King Abdullah has instructed Abdullah Zainal, the Minister of Trade and Industry, to merge contracting companies to convert them into larger organizations in order to accelerate works on development projects across the Kingdom. Speaking at an open meeting with contractors and businessmen in Hail on Thursday, Zainal said the King made the move in response to the number of construction projects being delayed. “The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques told me: ‘Try and merge contracting companies into larger companies',” the minister informed the meeting. “Works are being held up because of contractors failing to work with due seriousness, and merging should bring about larger companies with the capabilities to carry out development works, fulfill contracts and meet deadlines.” Zainal did not reveal when the King issued the order, but said that he had since met “three or four times” with contractors over the issue. The minister said he had not, however, been met with an entirely satisfactory response during those meetings, although he added that there were “three contracting companies currently under merger”. “I have met with their representatives and presented some ideas, and they should be registered within the next couple of days,” he said. On another note, Zainal rejected the establishment of a “high commission for contractors”. “Not everything needs a commission,” he said. “There's an engineers' commission, an accountants' commission and all sorts of others.” Zainal added that companies and organizations would from the end of the current year be registered at chambers of commerce and industry instead of ministry branches.
