Saudi National Day

Saudi Arabia celebrates 78th National Day

Comprehensive, civilized achievements in various domains

King Abdulaziz unified the country on basis of holy Quran, Sunnah

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia celebrated on Tuesday (September 23), the 78th anniversary of the country's National Day.

On this day, King Abdulaziz announced the unification of the country under the name of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the basis of the Holy Quran and Sunnah (Prophet's sayings) and on the path of the venerable forefathers.

The First Saud state was established in 1157 AH when Imam Mohammed bin Saud decided to support the call of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul-Wahab which was aimed at returning to the proper Islam.

In 1240 AH, the Second Saudi state was established under the leadership of Imam Turki bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Saud who proceeded ahead on the path of his forefathers.

In 1319 AH, a new era began when King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman al-Saud retook Riyadh and laid the foundation for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the basis of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

After the unification of the country on the basis of Islam, King Abdulaziz followed the same pattern in his country's foreign relations.

He called for Arab cooperation and Muslim solidarity and positively contributed to the establishment of the Arab league, and the Kingdom participated in the United Nations as a founder member. Moreover, King Abdulaziz had had a say in regional and international events.

King Abdulaziz had extended big attention to the Palestinian cause and did his best to give support to the Palestinians and to enable them restore their legitimate rights.

After the death of King Abdulaziz, he was succeeded by King Saud who followed the footsteps of his great father.

King Saud was followed by King Faisal. During the era of King Faisal, the Kingdom began to implement its ambitious five-year development plans.

During the era of King Khalid, who succeeded King Faisal, the Kingdom steadily went ahead on the path of progress and development.

King Fahd, who succeeded King Khalid, did his best to accomplish further achievements and progress.

Following the death of King Fahd on 26/06/1426 AH, King Abdullah ascended to the throne as the King of the country in line with the fifth article of the country's basic rule system.

In line with the same article, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz was named as the Crown Prince.

King Abdullah announced that he will follow the footsteps of his father King Abdulaziz and his sons.

He pledged to abide by the Holy Quran as the constitution of the country and to devote his time to enhancing the pillars of justice and services for citizens.

King Abdullah expressed his deep sorrow over the demise of King Fahd and said his death was a great loss not only to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also to the entire world.

He described him as the leader who had dedicated his efforts for the service of his nation and enhancing the pillars of the global peace and stability.

He reiterated the Kingdom's keenness on serving the Arab and Muslim causes.

During the era of King Abdullah, the Kingdom witnessed several development achievements.

The current general budget allocated large sums of money to realize development of the human workforce which constitutes the basic pillar of the comprehensive development.

He announced the establishment of several economic cities like King Abdullah economic city in Rabigh, and Prince Abdulaziz bin Musaed economic city in Hail.

Within two years, the number of universities in the country jumped from 8 to about 20.

King Abdullah has been giving big attention to the stability and security of the country.

The system of the allegiance was one of the most important developments during King Abdullah's era. He did his best to develop the educational system and the judicial system.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been extending great attention to pilgrims and he is always keen on enabling them to perform Hajj rituals in comfort and ease.

At the political arena, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been adhering to the policy formulated ever since the era of the Late King Abdulaziz, which is based on moderation, wisdom and farsightedness.

At the foreign arena, the Kingdom has been working for the service of Islam and Muslims and supporting their causes.

At the economic domain, the Kingdom has been developing the infrastructure projects. An amount of SR 165 billion was allocated in the budget of this fiscal year for spending on the new and existing projects. These projects will positively contribute to raising the growth rate and making job opportunities available.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has been giving the utmost attention to the citizens. In 1426 AH, he ordered raising by 15 percent the salaries of the Saudis working at the public sector, including military and civil services.

In the same year, he ordered allocation of SR 8 billion from the surplus of the budget of the fiscal year 1425-1426 AH for projects of popular housing in the Kingdom's regions.

The King also ordered raising the capitals of some development funds by SR 25 billion.

