Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, presiding yesterday over the regular weekly meeting of the Council of Ministers, remarked that the long-term growth and well-being of society depends first on God, and then on the scientific and technological progress of its manpower and the natural resources available to them.  Referring to the importance to the economic and social transition witnessed in Saudi Arabia, especially over the past ten years, of both its natural resources and its manpower, King Fahd stated:  “Since the very beginning of developmental planning, the Saudi government has recognized the need for swift diversification of the economic base as well as acceleration of the process of educating, training and qualifying Saudis to undertake the ambitious tasks necessitated by social and economic development in addition to the organizational framework for future phases.”

Information Minister Dr. Fuad Al-Farsi reported that King Fahd reviewed in detail the issue of upgrading the level of Saudi human resources in both government and the private sector.   In this connection, King Fahd indicated that the six development plans have already laid down the foundations of a modern economy by means of tremendous governmental investments in infrastructure and basic industries.  He voiced optimism that after some 27 years of successful developmental planning, it is now time for greater focus and concentration on human resources, and on the relevant productivity and technology, and urged the private sector to exert greater efforts to find new job opportunities for Saudi university graduates who have been educated and trained in fields of specialization required by society.   He called for integration of the efforts of all governmental bodies, educational institutions, and the private sector, to prepare Saudis graduating from Saudi universities through educational and training programs to fulfill the developmental requirements.

After review of the items on its agenda, the cabinet passed two resolutions, one concerning rural development by-laws, and the other approving the list of goods exempted from customs duties in both Saudi Arabia and Jordan as per the agreement made during the 9th session of the Joint Saudi-Jordanian Committee in April 1991, to replace two lists dating from five years before that date.

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