Arab News, Monday, Oct 18, 2021 | Rabi Al-Awwal 12, 1443
Crown prince launches new development plan for three key Saudi regions
Saudi Arabia: There’s more to Saudi
Arabia than its big cities — and to prove it, the Kingdom launched strategic
offices on Sunday to drive development in three key regions.
The offices will form the basis for the
establishment of development authorities in Al-Baha, Al-Jouf, and Jazan, said
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
They will aim to capitalize on the advantages that
each of the three areas has to offer, and ensure the development of a strong
investment environment attracting private sector engagement.
The launch of the strategic offices is part of the
government’s strategy to extend development to all regions and cities of the
Kingdom. The crown prince said further strategic offices would be established in
areas where there are not yet any development agencies.
They will focus on investing in the distinct
features and advantages of each region to transform them into sustainable and
permanent economic drivers, and the private sector will play a key role in the
the development plans.
They new strategic offices are part of the crown
prince’s vision to bring comprehensive and sustainable development to all
regions of the Kingdom, expanding job opportunities, and improving living
standards by upgrading basic services and infrastructure.
Al-Baha is one of the most popular tourist
destinations in the Kingdom. The region includes a large number of forests and
is home to many ancient villages and forts.
Al-Jouf is known as the “food basket of the
Kingdom,” containing fertile land with abundant water resources. It is
responsible for about 67 percent of the Kingdom’s olive oil production.
Jazan is home to the Farasan Islands and Jazan
Port, the third-largest port on the Red Sea coast.