The third day’s deliberations focused on the importance small and medium enterprises (SME) have in the sustainable development of the country.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal opened the forum at Jeddah Hilton on Saturday. The forum was organized by the Prince Majed bin Abdulaziz Society for Development and Social Services.

Labor Minister Adel Fakeih said in his address on Monday that the current level of the achievements of the SMEs did not meet national aspirations.

“The contribution of SMEs to the national development this year was a mere 35 percent, less compared to the previous year. The Kingdom wants to bring the level up to 55 percent of the GDP like advanced countries, where SMEs contribute between 45 percent and 60 percent of GDP,” Fakeih said. He put the number of SMEs in the Kingdom at 116,000.

The government planned to promote SMEs with measures such as creating student awareness about their importance. It also planned to enlist the support of the chambers of commerce and industry and various universities, the minister said. A special fund would be launched to finance SMEs in addition to founding a national research center to study issues related to their development, the minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah emphasized the close link between comprehensive health development and sustained social development. He said the UN Millennium Development identified integrated health care as a major factor in the eradication of hunger and poverty.

“We should not forget the decision of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to start five medical cities as part of the integrated national health care project in five regions in the Kingdom,” he said.

“They are Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz Medical City in the north, King Faisal Medical City in the south, King Khaled Medical City in the east, King Abdullah Medical City in Makkah in the west and the King Fahd Medical City in the central region.”

Other speakers in the forum included Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah and Social Affairs Minister Yousuf Al-Othaimeen. Many papers were presented discussing various aspects of sustainable development.

The recommendations of the forum included the need for the participation of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce in bringing about greater cooperation between private and public sectors with the involvement of large companies in social development activities.

The forum also recommended greater involvement of the media in creating public awareness about social development. Ten workshops were also conducted as part of the event.