JEDDAH: The Shoura Council approved a number of resolutions pertaining to the annual report of the Ministry of Defense for the fiscal year 1437/1438 AH, which supports the efforts of the Ministry and its plans to develop its employees and various sectors.
This came on Tuesday during the work of the Council’s 44th ordinary session of the second year of the seventh session held under the chairmanship of the president of the council, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Mahtani.
The council has also approved another resolution concerning the draft regulations against fraud and breach of trust. The draft law deals with criminal offenses relating to companies listed on the Saudi stock market overseen by the Capital Market Authority for crimes of forgery or falsification of documents or provision of false or misleading financial statements. The draft law also includes developing mechanisms to address this issue, as well as defining the role of each entity in this regard.
The draft law consists of 14 articles and aims to combat all types of fraud, in addition to destroying money and squandering it on purpose.
On the other hand, the Council has also approved the draft regulations for imams and muezzins in the Grand Mosque.
The Regulations consist of 30 articles and aim to organize the affairs of imams and muezzins in the Grand Mosque, and determining their rights, duties and responsibilities.
The council has also requested Saudi Customs to activate the Authorized Economic Operator program adopted by the World Customs Organization, and to include in their reports the volume of adulterated goods imported in the Saudi market through coordination with other government agencies.
The council then discussed the report of the Committee on Economics and Energy on the annual report of the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy for the year 1437/1438 AH.
In its recommendations to the council, the committee called on the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to set fourth mechanisms and funding organizations encouraging the private sector to invest in the field of nuclear energy and maximizing local content in their projects, in collaboration with the banking sector and government lending funds.
The committee has also urged King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy to work with stakeholders to identify local reserves of uranium ore and their exploitation to meet domestic demand in the future.
The committee also called for the city to address challenges of infrastructure necessary for the implementation of the solar energy project to be constructed with SoftBank Vision Fund, and passing the appropriate legislation to make it more competitive. The committee also urged the city to include in its future reports a timeframe for its plans, performance indicators for its strategy, and completion rates of the atomic and renewable energy programs.
Saudi Arabia's Shoura Council concentrates on Ministry of Defense and anti-fraud regulations
Saudi Arabia's Shoura Council concentrates on Ministry of Defense and anti-fraud regulations
- The Shoura Council approves a number of resolutions pertaining to the annual report of the Ministry of Defense, which supports the efforts of the Ministry and its plans to develop its employees and various sectors
- The council approved another resolution concerning the draft regulations against fraud and breach of trust
Saudi envoy in Morocco highlights growing ties, Hajj facilitation efforts
- Sami bin Abdullah Al-Saleh underscores Makkah Route project
- Last year, services provided for 314,337 pilgrims via 899 flights
RIYADH: Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Sami bin Abdullah Al-Saleh has highlighted the deep historical ties between the two countries, recent efforts to boost relations, and ease travel procedures for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
During a press conference with Moroccan media representatives at the embassy in Rabat, Al-Saleh noted the multi-sector agreements signed to enhance cooperation aimed at boosting Saudi investments in Morocco.
He also reviewed ongoing measures taken by Saudi Arabia to facilitate procedures for pilgrims from Islamic and Western countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
Al-Saleh provided a detailed explanation of the Makkah Route initiative, which streamlines visa and other administrative procedures for Moroccan pilgrims.
The initiative has been implemented by the Ministry of Interior at 12 airports in eight countries. The countries are Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, Cote d’Ivoire, and the Maldives.
In last year’s Hajj, the Makkah Route served 314,337 pilgrims via 899 flights from the initiative’s dedicated lounges in their respective countries, the SPA reported.
The initiative is designed to provide high-quality, streamlined services to pilgrims from participating countries by completing key travel procedures in their home countries.
These procedures include collecting biometric data, electronic Hajj visas, completing passport control at departure airports after health verification, and coding and sorting luggage in line with each pilgrim’s transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom.
Upon arrival, pilgrims are transferred by bus to their residences in Makkah and Madinah, while their luggage is delivered directly by partner agencies.
Last year, an 82-year-old Moroccan pilgrim, Munira, praised officials for the welcome she received at the Makkah Route terminal, noting that the initiative represents a major improvement in streamlining Hajj procedures.
Another Moroccan pilgrim, 60-year-old Naima Nadim, expressed deep appreciation for the warm reception and smooth procedures at the Makkah Route terminal at the airport.
“Everything was organized with kindness. Smiles never left the faces of the staff — it felt like they were sharing in my joy,” she added.
