Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC) approved the Strategic Direction of the Holy City of Makkah and the Holy Sites. The board also endorsed establishment of the Holy Sites Company for Development. The decision was taken by the third meeting of the board, chaired by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier, minister of defense and chairman of the board, at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah on Monday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The board issued directives to begin preparing the details of the strategic plan for the Holy City of Makkah and its components of programs, initiatives, plans of action and partnerships for their implementation. The board decided to establish the Holy Sites Company for Development as a closed joint stock company, solely owned by RCMC, with its headquarters in Makkah.

The company will act as the main developer and operator for raising the capacity of the Holy Sites for use throughout the year to serve the growing numbers of Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

The board also approved the provisions of the amended regulation to improve the condition of undeveloped areas in Makkah, in accordance with the powers of the Royal Commission in supervising the rehabilitation and improvement of undeveloped areas.

Abdurahman Addas, executive director of RCMC, said the board reviewed the proposal of governance of project and operation management at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, proposal for governance of the transport sector and roads in Makkah and holy sites, and the proposal to establish special endowment funds for Makkah.

Addas said the decisions and directives approved at the meeting come within the framework of the great attention being paid by the government of King Salman to accelerate the achievement of the goals for which the Royal Commission was established under the leadership of the Crown Prince.

The RCMC, which was established by a Royal Decree issued on June 1, 2018 (17 Ramadan 1439) aims to achieve sustainable future for Makkah and the holy sites so as to provide best services to the guests of Allah as well as to enrich the quality of life in the holy city.

The main responsibilities of the Royal Commission include evolving Haj and Umrah ecosystem and creating an environment to attract and serve visitors and pilgrims in order to strengthen the status of Makkah and the holy sites as a global spiritual destination; improving the quality of life and services provided to make Makkah city among the world’s most attractive places to live; providing a suitable business environment that makes Makkah city and the holy sites attractive destinations for investors; and enhancing the competitive advantages of Makkah city and the holy sites to make them a destination for innovation and promising sectors.

The RCMC will contribute effectively to implement strategic objectives of Vision 2030, and will help build a vibrant society and prosperous economy for Makkah city and the holy sites through identifying the needs across various sectors, and will work closely with stakeholders in the public and private sectors.