King Salman’s team takes charge in Saudi Arabia

Jeddah, Feb 2: Saudi Arabia is all set for a new era under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman as the newly appointed ministers and regional governors took oath of office in front of the king at Al-Yamamah Palace on Sunday.

King Salman urged the new governors and ministers to give top priority for the welfare and prosperity of citizens. “May Allah help us all to serve our religion, nation and people,” the king said in a brief speech.

He expressed his confidence in the new governors and ministers who took oath of office on Sunday, describing them as “the roots of this country founded by King Abdul Aziz.”

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s position as the heart of the Muslim world and the cradle of Islam.

King Salman called upon Saudis to strengthen their unity and solidarity to bolster the Kingdom’s security and stability. He noted the great contributions made by previous kings.

“King Abdullah always advised me to give top priority for our citizens and our religion,” the king said.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, State Minister Prince Mansour bin Miteb, National Guard Minister Prince Miteb bin Abdullah, Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh, Education Minister Azzam Al-Dakhil and Culture and Information Minister Adel Al-Toraifi were sworn in during the ceremony. They swore separately: “In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful, I swear by Allah Almighty to be loyal to my religion, king and country, and not to divulge the state secrets, to maintain its interests and regulations, and to perform my duties sincerely, honestly and faithfully.”

Other ministers who took oath were: Justice Minister Walid Al-Samaani, State Minister Matlab Al-Nafeesa, State Minister Musaed Al-Aiban, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Ali Al-Naimi, Finance Minister Ibrahim Al-Assaf, Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al-Hussayen and Labor Minister Adel Fakeih.

Housing Minister Shuwaish Al-Dhuwaihi; Haj Minister Bandar Hajjar; Economy and Planning Minister Mohammed Al-Jasser, Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of State for Shoura Affairs Mohammed Abusaq, Minister of State Essam bin Saeed; Minister of Transport Abdullah Al-Muqbil, Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed Al-Suwaiyel; Minister of Social Affairs Majed Al-Qassabi, Minister of State Saad Al-Jabri, Minister of State Mohammed Al-Asheikh; Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs Abdul Latif Al-Asheikh; Minister of Health Dr. Ahmed Al-Khateeb; Minister of Civil Service Khaled Al-Araj, Minister of Agriculture Abdul Rahman Al-Fadli, and Assistant Shoura President Yahya Al-Samaan.

In a statement after taking oath, Al-Toraifi thanked King Salman for the appointment. “I thank the king for the trust bestowed on me. I value this trust and I am proud of it. I hope that I will live up to the expectations.”

Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil, president of the Council of Saudi Chambers, said he expected a new era of cooperation between the public and private sectors during King Salman’s era.

“There has been high optimism in business circles after King Salman ascended the throne,” he said.

Al-Zamil commended King Salman’s open-door policy that gave an opportunity for citizens to present their complaints to government departments. “We know King Salman for the last 50 years as governor of Riyadh,” he said while praising his efforts to make Riyadh a world-class city.

Samira Al-Suwayegh, chairperson of the Executive Council for Businesswomen at Asharqia Chamber, said the new decisions issued by the king would help achieve sustainable development. “It will also open new horizons of progress in the economic sector and open the door for women to participate in economic and investment ventures inside and outside the Kingdom,” she said.

Rima Al-Shahrani, a businesswoman, said King Salman’s programs would have a positive impact on the national economy and create more job opportunities for Saudi men and women. “It will also improve the living condition of citizens across the country,” she added.