A nucleus for establishing future development bodies

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs - may God protect him - announced the launch of strategic offices to develop the regions of Al-Baha, Al-Jawf, and Jazan, which will be the nucleus for the establishment of development bodies in the future, with the aim of maximizing the benefit of the advantages. The proportionality and competitiveness of each of the three regions, in addition to developing the investment environment to be attractive areas for investment in partnership with the private sector.

The announcement of the strategic offices in the three regions comes within the framework of His Highness’ interest and his keenness that comprehensive development extend to all regions and cities of the Kingdom for the benefit of all citizens, creating a prosperous economy and a vibrant society for an ambitious nation. His Highness stressed that the work is based on establishing strategic offices in areas where there are no development agencies or strategic offices, with the aim of developing all regions of the Kingdom without exception.

These strategic offices will aim to pay attention to all components of development in those areas, focusing on investing in the developmental elements that each region has in order to achieve the highest benefit from them and turn them into elements supporting the economy, in addition to the strategic offices in the three regions carrying out development, coordination and follow-up work with all government agencies. To work on stimulating and involving the private sector in the development of its spatial components.

It is noteworthy that the launch of the strategic offices for the development of the three regions comes within the framework of the vision of His Highness the Crown Prince to bring about comprehensive and sustainable development in all regions of the Kingdom by maximizing the use of the comparative advantages of each region, expanding the provision of job opportunities for the people of all regions of the Kingdom, in addition to raising the quality of life. Upgrading basic services and infrastructure in all regions and cities of the Kingdom.

The importance of the Al Baha region is highlighted as one of the most important tourist areas in the Kingdom, as it includes a large number of forests. Al Baha is famous for the Raghadan Forest, Al-Qam’ Park and Al-Shukran Park, in addition to the ancient village of Dhi Ain, and many villages and forts.

As for the Al-Jawf region, which is characterized as the oldest settlement areas in the Arabian Peninsula; Its existence historically dates back to the Paleolithic period, and it is also considered one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the Kingdom. It is located in a simple center, which is the “food basket of the Kingdom”, and is characterized by its moderate climate in summer and the abundance of fresh groundwater in it. The Al-Jouf region is also famous for the cultivation of olive trees. It produces approximately (67%) of the local production of olive oil in the Kingdom.

The Jazan region has many economic advantages in the logistical, agricultural and heritage sectors. It includes the port of Jazan, which is the third port of the Kingdom on the Red Sea coast in terms of capacity. It is also characterized by its environmental and climatic diversity, and it is the main gateway to the Farasan Islands. Antiquities dating back to (8000) BC, and it is one of the most important agricultural areas in the Kingdom, as it is characterized by the diversity of its agricultural crops.

It is noteworthy that His Highness the Crown Prince’s announcement of the strategic offices for development reflects His Highness’ keenness to achieve inclusiveness in development, and after announcing the strategy for developing the Asir region under the slogan “Peace and Shem”, which aims to achieve a comprehensive development renaissance for the region.