Meanwhile, the General Investment Fund was supported by SR 20 billion in the budget of the fiscal year 1427-1428 AH.

The initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz have been continuing in the provision of decent livelihoods for the people of this country.

The Cabinet decided in the month of Muharram (this year) to add cost of living allowance in addition to hike in the salaries of state employees and retirees by a cumulative amount of five per cent for three years. In addition, addition the state will bear fifty per cent of customs duties and fees of passports, driving licenses and vehicles registration as well as renewal of residence permits for home employment, along with an increase in social security benefits by 10 per cent.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz cares for the general conditions of citizens and those with low incomes by extension of grants in kind to all those affected by the cold waves which hit some parts of the Kingdom in the winter of this year. The King also directed and approved urgent assistance worth SR 654 Million for beneficiaries of social security insurance covering winter affected people to face severe cold waves. The total annual amount of direct subsidies has reached an amount of SR 12 billion.

With regard to the crisis of the prices of food commodities, which is essentially a global phenomenon, and in response to the directives of the wise leadership in this context, the cabinet approved in the last spring season other arrangements for long-and short-term bases in order to achieve food security of the Kingdom, and the provision of basic food commodities for citizens and residents, easing the burden borne by the citizens due to significant rise in the prices of sugar, goods , agricultural products and livestock, ensuring the needs of the country's goods without fluctuation or disappearance of some of them.

The Eighth Development Plan 1425 /1430 AH came to build on what has been accomplished in previous plans and to embody a fresh start in the course of development. As such, it has been prepared in accordance with a strategic perspective aimed at achieving sustainable development. The 8th development plan has focused on the priorities, especially putting in the forefront the preservation of the Islamic values, promotion of national unity, national security and social stability in addition to raising the living standards and providing jobs for citizens.

It also came to enhance manpower and raise their efficiency, diversify the economic base and increase the contribution of the private sector in development. It also focused on achieving balanced development between regions of the Kingdom and the development of sciences, technology and Informatics and encouraging scientific research and technological development in addition to the preservation of water resources, development and environmental protection.

The Kingdom has surpassed the ceiling set by the UN for 2000 (millennium declaration) as regards development targets.

The Kingdom used the surplus of the last fiscal years for reducing the public debt from SR 660 billion in 1423-1424 AH to SR 267 billion in 1427-1428AH. During this year's fiscal year, 3200 contracts were signed with a total value of SR83 billion.

Moreover, King Abdullah University for Sciences ad Technology was established in addition to industrial cities; and support was extended to the social and health services.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has always been keen on visiting various regions of the country to get acquainted with the problems of the citizens.

He also used to meet with the Ulema, Sheikhs and Citizens. He also gives top importance to the security of the country.

The System of Allegiance and its executive statute were issued and the judicial system was updated, and an amount of SR 7 billion was allocated for the development of the judicial system.

As regards humanitarian activities, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is keen on assisting victims of natural disasters all around the world.

On the Islamic arena, Islamic issues and developments get the largest share of the attention of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, who in his address at the Third Extraordinary Summit in Makkah (December 8, 2005) had spoken on the need to awaken the Islamic nation and called for the fraternal integration of Muslim peoples and countries to reach a common understanding in inter-relations and with other countries. In his address, the King had also urged for working hard to resolve problems of poor nations through a special fund to support them and make these nations stand on their feet.

The King had said the Islamic unity would not be brought by bloodshed as advocated by extremists and deviant groups. "Moreover, blasphemy and extremism can not be generated in a land that propagates tolerance and moderation. Here comes the role of the Islamic Fiqh Academy, in its new form in resisting extremist thinking in all its forms and types."

"The methodology of gradualism is the road to success, which begins with consultation in each of our political, economic, cultural and social developments to reach the stage of real solidarity and unity represented in the institutions which will restore the Muslim nation's place in Power equations, " the King had said.

He has said the nature of a Moslem lies in his faith, knowing principles and morals, which the Prophet of mercy had advocated. The King had also said "You will agree with me that the upgrading of education and development curriculum is a prerequisite for building personal tolerance among Muslim community to build a community that rejects isolation or antagonize others, and facilitate interactions with the entire humanity.

