JEDDAH, 27 October 2004 — New social and municipal infrastructure projects worth SR9.5 billion will be implemented in the Makkah region within a few years, Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed announced yesterday.

“There are 973 new projects which have been presented to the government for approval,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the Makkah Regional Council’s projects committee.

Prince Abdul Majeed emphasized the governorate’s plan to find alternative sources of funds to finance development projects, adding that privatization was an important option.

“Some of these projects will be presented to prospective investors by holding a workshop,” he said. “We will also try to reduce cost by inviting tenders.”

The committee meeting discussed other options to finance projects such as voluntary service, sponsorship and private investment.

There are plans to establish new educational and health projects worth SR5.7 billion, municipal projects worth SR2.7 billion and water projects of SR600 million, he said.

As many as 489 projects worth SR13 billion are now under way, the governor said. They include municipal projects worth SR5 billion, water projects worth SR4.5 billion, road projects worth SR1.9 billion and SR1.6 billion worth of health and educational projects.

“Work has been completed on 48 percent of these projects worth SR6.3 billion,” the governor pointed out. The committee reviewed progress of various projects related to the Islamic Affairs Ministry, the Water Ministry, the health department, municipality and roads departments.