JEDDAH — The Cabinet, chaired by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman on Tuesday afternoon at Al-Salam Palace here, applauded the efforts of government agencies in implementing reforms and improving and developing business performance.

The lauded these efforts that led to Saudi Arabia advancing eight positions among the most competitive economies in the world, and achieving the second best performance in the released World Competitiveness Yearbook 2022, published by Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD).

The Cabinet also praised the work of the National Competitiveness Center to improve and develop the competitive environment in Saudi Arabia, and to raise its rank in the relevant global indicators and reports.

The Cabinet stated that the Kingdom's designation of eight individuals and 11 entities, for their association with activities of the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militia embodies the continued determination to target those who have fueled violence and endangered Yemen and its people, thus destabilizing the region, threatening international navigation and prolonging human suffering.

It also reiterated Saudi Arabia’s affirmation, stated during its participation in the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF), of its interest and commitment to cooperate with all partners globally to combat climate change, and to achieve global goals to create a better environment for future generations.

At the outset of the session, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques briefed the Cabinet on the content of the letters he sent to Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik of the Sultanate of Oman; Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar; Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, as well as the letter he received from President Sadyr Japarov of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan.

The Cabinet addressed the recent meetings and discussions that took place between senior Saudi officials and their counterparts in a number of countries, with the aim of expanding bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

Within the same context it commended the outcomes of the 13th session of the Joint Moroccan-Saudi Commission, as it reflected the joint will to develop relations to meet the desired aspirations, and the common vision on regional and international issues.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Minister of State, Cabinet's Member and Acting Minister of Media Dr. Ibrahim Bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf said that the Cabinet reiterated the content of Saudi Arabia’s speech delivered before the Human Rights Council, emphasizing its firm and supportive position for Sudan and its people in everything that achieves its stability. Saudi Arabia also called on the international community to contribute to laying the foundations of security and peace in Sudan.

The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts to hold talks with the Chinese side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the institute in Saudi Arabia and the Arts and Design Academy at the Tsinghua University in China for cooperation in the traditional arts field.

It authorized the minister of justice to sign a draft memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the Cypriot Ministry of Justice and Public Order.

It approved a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the radio and television field between the Saudi Broadcasting Authority in Saudi Arabia and the Ministry of Information in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Cabinet authorized the minister of finance and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority to sign a draft agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and the US regarding cooperation and mutual assistance on customs issues.

It approved a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Saudi Arabia and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) to enhance spreading technological awareness and enrich the Arab technological content.

It authorized the minister of Human Resources and Social Development and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Family Affairs Council to hold talks with the Emirati side regarding a draft memorandum of understanding between the Family Affairs Council in Saudi Arabia and the General Women's Union in the United Arab Emirates.

The Cabinet approved an agreement between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Hungary in the field of air transport services, and also the accession of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority to Karen Network as observer.

It approved a cooperation agreement between Presidency of State Security in Saudi Arabia and each of State Security Bureau of Kuwait, National Security Agency of Bahrain and the general directorate of national police in Djibouti in the field of combating crimes and funds for terrorism.

The Cabinet approved a license for the Bank of Jordan to open branches in Saudi Arabia to practice banking activities while aborting the Social Charity Fund issued under the Royal Decree No. (KH/41362) on 25/10/1423 Hijri and aborting its bylaw issued under the Cabinet Decision No. (85) on 22/3/1431 Hijri, where all tasks, specializations, assets and employees of the fund shall be moved to the Social Development Bank. — SPA