In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Honourable Members of the Consultative Council,
I greet you all and congratulate you on the confidence bestowed upon you by His Majesty my revered Sovereign. It is a confidence you are truly worthy of—granted to you year after year in recognition of the results of your work and the competence you have demonstrated, as witnessed by His Majesty and by the nation at large.
The agenda you submitted to His Majesty for the past year was rich with matters of great importance—matters that contribute to the organization of the state and to the welfare and comfort of its people.
As we, together with you, welcome a new year, I ask God to make it a year of goodness and prosperity for the world at large, and for this country in particular.
I would like to outline for you certain elements of the programme before the government and before you—covering all fields of development, education, pilgrimage affairs, public health, and defence. A programme and a budget have been prepared for each of these sectors, and all matters that fall within the jurisdiction of your Council will be presented to you for study and approval.
The Jeddah Water Project has, thanks to God, been completed.
There is also a project to establish a port in Jeddah, as well as a project to supply water to Mecca through pipelines, ensuring that the water remains clean and unpolluted. Additional projects include the construction of new motor roads from Arafat to Mecca and elsewhere.
The government is devoting its full attention to all that may raise the standard of living of the population, reduce the prices of essential goods, and ensure their availability to all. It is exerting every effort to improve the quality of life for its citizens.
Likewise, the Directorate of Education continues on its path, expanding its schools and doubling its budget year after year.