The Royal Court announced yesterday that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd bin Abdulaziz has appointed Dr. Ghazi bin Abdulrahman Al-Qusaibi as the new Minister of Water. The announcement clarified that all departments and agencies dealing with water and sewage would come under the new Ministry of Water with immediate effect, although the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) will remain autonomous, with the Minister of Water as the Chairman of its Board. This move is in implementation of the cabinet resolution last year to divide the portfolio of the Ministry of Agriculture and Water. Dr. Abdullah Muammar retains the portfolio of Minister of Agriculture. The new Ministry of Water is mandated to prepare a comprehensive national plan for water, develop policies for water usage and regulations for its conservation, and encourage private investment in the water sector.

Dr. Al-Qusaibi, who is currently Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, today expressed his thanks and appreciation for the trust placed in him, commenting that he was ready to face the challenge of developing and preserving water resources, and rationalizing their use, which, he said, is not an easy task. Dr. Qusaibi has twice in the past held cabinet positions: for health, and for electricity and industry.

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