RIYADH: The Shoura Council has asked the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha) to work with relevant agencies to curb the rising number of cases involving irregularities in government purchasing.
The Council urged Nazaha to require government agencies with the highest number of bribery cases to review internal procedures in order to tackle the issue, at the19th ordinary session of the Council on Tuesday.
In another decision, the Council asked Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) to consider opening centers in major cities to receive baggage and finalize travel procedures.
Later, the Council called on the Saudi Export Development Authority (SEDA) to coordinate with Saudi Arabian businesses abroad to boost exports.
In another decision, the Shoura Council asked the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS) to determine key mining opportunities and coordinate with the Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources to provide projects as investment opportunities to public and private sector companies. It also urged SGS to complete studies on flood risks in all parts of the Kingdom.
Then the Council heard a report presented by the Committee of Hajj, Housing and Services based on the annual report of the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The Council asked the Ministry to disclose the number of consulting contracts that had been signed to carry in different areas and to specify the salaries of non-Saudis involved in these contracts.
The Council has approved a study of an anti-obesity system, recommended by the House Health Committee, after the obesity rates rose by more than 70 percent, notably among children and youths.
It was important to combat weight problems in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, to reduce the cost of treating conditions related to obesity, the committee said.
Saudi Shoura asks National Anti-Corruption Commission to address irregularities in govt purchases
Saudi Shoura asks National Anti-Corruption Commission to address irregularities in govt purchases
Foreign ministers chair Saudi-Omani coordination council meeting in Muscat
MUSCAT: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi on Monday.
They reviewed bilateral relations between their nations and ways to enhance and develop them across various fields. Additionally, they discussed regional and international developments.
The ministers co-chaired the third meeting of the Saudi-Omani Coordination Council in the Omani capital, Muscat, with the participation of the heads of the Council’s subsidiary committees and the two heads of the Council’s General Secretariat teams.
The meeting comes as an affirmation of the keenness of Saudi and Omani leaders to strengthen ties and advance them toward greater prosperity for both nations.
In his remarks during the meeting, Prince Faisal affirmed that gathering builds on the previous council meeting, held last year in AlUla, and on its positive and fruitful outcomes within the framework of the approved recommendations and initiatives.
He stressed the importance of continuing the work of the council’s subsidiary committees to complete the necessary procedures to implement the remaining initiatives, and of the General Secretariat’s role in follow-up and in addressing any challenges that may hinder implementation.
He also underscored the importance of developing and enhancing trade relations, stimulating investment, and strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
He also praised the ongoing work to establish and launch the Coordination Council’s electronic platform, which aims to connect all committee work and initiatives to facilitate follow-up on the Council’s progress.
Al-Busaidi affirmed in his remarks the qualitative progress in relations between the two countries and the notable development witnessed across numerous sectors toward achieving economic integration and enhancing intra-trade and joint investments.
The Omani foreign minister also highlighted deeper cooperation in the security and judicial fields, as well as the cultural and tourism sectors, noting the advanced and continuous political cooperation, consultation, and coordination on regional and international issues.
