JEDDAH, 3 May 2003 — Education Minister Dr. Muhammad Al-Rasheed has not ruled out the possibility of appointing a woman as deputy minister for girls’ education. However, he said the matter would be finally decided by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King
Fahd.
 
“Many of our women have proved their capabilities through their roles in various fields. I know they are very capable in many areas. They have displayed excellent performance in educational matters, especially as college principals and university professors,” the minister told
Okaz newspaper.
 
Rasheed did not reply when asked whether the presence of a female deputy minister would embarrass him.
 
In the Cabinet reshuffle, it was announced that the education minister will have two deputies, one each for boys’ and girls’ education.
 
The Cabinet was reshuffled on Wednesday with structural changes in several ministerial portfolios. Most of the important ministers including Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi and Finance Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf retained their positions.
 
Five new ministers have been introduced during the reshuffle. They are: Minister of Telecommunications and Information Technology Muhammad Mulla, Health Minister Dr. Hamad Al-Manie, Agriculture Minister Dr. Fahd Balghaneim, Transport Minister Dr. Jabara Al-
Seraisry, and State Minister Abdullah Zainal.
 
Al-Assaf said the restructuring of the ministries was carried out to improve the performance of government departments and cut down expenditure. He also disclosed plans to enhance the role of the Real Estate Development Fund in boosting the welfare of citizens.
 
Minister of Economy and Planning Khaled Al-Gosaibi, who was among the ministers who retained their jobs, said planning and economy were essential factors for the development of any country.
 
The Planning Ministry has been restructured to include the economy, which was separated from the Ministry of Finance and National Economy.
 
“We will endeavor to increase the country’s economic growth rate,” Gosaibi said, adding that his ministry would also work to solve the unemployment problem by creating more job opportunities for Saudis.
 
Meanwhile, a number of businessmen in Jeddah have called upon the newly appointed Cabinet to end the problems facing citizens and
speed up investment procedures.
 
“The ministers should put an end to bureaucratic practices and come down to citizens to know their problems, instead of sitting behind closed doors,” Dr. Saad Al-Ghamdi, executive vice president of Abdul Latif Jameel Group, told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News.
 
“What is needed is serious efforts to end routine procedures, especially those related to investment by local and foreign businessmen. Any success or failure in this mission will depend on government departments, whatever their name,” he said.
 
Saeed Aseeri, vice chairman of the Tourism Committee and Haj and Umrah Committee, said the merger of the industry and commerce ministries will support the Kingdom’s efforts to get admission to the World Trade Organization.
 
According to economist Dr. Wadie Kabili the separation of economy from the Finance Ministry as well as merging industry with the Commerce Ministry were significant moves.
 
Kabili stressed the importance of a ministry for foreign trade not only to boost trade but also to speed up WTO negotiations. “Our WTO talks failed because of the absence of foreign trade experts in the negotiating team,” he added. The WTO has given developing countries until 2005 to correct their situation. 

P.K. Abdul Ghafour, Arab News Staff

© Arab News 2003