Saudi Arabia's King Salman unveils development projects for Tabuk region

TABUK, Saudi Arabia (CIC) – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday unveiled development projects worth nearly SAR 7 billion for Tabuk region during a visit to the northern region, the third stopover of a nationwide royal tour that began earlier this month.

The approved costs in government entities budgets for the Tabuk region projects announced totalled SAR 6.89 billion. The projects significantly boost development of the Tabuk region as they cover a wide range of key segments including education, roads and highways, municipal buildings, parks, ports and other infrastructure, housing, environment, water and agriculture, and energy and industry, as well as museums.

The King arrived in Tabuk on Monday evening from the capital Riyadh. The visit is the third leg of a cross-country tour undertaking by the King this month, accompanied by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. During the visits, the King is launching or inaugurating many projects and initiatives, as he monitors the living conditions of Saudi citizens and acquaints himself with their needs.

In a speech on Monday to the Shura Council to mark the inauguration of the activities of the third year of the seventh session of the assembly, King Salman touched on recent and upcoming trips across the country, saying they stem from his keenness to meet citizens and view development projects there.

“We directed the Crown Prince and all relevant ministers to monitor the needs and development priorities in the regions, and to specify the citizens’ most vital projects to accelerate their realization and to keep us constantly informed to ensure making all necessary decisions related to these projects, and to have continuous follow-up to improve all services provided to citizens, especially education and healthcare services,” the King told the Shura Council.

AMAALA PROJECT BRIEFING

During the visit, the King was briefed on the master plan and work progress of Amaala project, with the attendance of the Crown Prince, who is the Chairman of the founding board of Amaala project, said a statement by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). the Saudi sovereign wealth fund had in September announced the launch of Amaala, which will become an ultra-luxury tourism destination on the Kingdom’s north-western coast.

The King received Amaala project team led by CEO Mr. Nicholas Naples, who “presented a visual presentation on the project and its economic and development objectives to create an innovative and unique concept in ultra-luxury tourism focusing on wellness, meditation, well-being and the art of healthy living,” the statement said.

The resort development’s masterplan, approved by its board, also was presented to the King at the reception as the first project within Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve to become a global destination in the luxury tourism sector.

King Salman “praised the project's goals to contribute to economic diversification, the creation of investment opportunities for the private sector and to develop the tourism industry in the Kingdom while preserving cultural and environmental heritage,” the statement added.

In the central region of Qassim, King Salman earlier this month marked the completion of 402 projects across 12 government sectors, worth SAR 12.15 billion, and also laid the foundations for 199 new or planned projects across five government sectors there, worth a total of SAR 4.2 billion. Those government-sector projects will benefit a wide range of sectors such as transport, education, roads, environment, water and electricity, public services and housing. Meanwhile, on the second leg of the tour, in Hail in the northwest, the King had unveiled development projects worth more than SAR 7 billion.

In Tabuk, King Salman was received upon his arrival on Monday evening at the headquarters of the ceremony at King Khalid Sports City, by Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Tabuk region. Upon the arrival of the King at the main podium, he was warmly welcomed by the people.  

The King was accompanied also by a number of princes and senior officials.  

“A group of distinguished people of the region were honored by the King who and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince received memorial gifts from the governor,” the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Afterwards, a banquet for the King and those attending was held by the governor. 

Details of SAR 6.89 billion in projects in Tabuk region unveiled by the King

 These projects include the following: 

• Ministry of Education:                                                         SAR 1.58 billion 

• Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture:         SAR 1.49 billion 

• Ministry of Transport:                                                          SAR 1.63 billion 

• Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs                          SAR 757.7 million 

• Ministry of Housing                                                             SAR 407.8 million

• Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage     SAR 98.3 million

• Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources    SAR 45.86 million 

• Saudi Port Authority                                                            SAR 876.1 million 

• GRAND TOTAL FOR ALL PROJECTS                                    SAR 6.89 billion

-Ends-

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© Press Release 2018