In another aspect of concern for Islam and Muslims, Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz continues servicing the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah. The Government spent more than SR 70 billion in recent years only for the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, including the expansion of the Two Holy Mosques and the development of surrounding areas, development of service networks, tunnels and roads.

During his visits to Madinah, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz laid the foundation stone for the eastern areas of the Prophet's Mosque. The cost of the remaining works of the expansion project at the Prophet's Mosque amounts to about SR 4.7 billion.

The project of the jamrat zone was implemented at a total cost of about SR 4 billion.

The project will enable the pilgrims to perform the ritual of jamrat in ease.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was awarded King Faisal International Prize for the service of Islam for this year. The prize reiterates his great role in the service of Islam and Muslims.

In a speech, while opening the fourth session of the Shoura council, he had said that Islam makes it an essential matter to spread justice.

The King reiterated the keenness of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on supporting the Arab and Muslim causes, notably the Palestinian cause. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the 19th Arab summit on March 28-29, 2007.

The Riyadh declaration had emphasized the importance of developing the joint Arab work in various domains as well as spreading the values of moderation, tolerance, dialogue and openness in addition to rejecting all forms of terrorism and extremism, and to make sure that the region is free from weapons of mass destruction.

The 19th Arab summit called for the activation of the Arab peace initiative and reiterated the adherence of the Arabs to the option of justice and comprehensive peace.

The declaration reiterated the right of all countries to acquire nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in line with the international systems and regulations. King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited a number of fraternal countries and held talks with their leaders on issues of mutual interest. He also visited China, India, Malaysia, and Pakistan in response to official invitations.

During the period from 30 Rabee Alakher 1428 AH to 13 Jumada Alakher 1428 AH, The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited a number of countries including the Kingdom of Morocco; the Kingdom of Spain; the French Republic; the Republic of Poland, the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

He also paid official visits from 17th Shawal 1428 AH to 1st thu al-qedah 1428 AH to the United Kingdom; the Republic of Italy; the Federal Republic of Germany; the Republic of Turkey and the Arab Republic of Egypt in response to invitations received from the leaders of these countries.

The economic and development cooperation issues were the main discussion points in his visits which opened up new opportunities of cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and these countries.

Also, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz discussed with the leaders and heads of countries who have visited Saudi Arabia, issues and problems at regional and international levels.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has distinct attitudes toward the noble Arab and Islamic issues, foremost among them the Palestinian cause.

He continued the stance of his father - the King Abdulaziz in supporting the cause politically, financially and morally with constant pursuits to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people to return to their land and establish an independent state on their national territory and adopt the Al-Quds (Jerusalem) issue and uphold it with all means.

In this context, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz when he was the country's Crown Prince had presented a vision for comprehensive settlement of the Palestinians' just cause of eight principles known as the "Draft of Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz" submitted to the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002. The draft was accepted at Arab and international levels and then adopted by 2002 summit and in all subsequent summits held in Riyadh and became an Arab Peace Initiative.

The King also suggested at the Arab conference held in Cairo in October 2000 to establish a Fund under the name of Al-Quds Intifada with a capital of $200 million allocated for the maintenance of the families of Palestinian martyrs who were killed in the uprising in addition to establishment of another Fund under the name of Al-Aqsa Fund with $800 million to finance projects to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and prevent its obliteration. The Kingdom has contributed a quarter of the amount allocated to these two funds.

In July 2006, the King directed allocation of a grant of $250 million to the Palestinian people to be the nucleus of an international Arab Fund to rebuild Palestine.

With the emergence of a disagreement between the Palestinians factions, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz took a quick decision and had invited the leaders of the Palestinian People to hold a meeting in the vicinity of the Holy Mosque in Makkah to discuss their discord without interference to reach urgent solutions to what had been happening in the Palestinian arena.

