JEDDAH, 27 February — The Jeddah Holding Company has set out a world-class plan to solve the city's water and sewage problems, according to Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed. He estimated that water and sewage projects in Jeddah would need SR20 billion investment in the next 20 years.
The company's constituent council, which met here yesterday under the chairmanship of Prince Abdul Majeed, who is also the honorary president of the firm, approved the general sewage and water plan for Jeddah. The meeting also reviewed progress of three major tourism projects to be implemented in the city.
Prince Abdul Majeed announced that Jeddah Holding had received an official permit from the Commerce Ministry last week. "This is the first step which will be followed by concession rights and talks with authorities to execute water and sewage projects in Jeddah," he said.
Asked about the estimated cost of the projects, he said: "We have not approved any allocations for the projects but we endorsed a high-level and world-class plan and its results will certainly make Jeddah people happy."
He said the company had discussed the projects with a number of high-tech companies and banks. "I would like to inform everybody that Jeddah Holding is now at the highest level. It is not at the level of the Kingdom but at a global level," he pointed out.
Prince Abdul Majeed commended the projects proposed by Jeddah Tourism Company, an affiliate of Jeddah Holding. He said Jeddah Tourism would hold a special meeting within the next six weeks. "This company will be established after the formal launching of the parent company," he added.
The governor said Jeddah Tourism would establish three vital projects in Jeddah -- an Islamic heritage center, a Red Sea island, and a recreational city. Yesterday's meeting also discussed the local tourism market and strategies to promote domestic tourism with the support of foreign investors. He said the company had made many achievements within a span of 10 months.
Dr. Faisal Ibrahim Al-Oqail, executive director of Jeddah Holding, said the constituent assembly of the company would be called shortly to complete the firm's registration procedures.
He said Muhammad Abdul Qader Al-Fadhel, chairman of the constituent committee for Jeddah Tourism, presented a report during the meeting on prospects of attracting more tourists to the city. He said Fadhel also gave a presentation on new tourism projects in Jeddah.
Al-Oqail said the meeting also heard reports on studies conducted in association with government departments to identify Jeddah's water and sewage problems and the projects required by the city.
In another development, Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday inspected the Haj center in Daqam Al-Waber. He also met with directors of various government departments at the center.
