Shoura rejects attestation fee hike by MOFA

The Shoura Council yesterday opposed a move to increase fees for the attestation of documents at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) by voting against the proposal.
Fahd Al-Hamad, assistant president of the consultative body, said the council made the decision while discussing a report by the Financial Affairs Committee.
The Shoura also stressed the need to protect airport land, adding that these pieces of land should not be allocated to other parties. It also urged the General Authority of Civil Aviation to start developing specific areas of airports with private sector support.
There was a recommendation to make Saudi airports suitable for people with disabilities. “We should make sure that the Kingdom’s airports are disable friendly,” the council recommended.
In relation to this, GACA has been further instructed to follow international standards in operating and maintaining its airports.
The Shoura instructed the Pension Fund to open women’s sections at its main branches.
Discussing a report from the Ministry of Culture and Information, the Shoura said it did not reflect the ministry’s vision and short-term or long-term strategic plans.
The Culture and Media Committee also criticized the report saying the ministry was vague on how its annual budget was spent. “We need more details of expenditures,” the panel told the ministry.


The Shoura urged the radio and television commissions and the Saudi Press Agency to take appropriate steps to improve its programs and performance to stave off competition from other media organizations.