Palestinian leaders had responded to this invitation as President of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Khalid Meshal, the chairman of the Political Bureau of Hamas, and Ismail Haniyeh had held meetings in Makkah with the presence of a number of officials in Fatah and Hamas.

These extensive meetings had been crowned with success with the endorsement of the Makkah Agreement, which was announced in the presence of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at Assafa palace in the month of Muharram 1428 AH.

On Lebanon, the Kingdom condemned the Israeli military operations against the country, and urged the international community to shoulder its responsibility as regards the Israeli aggression.

Moreover, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz had called for organizing donation campaigns for helping Lebanon and ordered depositing $1 billion at the Lebanese central bank for supporting the Lebanese economy.

He also ordered allocation of $500 million gift for the Lebanese people to become a nucleus for an International Arab Fund for the reconstruction of Lebanon.

At Paris conference, held in 2007, the Kingdom extended assistance to Lebanon amounting to $1 billion in addition to a $100 million gift to the Lebanese government.

Shouldering its responsibility towards the Arab world, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz mediated between Sudan and Chad, and the two countries signed an agreement in May 2007 for developing bilateral relations.

In Ramadan 1428 AH, Somali reconciliation conference was held in Jeddah.

As regards Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirmed the importance of the international cooperation for ensuring security and stability in the country.

The Kingdom supports the principles of peace, justice and human rights, and it tirelessly fights terrorism and crime in line with the teachings of Islam. In the field of dialogue of civilizations, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz called for enhancing this dialogue.

In a statement to the Russian Itar-Tass news agency, the King had said civilizations of the world had benefited from each other and the human development proved the integration of the civilizations.

In this respect, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz launched the prize of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for translation.

In order to enhance the dialogue with followers of other religions and cultures, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz recently patronized the international Islamic dialogue conference, organized by the Muslim World League.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is keen on unifying the Arab ranks and containing all dangers that may threaten the Arabs and Muslims notably the sectarian seditions especially in Iraq and Lebanon.

At the International Energy Forum held in Riyadh in 2000, the Kingdom proposed the establishment of a General Secretariat for the Forum in Riyadh.

Moreover, the King had declared the allocation by the Kingdom of an amount worth $300 million to become a nucleus for a program that finances the researches pertaining to energy and environment as well as the climate change.

Last week, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz patronized Jeddah Energy Meeting. At the meeting, he declared the initiative of energy for the poor. This initiative aims at enabling the developing countries to confront the increasing cost of energy.

The King reiterated the readiness of the Kingdom to allocate an amount of $500 million as soft loans through the Saudi Fund for Development for financing projects in the developing countries.

Several countries have suffered from terrorism including Saudi Arabia.

Moreover, there have been allegations from the Western media that Islam is a religion of violence and terror in an attempt to label terrorism with Islam. In this context, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz had convened an international conference in Riyadh to combat terrorism. The conference, convened on February 5, 2005, was patronized by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and attracted participation of more than 50 Arab, Muslim and foreign countries along with a number of Arab, regional and international organizations.

In a speech at the opening ceremony of the conference, the King had called for establishment of an international center to combat terrorism. the Monarch had affirmed that it is our hope that this conference would start a new page of effective international cooperation for the establishment of an international community free of terrorism. " In this framework, I invite all States to establish an international centre to combat terrorism staffed by specialists in this area, " the King had said .The objective of the Center is to exchange and pass information instantly in line with the pace of events and avoid them before they occur.

The General Assembly of World Trade Organization validated at its meeting on the ninth of Shawwal 1426AH in Geneva on Saudi Arabia's documentation joining the World Trade Organization with the presence of the 148 Member States to make the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia become the 149th member of WTO.

In the context of foreign policy, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz is keen to opt for positive stances aimed at supporting world peace and prosperity of the entire world and well-being of humanity throughout the world. The King is always keen to bring about full support for cooperation between the Arab countries and the rest of the world.

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz has enlarged his foreign participation, which is quite obvious in his attendance at Arab, regional and international conferences and his effective contributions to lay strong foundations for an international community of peace, security and brotherhood.

