Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and chairman of Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA), launched on Tuesday the Strategy for the Development of the Asir Region under the theme of "The Arabian Highland".

The strategy's objective is to achieve a comprehensive, unprecedented and sustainable growth for the region through an investment of SR50 billion to finance major vital projects from different sources and develop tourism attractions on and around the peaks of the Asir mountains, turning the region into an all-year-round world destination.

The region will rely on the beauty of its nature and its rich culture, which combines authenticity and modernity. The strategy will also contribute to the social and economic prosperity of the region.

The Crown Prince announced that the strategy seeks to make the Asir region, by 2030, a year-round world tourist destination catering for more than 10 million visitors from inside and outside the Kingdom.

He added the strategy is underpinned by the natural assets of the region. These assets will be utilized, he added, through major tourist projects that will highlight the region's high mountain peaks as well as its geographic and natural varieties and reveal the richness of its cultural heritage.

Crown Prince Muhammad highlighted that the Asir strategy seeks to attract local and international investments, which will contribute to producing effective and sustainable economic growth through a facilitating package of comprehensive administrative measures that will reinforce the role of tourism and culture as major economic development mechanisms in Asir.

The implementation of the strategy, the Crown Prince asserted, will contribute by 2030 to providing new job opportunities in addition to raising the quality of life and to improving the region's basic services and infrastructure, including communication, healthcare, transport, and other citizen empowering services and facilities.

On this occasion, Prince Turki Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz, chairman of Aseer Development Authority (ADA), conveyed his highest expressions of gratitude and recognition to the Crown Prince for his constant support and deep interest in the Asir region and its people.

Prince Turki Bin Talal's address came following the launch of the Asir development strategy with the objective of achieving comprehensive growth and prosperity for the region, and its people by improving their living standards, developing the region's infrastructure and services, attracting investment, and ensuring sustained social and economic progress.