Faisal, the Emir of Makkah, says Taif will get a large share of development projects, worth a massive SR6 billion. Addressing a press conference, after presiding over the Local Council for the Taif Governorate on Saturday, he said that last year Taif got development projects worth SR500 million. “Now work is under way on a number of development projects with a total cost of SR1 billion, in addition to other projects worth more than SR3 billion which will be carried out very soon.” “I am pleased to see several projects are progressing. What pleases me more is the optimism that distinguished all the speeches made by officials in Taif and Makkah.” “These projects serve as a model for the governorates all over the Kingdom.” He said he was pleased to see the ambitious spirit in Taif and hoped it could be reflected in other regions. Referring to future projects in Makkah, he said “We demanded that the private sector contribute at least 40 percent of the total cost of the projects included in the strategy and 10-year plan for this region, but regrettably there was the global financial crisis, which affected the world economy in all countries. We found an excuse for them last year and we will find an excuse this year, but we will not excuse them next year.” About the water crisis in Taif, he said “Taif will have the lion's share and a big stake of the desalinated water.” On undeveloped districts in Taif, he said that there are plans to set up a company to take over this task. However, until this company is set up “we cannot start”. He said that lack of drain networks for floods was not limited to Makkah, but was rather a problem all over the country. King Abdullah has ordered that this problem be solved all over the Kingdom and not only in Taif, he said. Prince Khaled began his tour Saturday in Taif and was received by Fahd Bin Mu'ammar, Governor of Taif, senior government officials and dignitaries. Earlier Saturday Prince Khaled presided over the Makkah's Regional Council meeting, which discussed a number of issues facing the region, including divorce rates, state of prisons, drugs, the youth and development projects. The council also reviewed a number of water projects that have been completed and others still under way. The council was also briefed on the 10-year plan for the provision of drinking water and sanitary drainage services, including an assessment of the underway projects and the reasons for some delays. The council spent some time discussing transport and telecommunications, and praised the progress so far on the Al-Haramain and Al-Masha'er railway lines. The council reviewed the minutes of the meetings held by the local councils of the governorates in Taif, Al-Qunfudah, Al-Jumoom, Al-Kamil, Turabah and Al
