17 August 2017

By MOHAMMED AL-SULAMI

JEDDAH: Adviser to King Salman and Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal on Wednesday attended the signing ceremony in Jeddah of an agreement to enhance cooperation and promote investment opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The deal also aims to combat cover-up businesses, promote the perfume industry and stimulate entrepreneurship in the Makkah region.

Ghassan bin Ahmed Al-Sulaiman, governor of the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (GASME), signed the deal with the Integrated Development Center (IDC), which was represented by Saad bin Mohammed Mariq, adviser to the Makkah governor.

According to the deal, the two parties will work to develop entrepreneurship in the Makkah region; promote local content in services and products; contribute to developing SMEs; enhance competitive advantages of different sectors in the region; and boost the role of women in business.

The deal also includes the formation of a committee to follow up the implementation of the agreement including the development of the perfume industry in a manner that will efficiently raise total production, contribute positively to the gross domestic product (GDP) and provide job opportunities.

Makkah Development Authority approves Al-Faisaliyah project.

The Makkah Development Authority has approved the executive program of Al-Faisaliyah project.

In its fourth meeting, which was held in Jeddah on Tuesday and attended by Makkah Region Deputy Gov. Prince Abdullah bin Bandar, Hajj Minister Mohammed Bentin, Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, and mayors of Makkah, Jeddah and Taif, the council explored the executive plans of the Al-Faisaliyah project and a proposal for the establishment of an independent management body at the secretariat of the Makkah Development.

The meeting also explored the general situation of the projects at the holy sites including the shading projects near train stations in Mina; construction of toilet complexes in Mina, Muzdalifah and Arafat; completion of the slaughtering waste processing plant in Al-Miaisim; implementation of feeding lines to treatment plant tanks; the construction of concrete stairs for pedestrians in the northern part of Jebel Al-Rahma; and preparation of infrastructure around train stations in Arafat and Muzdalifah.

© Arab News 2017