Saudi Gazette report

TAIF – Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said several mega projects worth SR14.6 billion are being carried out in the governorates of Taif, Mawiyyah and Meesan in the Makkah province.

These included New Taif projects costing a total of SR11 billion, SR899 million worth road projects, SR1.8 billion water projects, SR500 million health projects, SR1.4 billion electricity projects and SR100 million education projects.

The emir made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the newly constituted local councils of the three governorates in Taif on Tuesday.

He said that the projects include the new Taif International Airport, Okaz City, Technology Oasis, residential suburb, industrial city and university city.

The emir said a major investment forum with the theme of “Invest in Makkah” will be organized in Shaban this year. The second 10-year Development Plan for the region will be announced at the forum.

On the second day of the tour of the eastern governorates, Prince Khaled launched the campus projects for girls at Taif University. These included a commercial center consisting of more than 40 shops for girl students and a recreational facility.

On the first day of the tour, the emir on Monday launched a Unified Center for Services, which will house the governorate, police and the municipality buildings.

He was briefed on the progress of work of the new airport that started last September, the Souk Okaz City as well as the industrial city project.

Prince Khaled also opened the first phase of the solar power plant in the Technological Oasis in Taif on Monday.