RIYADH: Shoura Council members recently held detailed discussions with representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Planning on the country’s 10th development plan, with a focus on improving education and the manufacturing sector. The ministry delegation presented aspects of the plan to the Shoura’s economics and energy committee, which included energy, housing, public transport, delayed development projects, and the growing demand on higher education institutions.

Ahmad Habib, the ministry’s undersecretary for economic affairs, said the 10th development plan focuses on economic growth, including increasing the production capacity of private and public companies, a local publication reported. Those at the meeting included Saleh Al-Husaini, chairman of the Shoura’s economic and energy committee, and officials from the ministry including Ahmad Salah. The Shoura’s assistant head, Yahya Al-Samaan, was also present.

Habib said the 10th plan included several new measures to deal with economic and social issues, including the training of the workforce, religious issues, Haj and Umrah, and women and the family. Other additions were on diversification of the country’s economy and regional and international cooperation.

Habib said the ministry has created a new automated system that would help achieve the plan’s goals. There would be a more effective performance monitoring system that would allow the government to measure results, which would ultimately help it to grow the country’s economy. This would facilitate the work of the 22-member Council for Economic and Development Affairs chaired by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and all ministries and government agencies.

Habib said the ministry’s officials took into account changes in the global economy during the drafting of the plan, and has worked closely with the Ministry of Finance to determine various goals. He said various government bodies have already sent reports to the Council for Economic and Development Affairs. Minister of Economy and Planning Adel Fakeih had requested the meeting so that the government could listen to the views of Shoura Council members, he said.