Among the King's key participation was at the Millennium Summit of world countries organized by the Secretariat of the United Nations headquarters in New York. At that meeting, the King had announced Saudi Arabia's donation of thirty per cent of the proposed budget for the Preventive Action Fund.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has made big strides in the educational sphere.

The fiscal year 1428-1429 AH included the implementation of 2,074 educational projects for boys and girls throughout the Kingdom in addition to the under construction project that totals 4, 352.

The number of students at the primary, intermediate and secondary stages amounted to more than five million in the academic year 1428-1429 AH.

As regards girls' education, the number of female students in the academic year 1426-1427 AH amounted to 2,496,349.

The number of the female teachers amounted to 226,281.

The ministry education has been giving big attention to the schools of the Holy Quran memorization.

In 1426-1427AH, the number of the Holy Quran memorization schools amounted to 790 with 91, 264 students and 8,483 teachers.

As regards of Holy Quran memorization schools for girls they amounted by the end of 1426-1427AH to 867 with 102, 367 female students and 10, 374 female teachers.

Meanwhile, the ministry of education has been giving utmost attention to the sector of adult education and illiteracy eradication.

The number of schools of adults education in 1426-1427AH amounted to 944 with more than 22,637 students.

In the same year, the number of adults schools for women amounted to 2844 with 62, 441 female students.

On the other hand, the education ministry established 966 schools for handicapped students. These schools included 17,205 students and 5,186 teachers.

The schools of handicapped female students amounted to 116 with 4,802 and 1,880 teachers.

Realizing the importance of the health services, the education ministry has established 107 health units for students. These health units are provided with required qualified cadres and medical equipment.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reached a place of pride in health field and become an advanced medical center for many diseases, particularly heart and liver diseases as well as in the sphere of specialized surgeries.

The biggest success achieved by the Kingdom in the medical field is the separation of Siamese twins. The unprecedented success is attributed to the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The number of such operations for Siamese twins from Arab, Asian and European countries reached 18. The operations were conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, an affiliate of Health Affairs Directorate of the National Guard.

Also, the Kingdom established a specialized centre for organ transplants. The latest statistical reports issued by the Ministry of Health showed that the number of government and private hospitals in the Kingdom until 1427AH reached 386 with a capacity of 54,724 beds.

The statistics disclosed that the number of doctors working in the Ministry's hospitals totaled 21,265 while the pharmacists accounted for 1,023.

The statistics also showed that there are more than 1,970 dental clinics at health centers and hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health. As many as 1,500 dentists are working in these clinics throughout the Kingdom.

King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) is considered as the largest integrated health complex in the Middle East. The cost of establishing KFMC amounted to SR 2,300 million. It includes four integrated hospitals with a capacity of 1,095 beds.

The state's general budget for the fiscal year 1428/1429AH included new health projects for establishing and preparing more than 250 Primary Health Care centers in all regions of the Kingdom as well as establishing 8 hospitals with a capacity of 1,900 beds. The estimated cost of implementing these projects amounted to SR 6,300,000,000.

Ports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia handled in-coming and out-going cargo totaling 141 million tons excluding crude oil in 2007.

Out of this volume, exports amounted 83.5 million tons, comprising 59% of the total cargo. The most prominent of these exports were refined petroleum products, petrochemicals and industrial materials.

On the other hand, imports accounted for 57.5 million tons of the weight and the most important of these imports were foodstuffs, construction and raw materials as well as consumer goods.

The number of containers that have been received in the Saudi ports during the year 2007 reached about 4.2 million standard containers. Saudi Ports became an outlet for about 95% of its exports and imports.

Until the end of the fiscal year 2007, the Saudi government spent about SR 38 billion to establish and develop eight ports which include 184 quays capable of receiving the largest ships in the world and working around the clock throughout the year supported by the sophisticated guidance systems and navigational aids to ensure safety navigation of ships.

