New ministers discuss outstanding issues

RIYADH: Labor and Social Development Minister Mufrej Al-Haqabani on Sunday morning went to the headquarters of the now-defunct Social Affairs Ministry in Riyadh.
The two ministries were merged into one through a royal decre, issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Saturday.
Majid Al-Qassabi, the former social affairs minister, has been appointed minister of commerce and investment. Both ministers held a meeting to discuss outstanding issues relating to the two ministries and how to make the Vision 2030 plan a success, local media reported Monday. Al-Qassabi said the new merger will help meet many of the challenges and obstacles.
He also said that the Ministry of Commerce and Investment needs to achieve goals of Vision 2030, under which the investments of the country have been earmarked. “The vision focuses on the Kingdom, which is rich in resources and human capital.”
He vowed to acquaint himself with the challenges and “seek to attract smart investments so that the Kingdom becomes a powerful investment base in its Arab and Islamic depth,” he added.
Al-Haqabani said Vision 2030 is aimed at creating avenues and supporting investment. “Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has said on more than one occasion that the Kingdom has lots of potential and many resources.”