The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, presiding over the regular weekly session of the Council of Ministers this afternoon, remarked on the importance of the Saudi farming sector as more than just a contributor to the Gross Domestic Product, saying: "In addition to the strategic importance of increasing the domestic production of foodstuffs to meet the increasing demands of the population, the development of the agricultural sector leads to other important roles". Expressing pride in the Certificate of Merit awarded to the Kingdom by the World Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), King Fahd stated that the development of the agricultural sector also increases income and promotes the standard of living in rural areas. King Fahd hailed the expansion of agricultural production over the last fifteen years as one of the greatest aspects of the successful realization of comprehensive development in the Kingdom, and expressed delight at the increasing demand worldwide for made-in-Saudi-Arabia processed foodstuffs, which are now being marketed in 90 countries.

King Fahd then reviewed with the cabinet a number of important domestic issues and urged concerned ministers to continue their open-door policy, meet with citizens to discuss their affairs, and try to find immediate solutions. He also urged them to give Saudization top priority in employment.

In addition, King Fahd discussed with the cabinet a number of political developments and described the Palestinian/Israeli accord signed in Washington DC on September 28, 1995, as a positive step towards a comprehensive and fair peace in the region, reiterating the indivisibility of the targeted peace and the importance of reaching an agreement on the Syrian and Lebanese tracks. The cabinet also reviewed the most important developments in areas of tension in the world and confirmed once more the steadfast Saudi position on the need to find peaceful and just solutions for problems that endanger international peace and security.

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