DAMMAM: The Eastern Province is currently celebrating the completion of Gov. Prince Mohammad bin Fahd’s 25th year at the helm of this strategically important Saudi business hub.
Columnists and writers are pointing out how the political career of Prince Mohammad, son of the late King Fahd, started in early 1984 when he was appointed assistant minister of interior. Under Interior Minister Prince Naif and Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmed, he received intensive training in the art of governance. By the end of 1984, he was appointed as acting governor of the Eastern Province. In a few months, he established himself as a capable governor and in 1985 he was appointed governor of the Eastern Province.
Newspapers have come out with special editions to mark the occasion. In them, Saudi columnists, academics and businessmen have highlighted the governor’s multifaceted initiatives that have helped the region grow at a rapid pace.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, director of the Saudi Retirees Association in the Eastern Province, said his educational initiatives will always top the list of achievements in the last 25 years.
“The annual Prince Mohammad Prize for Scholastic Achievement has really ushered in an educational revolution in the region. Through this prize for school, college and university achievers, he has created a very healthy competition in the student community. Throughout the year, we see our youngsters striving to get this prize.”
Businessman Salman Al-Jishi agrees with this assessment. “This initiative of the prince has really gone over very well in the community. It acted as a catalyst and as an inspiration,” he said. “As a businessman, I particularly laud this move because this is what we want. We want to hire local people, and to do that we need qualified Saudis. This initiative basically meets our needs — the needs of the province’s business community,” he said.
Prominent businessman Khalid Abdulkarim described the creation of Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University in the Eastern Province as a seminal event. “This is an excellent university — one that you can compare with any international university. This has certainly raised the profile of our region and has provided an ideal platform for young Saudis to launch their careers,” he said. Among the major initiatives of the prince that came in for effusive praise was the launching of Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Fund for Supporting Small Business Projects for Women, which is currently led by Hana Al-Zuhair. “A remarkable and visionary initiative, this fund opened the doors for women entrepreneurs,” said Al-Jishi.
“With the help of this fund, dozens of entrepreneurial women were able to launch their businesses and contribute positively to the growth of this region,” said Al-Ghamdi. Abdulkarim said the prince’s years as the governor of the Eastern Province have been marked by great and solid progress.
“There is social cohesion and cooperation among all members of Saudi society. The climate for investment remains excellent. We have had special focus not just on the business, financial and industrial sectors but also on tourism,” he added.
