The government will soon establish a new port in Ras Al-Zour for exporting minerals, Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry announced yesterday. This will increase the total number of seaports in the Eastern Province to four, he added. Speaking to reporters after attending the launch of a new ship named Al-Zamil 13 in Dammam, he said the land-bridge project linking the Kingdom's east with west was progressing well, as tenders would be called shortly to carry out the landmark project. Eastern Province Governor Prince Muhammad bin Fahd launched the ship, which was built by Al-Zamil for Maintenance and Operations. He also gave the green signal to build four more ships. Al-Seraisry commended the Al-Zamil Company for its marine transport services. The minister said the government had allocated SR7 billion for road projects in its 2005 budget and SR8 billion for this year. "We have already invited tenders to implement half of these projects," he said. --MORE 11 18 Local Time 08 18 GMT
