JEDDAH, 18 December 2006 — Saudi Arabia’s national budget for 2007 will be unveiled today, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah announced yesterday. He said he had instructed the commerce minister to explore prospects of merging small-scale companies into groups in order to carry out development projects in various parts of the country.
“The budget will be announced tomorrow (Monday) and its content will make you happy,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying while addressing a group of Shoura Council members from the southern regions of Asir, Jizan and Najran who came to greet him.
He emphasized the need for strong companies to carry out development projects. He said small-scale companies have already expressed their desire to merge. “But there are conditions and we have set up a committee to look into these conditions and God willing a solution will be found,” he said. “There are several projects that are ready for implementation. What you need are contractors to implement them,” he added.
King Abdullah emphasized the government’s determination to crush terrorists. “I promise you that they will be defeated by the will of God. We are sorry to say some of them are from our own people. They were enticed by Satan,” he said and noted the government’s efforts to root out terrorism. The king said the government would do everything possible to protect its citizens.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Intelligence Director Prince Muqrin, Prince Saud ibn Abdullah ibn Thunayan, chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, and other top officials attended the reception at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.
Crown Prince Sultan also received the Shoura members from the three southern regions and emphasized the government’s efforts to achieve balanced development all over the country. “King Abdullah loves citizens all over the Kingdom. We are one nation and brothers who cooperate with one another for establishing truth and piety,” he said.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah held talks with Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa on major regional issues, most importantly Palestine and Lebanon, SPA said.
King to Host 1,000 Pilgrims
The government will host about 1,000 pilgrims from different continents to perform Haj this year. King Abdullah has instructed relevant departments to make arrangements for hosting the pilgrims including prominent Islamic personalities and directors of Islamic centers and organizations around the world.
Interior Minister Prince Naif said the preparations for the Haj were in full swing. He said about one million pilgrims have already arrived from different parts of the Islamic world. “Security situation of pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah is excellent,” he told reporters. He hoped that pilgrims would be able to perform all their religious rituals with ease and comfort. “Security agencies and officers are in place to ensure the safety of the guests of God,” he added.
