Rabigh, June 11 , SPA -- Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz patronized today the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of a number of investment projects in King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh with a total value of SR130 billion.
The ceremony was attended by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission, and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General.
Upon arrival at the venue of the ceremony, the king was received by Prince Khalid Alfaisal bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Makkah Region, other princes and officials.
The king viewed a model of King Abdullah Economic City and was briefed on it.
Governor of the General Investment Commission Amr Aldabbagh delivered a speech in which he said that the "Company of Building the Economic City" has provided 5000 scholarships to the people of the province of Rabigh to qualify them for work at the projects of the city.
Aldabbagh added that until now, the city has attracted investments exceeding SR100 billion.
The king watched a documentary film on King Abdullah Economic City.
The king and those attending watched a show on the infrastructure projects, facilities and services including the port of King Abdullah Economic City, projects of the public utilities, the projects of the infrastructure of the transportation, the building of the General Investment Commission and other facilities whose total cost is SR79 billion. Then, the king laid the foundation stone of these projects.
Then, the king and those attending watched a show on the industrial, logistic and knowledge industry projects with a total cost of SR56 billion. Then, the king laid the foundation stone of these projects.
The monarch, princes and other attendees were shown a video tape on human resources and education development projects at a cost of SR3 billion.
Another show was on construction accomplishments in King Abdullah Economic City.
Then the Governor of General Commission for Investment presented gifts to the King, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission and the Crown Prince to mark the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of King Abdullah Economic City.
Accompanied by Prince Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of Allegiance-Pledge Commission and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, the monarch had a tour of the exhibition held on the fringes of the event. They saw replicas of a number of developmental projects in the city, including SAUDIA mall, Fine Hotel, Bailsan residential village, Aluminum Factories Complex, Esmeralda neighborhood, Smart Service Center and they were briefed on them by the Chairman of General Commission for Investment.
The king then dropped at the Humanitarian Communication Network Pavilion and was briefed on its contents by a specialist at the facility.
Then the King, Chairman of the Allegiance-Pledge Commission and the Crown Prince graced a luncheon held on this occasion.
Then the King received Dr. Nihad Awad, Chairman of KIR Islamic Foundation in the United States, who was accompanied by the director of International Communications Ibrahim Huwair and Senator Larri Shaw who greeted the King and presented a memorial gift to him.
Also they congratulated him on the success of the International Islamic Conference on Dialogue which was held in Makkah recently.
This was followed by a photo-taking session.
At the end of the foundation stone-laying event, the King graced the visitors' book with the following to remarks:
"In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful" Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, prayer and peace be on the best of prophets and messengers!
Our happiness on this day is overwhelming as we witness the establishment of a number of projects in Abdullah Economic City.
"In fact, we are counting on this city that its current and future projects turn to be a qualitative addition to our national economy through the creation of an environment suitable for attracting investments, transferring technology through partnership with the leading economic institutions in our country and the world at large, and providing job opportunities for citizens.
"May God Almighty offer success for everyone, bless the efforts of the faithful sons of this nation, endow this country, its citizens and the entire Islamic nation with the benefits of these projects, and grace these good projects for the prosperity and development of Muslims. I avail myself on this opportunity to ask those in charge of this city to build a mosque in each neighborhood of the city so that the name of God is voiced every prayer time therein.
Thanks to Allah Almighty for his blessings on this country including security, safety and decent living, and let us thank God once again so that good omen prevails and good blessings safeguard the country, its residents and employees. "
Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Then the national anthem was played.
The monarch then left the venue with a warm farwell.
The ceremony was attended by Prince Mit'eb bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs; Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; Prince Bandar bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz; Prince Abdulrahman bin Ahmed bin Abdulrahman; Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Foreign Minister; Prince Miqren bin Abdulaziz, Chief of General Intelligence, princes, ministers, senior civil and military officials and businessmen.
© Saudi Press Agency 2008
