RIYADH, 13 September 2005 — The minister of finance, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf, signed an agreement in which the ministry will provide a SR44 million loan to finance a private hospital, Al-Yaum newspaper reported. This project is one of many which are financed by the ministry. The loan is to encourage the private sector to invest in the service sector, which is much needed in this country. The hospital has a capacity of 150 beds.