A report issued by the Saudi Ports Authority says that Saudi ports witnessed a big increase in number of received containers until it reached 1, 498, 993 standard containers in 2006, with a growth rate of 128% over the figure of 2003, in which the number of containers were 658, 518 standard ones.

The report stated that Saudi Ports Authority inaugurated with the advent of the fiscal year 1417 /1418 AH, a new working program which is based primarily on extending management of Ports facilities and port equipment to the private sector in a business-like manner according to the regulations included in the royal decree issued on 6 / 11 / 1417 AH.

The total investments by the private sectors in the ports' domain amounted to more than SR Four billion.

Thus, Saudi ports became an important source of state revenues. The revenue achieved more than SR 2,346,000,000 in 2006.

The number of the establishments which are participating in the system of the social insurance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia jumped by the end of 1428 to 163,764.

The establishments of the private sector constituted 99.3 percent of the total number while the establishments of the governmental sector constituted 0.7 percent.

The Saudi establishments participating in the social insurance system amounted to 161844 (98.83 percent) while the number of the non-Saudi establishments amounted to 1053 (064 percent).

According to the available statistics, the number of subscribers of the system of the social insurance, since the implementation of the system in 1-1-1393, up to the end of 1428 amounted to 11,427,557.

The subscribers included about 551,000 in the governmental sector (about 4.8 percent of the total subscribers).

The number of subscribers from the private sector since the implementation of the system up to the end of 1428 amounted to 10,876,540 (95.1 percent of the total number).

The statistics pointed out that the general organization for social insurance (GOSI) spent on the pension's branch up to the end of 1428 more than SR 43 billion. More than about two million subscribers benefited from that.

The number of those who benefited from the branch of vocational hazards amounted to about 1.4 million. Up to the end of 1428 GOSI spent about SR 4 billion on them.

GOSI Invests in most of the national companies and participates as a founder member or shareholder in 57 companies.

The total money invested in these companies amounted to more than SR 33.7 billion up to the end of 1428.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been giving big attention to the progress and development of agriculture and animal resources sectors.

Thanks to the blessings of Almighty Allah and the wise policy of the Saudi Leadership, the Kingdom has made big strides in the agricultural domain.

The state has been extending farmers with numerous incentives including soft and interest-free loans and free agricultural lands in addition to purchase of some crops with encouraging prices.

Despite the desert characteristics of the Kingdom and scarcity of water, yet the Kingdom has attained a significant agricultural development.

The Kingdom's agricultural policy is based on creation of balance between water security and food security in a manner that realizes sustainable agriculture and leads to diversification of the productive base.

The area cultivated with crops in 2006 amounted to 602653 hectares.

The area allocated for production of cereals and fodders by the end of 2006 amounted to about 740,000 hectares, while for vegetables' production in the same year totaled 111,000 hectares.

This area produced about 2.617 million tons of fresh vegetables, 469,000 tons of potatoes, 216,000 tons of musk melon, 385,000 ton of water melon and 242,000 tons of cucumbers.

In 2006, the Kingdom produced more than 1.55 million tons of fruits, and 977,000 tons of dates.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom produced 515 million chickens in 2006, and 3161 million eggs.

As regards animal resources, in 2006, the Kingdom had 382,000 heads of cows, 16,789,000 heads of sheep, and 879,000 heads of camels.

As regards dairy products, the Kingdom produced more than 1,380,000 tons of milk, 170,000 tons of red meat, 535,000 tons of poultry and 75,000 tons of fisheries.

The Saudi Government spent on projects of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) up to the end of the fiscal year 1427-1428 more than SR 62 billion.

The Kingdom knew water desalination since more than 80 years when King Abdulaziz ordered establishment of a water desalination station for providing Jeddah with desalinated water.

In 1394 the SWCC was established to undertake the responsibility of water desalination.

In 2007 the Kingdom produced more than 1066 million cubic meter of desalinated water.

Jubail station for desalination of water is considered as the biggest station of its kind at the world level. There also water desalination stations in Makkah, Madinah Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, Shakik and Khobar.

