RIYADH – The Shoura Council approved mandatory third party insurance for high-risk factories and firms as well as residential buildings in densely populated areas in the country. Private companies and establishments that run government activities on contract basis must also have third party insurance cover, according to a new law passed by the council during a session chaired by its chairman Abdullah Al-Sheikh on Sunday. The Shoura voted the proposal into law after listening to viewpoints of its Finance Committee on reservations and comments made by council members about compelling owners of factories and residential buildings to have insurance coverage. Saad Mareq, chairman of the committee, read out the draft law. Fahd Al-Hamad, assistant chairman of the council, said the Shoura approved the annual report of the Haj Ministry. It urged the ministry to expedite efforts to draw up a comprehensive working strategy for Haj and Umrah-related issues for the coming 25 years in line with an earlier council decision. The council asked the ministry to complete handover procedures of tent sites to the concerned Haj service providers at least two months before the beginning of Dhul Haj. It also stressed the need for improving public utility services inside the Mashair railway stations and to take steps to prevent a repeat of operational problems experienced last Haj.
