JEDDAH -- The Council of Ministers on Tuesday approved a contract of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan as well as the companies implementing the Megaton technologies to establish a reverse osmosis desalination plant in the Kingdom. The Cabinet authorized SWCC to go ahead with the necessary procedures for implementing the project. NEDO is Japan’s largest public management organization promoting research and development as well as deployment of industrial, energy and environmental technologies.

The Cabinet approved a number of amendments in the articles of the Law of the General Commission for the Guardianship of Trust Funds for Minors and their Counterparts. According to the amendments, the Commission would have a board of directors, of which the chairman will be appointed through a royal decree. There will be nine members in the board who will be appointed for a period of three years.

Minister of Culture and Information Awwad Al-Awwad said the Cabinet approved a number of financial allowances, including transportation allowance for the employees of King Abdulaziz Complex for the Kiswa of the Holy Kaaba. According to the amendment, the employees shall be entitled to 15 percent in risk allowance. The council also decided to abolish the National Committee for Senior Citizens and transfer the works of the committee to the Family Affairs Council.