The Cabinet decision to transform the Standing Committee for Exhibitions and Conferences into a national program will strengthen this vital economic sector, said Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.

The Cabinet announced the program was aimed at reorganizing and developing the sector to achieve the desired goals. A high-level committee chaired by the SCTA chief will supervise the program.

“I expect the Cabinet decision would have a big impact in boosting economies of the Kingdom’s regions,” Prince Sultan said. “It will also create more job opportunities for citizens and accelerate economic growth.”

He said exhibitions and conferences play a big role in promoting trade exchange between countries.

“Our conference and exhibition sector has all the potentials to achieve a leading position,” he said, adding that it would play as a major driver of growth.

However, he pointed out that the sector required better organization and greater development as well as infrastructure investment.

According to studies conducted by the Tourism Research and Information Center (MAS), about 3.5 million have visited the conferences and exhibitions held in the Kingdom last year.

The Cabinet also entrusted the Ministry of Commerce and Industry the task of preparing of the Kingdom’s participation in foreign exhibitions.

Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja said the Cabinet reviewed the latest developments at regional and international levels, including global efforts to contain the Syrian crisis.

On the 32nd anniversary of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Cabinet praised the efforts of GCC leaders and their keenness to achieve more progress and realize the aspirations of GCC peoples.

The Cabinet authorized the crown prince or his deputy to discuss and sign with the Austrian side a draft agreement for mutual protection of classified information.

It approved reshuffling of the board of trustees of King Fahd National Library with Prince Salman as its chairman. The board members include the minister of higher education, minister of culture and information and deputy minister of finance.

The Cabinet appointed Zuhair bin Mohammed Al-Idrissi ambassador at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Humaidi and Abdullah bin Salah Al-Qannas experts at the Cabinet’s Bureau of Experts; Dhaifallah bin Bader Al-Otaibi director general of customs at King Khaled International Airport; and Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Dakheel, director general of customs at Riyadh’s Dry Port.