Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, said the new move aims at accelerating the balanced growth and development of all regions in the Kingdom in all spheres of life, as well as improving services to citizens and residents.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah upgraded the status of 18 cities from B to A and elevated the status of 28 towns to Grade-B cities. The royal order will be implemented over a period of three financial years, starting in the current fiscal year.

King Abdullah's order is in line with the recommendations of a comprehensive study, carried out by the Ministry of Interior in coordination with the governors of the provinces, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday.

Mahdi Al-Ayafi, chief administrative officer of Jamoom city in the Makkah province, said the decree has increased the powers of the administrators of cities and towns to implement development plans.

"It will boost the Kingdom's development process," said the chief administrator of another city in the province.

Abdul Rahman Al-Odwani, head of the administration in Adham town, east of Al-Laith, said the royal decree reflected the leadership’s desire to raise the administrative level of towns. “It will contribute to realizing the hopes and aspirations of Saudi citizens in different parts of the country,” he added.

Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb emphasized his ministry’s plan would put an end to underdeveloped residential districts in some regions. “We will also allocate required amount of land to the Housing Ministry to implement low-cost housing projects,” he added.