In 1427 the approval of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz was issued for increasing the desalinated water production from Shu'eiba station by 150,000 square meters per day for meeting the requirements in Jeddah.

During the fiscal year 1427-1428 about SR 4 billion were allocated for the SWCC, while in the fiscal Year 1428-1429 more than sr5,053,160,000 were allocated for the projects of water desalination.

The sources of the SWCC expect that the requirements for drinking water will amount to about six million cubic meter per day in 1446. The cost of establishing water desalination stations for the next years will amount to about SR 70 billion. The private sector will be capable of contributing to the implementation of water desalination projects.

In line with the Royal approval the private sector will contribute to the implementation of the project of Yanbu-Madinah at its third phase.

Arrangements are underway to implement water desalination stations in Wajh, Rabigh, al-Leith, Qunfuza, Farasan and Amluj. In 1407 a research and development center was established in Jubail. The center includes five basic laboratories which are provided with sophisticated equipment.

In 2005 the center was called the institute of water desalination research. Realizing the importance of training the national cadres the SWCC established in 1402 a training center in Jubail.

In recognition of its achievements in the field of water desalination, SWCC was awarded the prize of the international desalination organization for 1999.

The SWCC started since 1418 a national plan for the awareness of the citizens with the importance of water and the importance of rationalization of its consumption.

The existing 3906 productive factories in the Kingdom stand as a witness for the great industrial development attained in the country.

Up to the end of 1427 about 296.5 billion were invested in these factories.

The factories include factories of metal industries, chemical and plastic industries as well as factories of ceramic, building materials, textile, ready-made clothes and food materials.

The Kingdom's non-petroleum industrial exports in 2007 amounted to about SR 87.5 billion.

They were exported to more than 130 countries.

In 1396 the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) was established to become a pillar of industrial development and to produce metals, fertilizers and petrochemicals in line with the highest international standards.

SABIC's marketing activity extends to more than 100 countries. Through its 18 industrial complexes, SABIC's productive capacity amounted by the end of 2007 to 55 million metric tons, while its revenues in the same year jumped to SR 126.2 billion.

The reports released by the ministry of commerce and industry pointed out to the establishment of 14 industrial cities with an area of about 90 million square meter with 1800 factories with an invested capital of more than SR 60 billion, and 152,000 workers.

The consecutive development plans have underscored the importance of industry as a way for the diversification of the productive base and lessening dependence on exports of crude oil.

Moreover, the industrial sector enables the private sector to positively contribute to the development process and making job opportunities available for the citizens in addition to creation of a solid technological base. In the last 30 year, industry significantly developed in the Kingdom.

The petrochemical sector was the corner stone of the industrial development in the country.

The down stream sector includes a large number of productive factories which produce various products.

The governmental authorities which are concerned with the process of the industrial development include the ministry of commerce and industry, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and the Saudi fund for industrial development.

The Madinah-based King Fahd Holy Quran Printing Complex has been shouldering its responsibility as regards the service of the Holy Quran in line with the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

The Complex's Secretary General Dr Mohammed Al-Aufi said the capacity of the complex amounts to more than 10 million copies of various publications annually.

He disclosed that the Holy Quran is being translated into 24 Asian languages, 12 European languages and 14 African languages.

He noted that the complex has stepped forward towards translation of the Holy Quran meanings by language of signs.

Dr Al-Aufi said the website of the complex on the internet was officially opened on 15-3-1425 AH.

He pointed out that the complex has made tangible efforts as regards organization or participation in the scientific seminars.

In 1421 AH, it organized a seminar on the attention given by the Kingdom to the Holy Quran and its sciences, as well as a seminar on the significance of the Sunnah (the Prophet's teachings) and the Prophet's biography.

"So far about two million Muslims from various countries of the world have visited the complex," he said.

Dr Al-Audi highlighted the great attention being given by the Saudi Leadership to the complex, and said the complex has become one of the most important centers for earnest studies and researches pertaining to the Holy Quran.