Shoura criticizes delay in economic city projects

08/04/2014 10:25 AST

Several members of the Shoura Council on Monday criticized the delay in economic cities projects in various regions of the Kingdom.

Fahaad Al-Hamad, assistant president of the Council, said that the members shared their concerns while taking part in deliberations over the report prepared by the committee for housing, water and public utility, based on the annual report of the Economic Cities Authority (ECA).

In its recommendation, the committee called for entrusting an independent body to evaluate the progress made in building economic cities and the factors that resulted in the delay.

The committee called for handing over the task of developing the land of Prince Abdulaziz Bin Mousaed Economic City in Hail to the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones. It also stressed the need to find out the reasons that resulted in the deviation from the basic vision of the Knowledge Economic City in Madinah of attracting knowledge based industries.

A number of the Council members demanded carrying out studies about merging economic cities with the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu.

They noted that the Commission has proved that it can achieve strategic goals of economic cities, and was successful in drawing more domestic and foreign capital, in addition to giving jobs for more Saudis.

One member emphasized that it is high time for a government intervention to save economic cities through pumping investments and converting the budget surplus into investments in the cities.

While criticizing the delay in implementing the economic city projects, another member demanded review of agreements signed with companies to build and operate economic cities.

However, a member appreciated the progress that has been achieved in implementing the Jazan Economic City, which is one of the four economic cities that are under various phases of implementation.

Saudi Gazzette