliance on oil as an important source of income and wealth. Marked achievements have been made in this area. The contribution of the non-oil sector to the GDP has increased, with non-oil exports and other revenues having risen notably. Manufacturing industries and agricultural production have developed. However, accelerated economic and social development witnessed by the Kingdom would require acceleration of efforts aimed at increasing the private sector's contribution to economic activity. This would be possible by achieving balanced growth in various economic sectors, promoting and developing industries and small and medium enterprises, developing Saudi cadres, improving the climate and environment of domestic and foreign investment and activating privatization programs at a higher pace. --MORE 1322 Local Time 1022 GMT
