Saudi Cabinet Approves Objectives Of Development Plan
The Saudi cabinet on 5 April endorsed 13 general objectives of the ninth five-year development plan (2010-10), which is in the process of being finalized. The following is an outline of these objectives as announced by the Saudi Minister of Culture and Information 'Abd al-'Aziz Khoja:
Maintenance of Islamic teachings and values, boosting national unity and comprehensive national security, safeguarding human rights, achieving social stability and cementing the Kingdom’s Islamic and Arab identity.
Continuation of development of the holy sites and services provided to pilgrims and visitors to ensure the performance of rituals comfortably.
Achievement of sustainable economic and social development by accelerating the pace of economic growth and social welfare.
Achievement of balanced growth among the Kingdom’s regions and bolstering their role in economic and social development.
Bolstering the development of human capital, expanding options available to citizens in obtaining knowledge, skills and expertise, which can be beneficial to them and providing an appropriate level of health services.
Raising the standard of living and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
Diversification of the economic base horizontally and vertically, expansion of the absorptive and productive capacity of the national economy, boosting its competitiveness and maximizing the returns from its comparative advantage.
Moving towards a knowledge-based economy and increasing the components of the information-based society.
Strengthening the role of the private sector in bringing about economic, social and environmental development, and expansion of private investment (national and foreign) and partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Development, preservation and rational use of natural resources, particularly water, and protection of the environment within the requirements of sustainable development.
Continuation of economic, social and institutional reform, development of regulations related to raising efficiency and improving performance, working to promote the principle of transparency and accountability, and supporting civil society institutions in enhancing their growth activities.
Boosting the economic integration with the GCC and other Arab states and developing the Kingdom’s relations with Islamic and friendly countries.
Development of the sector of small and medium sized enterprises to increase its contribution to GDP, and development of frameworks to manage and organize these enterprises.
Copyright MEES 2010.
