Businessmen urged to invest in Al-Oqair

Head of the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) Abdullah Al-Mubty urged Saudi businessmen throughout the Kingdom to take advantage of the Al-Oqair project, which is one of the major tourism projects approved by the government as part of its efforts to boost domestic tourism.
The Council of Ministers on Monday allocated SR 1.4 billion for the development of Al-Oqair region for tourism purposes. Of this amount, SR 1 billion will be appropriated for the delivery of electricity and SR 400 million for the provision of water and sanitation. The procedures for the formation of the new company would be completed within a few weeks.
Welcoming the decision of the Council of Ministers, Al-Mubty said that such a project would contribute to the active participation of the private sector and further develop the economy of the country.
Al-Mubty said the Saudi private sector is keen on strengthening its strong partnership with government agencies through effective participation in the development of such projects, which would resolve the economic challenges of the country.
The official explained that the proposed project would not only promote tourism but it will also provide thousands of job opportunities for the Saudi youths in the tourism industry in places such as commercial complexes, hotels, apartments and leisure resorts. He also took the opportunity to thank Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque King Abdullah for his wise decision in promoting such a viable project in the Kingdom.
Al-Mubty also thanked the Supreme Commission for Tourism & Antiquities (SCTA) and other related government and nongovernmental organizations for the confidence reposed in the private sector for the development of the project.
Saleh Al-Afaleq, chairman of Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said that the decision would contribute to speeding up the project’s implementation to the earliest date possible. “The Al-Oqair project will be a new turning point in boosting tourism in the Al-Ahsa region,” he stressed.
Al-Ahsa Mayor Fahd Al-Jubair said that this would lead to a huge flow of private investments into the region’s vital tourism sector in addition to creating more job opportunities for the Saudi youths.
The Cabinet’s decision to allocate SR 1.4 billion for the development of Al-Oqair will boost the Al-Ahsa region’s bid to find a place on the global tourism map, according to economic experts and prominent figures in the region. They said this would mark a new era in tourism investments in the region.