Saudi Gazette report

DAMMAM — The Board of Directors of the Eastern Province Development Authority has approved a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming the Qatif governorate in the Eastern Province into an integrated coastal oasis. This will be keeping pace with the path of development and prosperity witnessed by the region, and enhancing its position as an advanced urban center that combines authenticity, heritage and modern progress.

Eng. Omar Al-Abdullatif, CEO of the authority, said that the announcement of the comprehensive plan comes after the adoption of all regulatory procedures. He thanked Prince Saud bin Naif, emir of the Eastern Province and chairman of the board of the authority, for his support and directives that contributed greatly to the crystallization of the comprehensive plan for the Qatif Governorate and the realization of its ambitious vision, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Eng. Omar stressed that the authority attaches great importance to completing the comprehensive plans for the region's governorates that fall within its supervisory framework. This is the first comprehensive plan approved by the authority's board of directors, and will soon be followed by the adoption of the comprehensive plan for Hafar Al-Batin Governorate and Al-Bayda Governorate, in addition to starting to prepare the regional plan and local plans for all governorates in the region, the authority chief said.

"This reflects the authority's commitment to achieving its roles in accordance with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The comprehensive plan for Qatif aims to achieve a comprehensive renaissance by enhancing economic development, improving community cohesion, and reviving the urban environment. This will be through preserving unique heritage sites, and benefiting from the governorate's comparative advantages such as coastal areas, agriculture, heritage assets, and mangrove forests," he said.

Eng. Omar said the plan also works to set general development policies and determine development priorities, ensuring coordination of efforts between government agencies and organizing work according to agreed-upon priorities. "The plan includes preparing comprehensive plans and studies for urban, population, economic, and social fields, in addition to developing the infrastructure and environment, which contributes to providing the governorate's needs for services and public facilities and raising the quality of life," he added.