Ministers have reacted positively to Monday's announcement of the state budget for 2010, describing it as “balanced” with an overall emphasis on public welfare and development projects, and responded to King Abdullah's warnings in his address that “it is the minister alone who will shoulder the blame” over any plans that fail to get off the ground by assuring that allocations will be used as required. “The budget will serve as an incentive for all ministers to work for the completion of the nation's projects without delay,” said Minister of Transport Jabarah Bin Eid Al-Suraisiry. Al-Suraisiry said the budget showed a good balance between sectors and brought a “large increase in projects compared to last year's.” “It comes from the King's vision and instructions to achieve balanced development in the country,” Al-Suraisiry said. Poverty eradication Yousuf Al-Othaimeen, Minister of Social Affairs, said that the new budget would speed up the campaign to eradicate poverty, describing it as a “budget for prosperity.” “The allocations for tackling poverty have been driven by the will to reduce the time frame for the eradication of the problem,” he said. “The ministry is determined to ensure the use of its budget allocation for the achievement of public interests,” Al-Othaimeen said. Ali Bin Soleiman Al-Atiya, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, said the new budget was a reflection of the success of the leadership's policies. “SR137.6 billion has been given to General and Higher Education and training the workforce,” Al-Atiya said. Investment in people Ghazi Al-Gosaibi, Minister of Labor, noted that 25 percent of the budget had gone to education and training. “This shows the will to achieve sustainable development,” Al-Gosaibi said. “The Kingdom is now among the 20 nations in notable financial positions, and this has to run in tandem with the abilities of the people, hence the large sums put into human development, education and training. This will serve to create new jobs in both the public and private sectors which will flourish with this investment.” 8 new hospitals The 2010 budget stipulates for eight new hospitals around the country and significant improvements to a further 19 already existing, as well the completion of the Primary Health Care Center projects. Medical staff training at home and abroad is also included. “The ministry is making great efforts to improve health services and performance,” said Minister of Health Abdul Aziz Al-Rabeah. Skillfully produced “A budget of welfare and growth”, was how the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry for Domestic Commerce, Hassan Fadhl Uqeil, described the budget. “The figures and allocations to various sectors will reflect back on the country and the public in terms of services,” Uqeil said. “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has skillfully managed to produce this huge budget with spending of over SR540 billion at a time when the world is suffering from a continual economic crisis.” Potable water for all Non-ministerial figures and organizations also voiced their support for the budget. The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) said that several future projects would be finished following the announcement of allocations. The Eastern Province Director of Operations and Maintenance at SWCC, Saleh Al-Zahrani, said the Ras Az-Zour Desalination Plant project would be put up for tender. “The 2,400 Megawatt and 1.025 million cubic meter plant will be the largest in the world when completed,” Al-Zahrani said. Significant impact The President of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals thanked the government on behalf of “all higher education staff” for its “increased support for education and training.” “The SR1.038 billion for the university in the new budget, an increase of 11 percent on last year, will have a significant impact on the completion of plans and projects the university is currently carrying out,” said Khalid Al-Sultan. Honesty and integrity Sheikh Abdul Aziz Aal Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, echoed King Abdullah's warnings to ministers in his budget address by calling for plans to be executed with “honesty and integrity.” “All those responsible for executing the budget should fear Allah in all performing their duties,” Al-Sheikh said. “They should carry out their tasks with honesty and integrity in obedience to Allah and then the ruler who has urged everyone to perform their duties and be pious in all they do.” – Okaz/SG – Nawaf Afet, Manal Al-Shareef, Abdul Mohsen Al-Harithy, Khalid Al-Balahadi also contributed to the report. __
