Kingdom’s Plan Aims to Cut Unemployment

RIYADH, 7 July 2005 — Minister of planning, Dr. Khalid Al-Gosaibi, said that the eighth development plan aims to achieve a growth in investment by 1.7 percent annually, according to Al-Watan newspaper. During his presentation of the goals of the plan to the Shoura Council on Monday, Al-Gosaibi also said that the plan aims to reduce unemployment from 7 percent in 2005 to 2.8 percent by 2009. He said that unemployment among men would decrease from 5.6 percent to 2.4 percent and among women from 15.5 percent to 4.3 percent during the same period.