The Council of Ministers on Monday decided to impose fees on vacant lands within cities and towns as part of its efforts to find a quick solution to the housing problem.
The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, adopted the vital resolution on the recommendation of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.
The Cabinet instructed the Council of Economic and Development Affairs to set out the mechanism to impose fees on vacant lands. The issue will be further referred to the Shoura Council in order to complete legal procedures.
In his statement, Minister of Culture and Information, Adel Al-Toraifi, said Saudi Arabia condemned the terrorist attacks in Tunis that targeted a museum in the country and claimed the lives of many innocent victims.
According to him, the council stressed the clear positions of the Kingdom in the fight against terrorism and condemning all of its forms and manifestations and appeals the need for close international cooperation to fight it and ridding the international community of its evils.
Referring to the principles of tolerance in Islam, Al-Toraifi said Islam prohibits treachery and killing oneself and that the Islamic religion and its followers has noting to do with terrorism.
With regard to the offensive remarks by Swedish Foreign Minister the Cabinet also expressed the country’s thanks and appreciation to the GCC’s states and the rest of the world for their positive position and support.
Some urban land in the Kingdom is owned by wealthy individuals or companies who prefer holding it as a store of value, or trading it for speculative profits, to the process of developing it. The fee could change that and spur home building activity.
Fees to be imposed on unbuilt land
