Riyadh, Asharq Al Awsat – The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz announced Saturday that an economic city would be established in Jizan, the fourth of its kind in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The announcement came as the King attended a festivity organized by the residents of Jizan that was also attended by the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohammed.

Under King Abdullah’s directives, an initial 15 Billion Saudi Riyals (4 billion US Dollars) will be assigned to the new establishment and 375 million Saudi Riyals will be allocated as free shares for residents with limited incomes. The King highlighted that Jizan is at the beginning of its journey towards a prosperous industrial and agricultural future.

It is expected that the Jizan’s economic city will attract over 100 billion Saudi Riyals (26.6 billion US Dollars) of industrial, commercial and residential investments upon completion of the city’s infrastructure. This will create up to 500,000 new jobs in the region.

The King also expressed his appreciation of the heroism shown by martyrs who died whilst confronting deviant groups whilst protecting the country. He added that the nation will forever remember the sacrifices made by the martyrs. In a meeting with members of the Saudi security forces yesterday, the King said, “We will never forget the rights of the families and loved ones [of the martyrs]; they are our sons and daughters and have our full support and care.”

During the military parade in Asir organized by the leadership of the southern region, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques said, “Today, you bear the responsibility of the safety and protection of your country and this can only be achieved with the help of God, strong will, and relentless determination. Understand that you have a great responsibility towards your religion, country and people and that the biggest failure is he who abandons this cause.”