DAMMAM, 15 October 2007 — Eastern Province Gov. Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd emphasized the government’s priority to help the poor while addressing a public meeting to mark the Eid celebrations at King Abdullah Park on Dammam’s Corniche Saturday night.
“It is our strong desire to do everything for the welfare of the citizens, and we cannot do it without listening to their views and suggestions,” said the governor. “We may have shortcomings but we always strive to do what is good for all people, particularly the poor.”
The prince cited recent projects targeting the uplift of the poor. These included low-income housing projects, several training programs for women in various trades, schemes to offer assistance for women to start their own businesses, and writing off debts owed to banks by deceased citizens.
Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province Prince Julawi ibn Abdul Aziz ibn Musaed, Prince Miteb ibn Saud and a number of princes and officials, several businessmen and other dignitaries besides several thousand citizens and expatriates attended the celebrations.
Prince Muhammad reiterated the need for supporting all sections of society. He also explained the significance of the Eastern Province as a hub of tourism activities.
“Though the province is called ‘the Pearl of the Gulf,’ 75 percent of its tourism potentials remain untapped,” said the prince. “When the infrastructure for major tourism opportunities will be developed the region will become the tourism capital of the Gulf.”
The governor pointed out that the Eastern Province is also an important center for economic and industrial activities of not only the Gulf but of the entire Middle East region as well.
The prince hoped that the businessmen and government officials, in their capacity as the citizens of the region, would strive their best to achieve the highest level of progress for the region.
Speaking on the occasion, the chairman of the Council of Saudi Chambers and Commerce, Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid, said the Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce and Industry launched a new fund called “the Festival Fund” to finance social events and special occasions so that all the festivities in the region become successful events. He added that though the chamber had set up the fund, its finances and administration would be independent of its control.
The event also featured several stage programs of the Culture and Arts Society of the Eastern Province such as folk dances. Prince Muhammad took part in an Ardha perforance along with other princes.
The EPCCI is doing its best to make this year’s Eid festival a grand success, according to Adnan Al-Naeem, secretary-general of the chamber.
