Kingdom witnessing social, economic renaissance: King

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a social and economic renaissance due to ambitious development plans, said Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman during a reception held in his honor by the people of Al-Ahsa province at Hajr Palace here on Saturday.

“The Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aims at restructuring the country’s economy, raising the performance of its institutions, diversifying sources of income and raising the productivity of the community,” the King said.

King Salman stressed the importance of security and highlighted the need for concerted efforts to preserve this blessing.

“There is no development, knowledge and culture without security. Hence it is significant to exert concerted efforts to preserve this blessing and make the people aware of its importance. We are confident in the capabilities of Saudi citizens, and are pinning great hopes on them that they would be fully aware of their responsibility toward the nation building process.”

“I care about every citizen in every part of our country,” the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said.

He said Saudi Arabia has been established on solid foundations and faith based on Allah’s Holy Book and the Prophet’s Sunnah.

“Our state is honored to serve the Two Holy Mosques. We have always been keen to diligently perform our duties and responsibilities toward pilgrims and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques,” the King said.

Prince Saud Bin Naif, Emir of the Eastern Province, welcomed the King to Al-Ahsa, describing the region as an oasis of prosperity, knowledge and culture, trade and agriculture, and a land where the first Juma (Friday) prayer was performed in Islam after the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

On behalf of the people of Al-Ahsa, Sheikh Sami Bin Fahd Al-Hadi delivered a speech and poet Abdullah Bin Ali Al-Khudair recited a poem, welcoming the King to their region.

Earlier the King was received by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior; Emir of the Eastern Province Prince Saud Bin Naif; and Emir of Al-Ahsa province Prince Badr Bin Muhammad Bin Jalawi.

100,000 residential unit projects launched in Al-Ahsa

AL-AHSA — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Saturday laid the foundation stone for 100,000 residential units in Al-Asfar district in Al-Ahsa.

The massive projects will be implemented by a consortium of Saudi and Chinese real estate developers.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the two governments in this regard during the visit of Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, second deputy premier and minister of defense, to Beijing in August this year.

King Salman also opened residential units of the Ministry of Housing. These include 116 residential villas in Al-Mubarraz, 500 residential units near Al-Ahsa airport, and 1.5 million square meters of developed land near King Faisal University that will be allotted to real estate developers.

The King also handed keys of some of the residential units to citizens.