Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session held at Al-Salam Palace here today. At the outset of the session, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was reassured about the services provided by all concerned government agencies for Umrah performers and visitors of the holy places, particularly during the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadan which witness an increased number of visitors. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has directed to provide all means that enable visitors of the Kaaba and the two holy mosques to perform Umrah comfortably. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques also urged them to redouble their efforts during these blessed days to gain Allah's satisfaction and to be aware of the enormous responsibility of the Kingdom towards serving the most sacred places in the world. In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session, the Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz bin Mohieddin Khoja said that the Cabinet listened to a report by Prince Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, on the outcome of the 17th meeting of Governors of Provinces which was held in Makkah yesterday. Prince Naif stressed the keenness of all governors on implementing the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince with regard to meeting the needs of citizens and achieving greater security and prosperity for the homeland and citizens. The Cabinet listened to a report by the Minister of Finance on the results of discussions held by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on 2010 Article IV Consultation with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Fund praised the fiscal and monetary policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that has contributed to easing the global financial crisis on the Kingdom's economy. The Fund positively evaluated the durability and safety of the banking system as well as the role of government specialized lending institutions in providing credit for small and medium enterprises. The Fund also praised the government's strategy to enhance the efficient use of resources and investment in renewable energy. The Fund supported the policy of Saudi Riyal exchange rate, commending the progress made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing based on an assessment by both the International Financial Group and the Middle East & North Africa Financial Action Task Force. The Cabinet reviewed the Fund's comments on other economic policies of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. --More
