The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the cabinet's session at Al-Salam palace.
The Minister of Media Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said in a statement to the Saudi Press Agency that the Cabinet reviewed at the beginning of the session a number of reports on latest developments at Arab, regional and international arenas and expressed its hope that the advent of the new Hijri year 1440 AH will be a breakthrough for various crises and an end to the hotbeds of tension in the world, and a year of the good and blessing for Arab and Islamic nations during which security and stability be achieved all over the world.
The Cabinet commended the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the keenness of the two sides to promote and develop them in all fields. In this context, it congratulated President Dr. Arif Alvi on the occasion of his swearing-in as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Cabinet reiterated the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the double bombing targeting a sports club, the attack near a motorcade in the Afghan capital of Kabul and offered condolences to the families of the victims and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's government and people, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.
The cabinet confirmed in this context the Kingdom's solidarity and stand by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan against violence, extremism and terrorism.
On the domestic level, the Cabinet expressed its satisfaction with the content of Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA)'s 54th annual report of positive statistical indicators for 2017 which highlighted the ability of the Kingdom's economy to adapt to the changes and confirmed the strength of the financial and banking sectors, expressing its optimism about the financial and economic indicators that emerged during the first half of the current fiscal year 2018 of the ability of the Saudi economy to adapt to the reforms adopted during the past two years through the achievement of good growth rates contributing to supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad said that the Cabinet reviewed the topics on its agenda, including subjects co-studied by the Shura Council and took the following decisions:
First:
The Cabinet approved a protocol on cooperation in combating crime between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Second:
The Cabinet approved a memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning visit visas to citizens of both countries.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Third:
The Cabinet approved an agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Russian Federation for cooperation in the field of exploring space and using outer space for peaceful purposes.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Fourth:
The Cabinet authorized the Chairman of the Board of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), or his deputy, to sign a Multi-Party Draft Memorandum of Understanding on consultation, cooperation and exchange of information among the regulators of the Arab Capital Market Members in the Arab Union of Securities Commissions, submit the final signed version to complete the formal procedures.
Fifth:
The Cabinet approved amendment of the anti-bribery regulation issued by the Royal Decree No. M / 36 dated 29/12/1412 AH as detailed in the decision.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Sixth:
The Cabinet approved that the management of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's project for utilization of sacrificial meat shall follow up operating contractors to make sure that they do not rise the costs of services being provided for seasonal workers during performing their Hajj rituals and encouraging operating contractors to make use of the local workers of citizens or others to work for them in slaughterhouses during the Hajj season and to maintain the level of low coupon prices of the sacrificed meat competitive in the market.
Seventh:
The Cabinet decided to amend Article (25) of the State Revenue Regulations, issued by Royal Decree No. M / 68 dated 18/11/1431 H, as stated in the resolution.
A royal decree has been prepared in this regard.
Eighth:
The Cabinet approved the regulations of workers' housing outside the city and applying these regulations to those who wish to build housing for workers outside the city.
Ninth:
The Cabinet approved the membership of the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) in the International Association of Deposit Insurers, in accordance with its primary law.
Tenth :
The Cabinet approved promotions to the 15th rank and the positions of (Ambassador) and (Minister Plenipotentiary) as follows :
1- Mohammed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Shuaibi to the post of (Undersecretary for Services) at the 15th rank at the Governorate of the Eastern Region.
2 - The following are promoted to the position of (ambassador) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah Al-Busairi.
- Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Suhaibani.
- Mohammed bin Abdulhadi bin Mohammed Al-Matrafi.
- Dr. Abdulaziz bin Ali bin Sa'ad Saqr.
3. The following are promoted to post of (Minister Plenipotentiary) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
- Prince Mansour bin Thunayan bin Mohammed Al Saud.
- Yousef bin Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Dubaie.
- Ibrahim bin Radhi bin Abdulrahman Al-Radhi.
- Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saad Abu-Ras.
- Assaf bin Abdul Razzaq bin Misha'al Sweilem.
- Dr. Manea bin Saad bin Saif Al-Khamisi.
The Cabinet reviewed a number of general issues on its agenda, including the annual reports of each of the Ministries of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the General Organization for Retirement, the Saudi Organization for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, and the General Authority for Civil Aviation, for previous financial years. The Cabinet took note of what on their contents and issued relevant instructions.
