King Salman

:: King Salman on Tuesday issued a royal decree to transfer investigations and prosecutions of customs cases to the Public Prosecution, instead of the General Customs Authority, within a period not exceeding three months.

The approval came after the attorney general said the Public Prosecution is ready to exercise its jurisdiction in the investigation of customs crimes.

Also on Tuesday, the Saudi Cabinet welcomed the launch of megaprojects by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his visit to the Islam’s holiest site in Makkah, where he was briefed on the ongoing expansion work.

The Cabinet authorized the crown prince and ministers to sign 15 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with a number of countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The Cabinet’s weekly meeting, which was chaired by King Salman at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, also welcomed the launch of the King Abdullah Port by the crown prince in Rabigh on Monday and tourism megaprojects in Al-Ula on Sunday.

The ministers also welcomed the successful launch of the first Saudi communications satellite, SGS-1, which will be operated and controlled from stations inside the Kingdom.

The Cabinet authorized the crown prince to amend part of the agreement to establish a high-level committee between Saudi Arabia and China.

The Cabinet authorized the energy minister to complete negotiations with Pakistan to sign MoUs on renewable energy, and study investment opportunities in the refinery, petrochemical and mineral resources sectors.

It authorized the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) to work out an MoU for cooperation in the archaeology and museum sectors with Pakistan.

It authorized the crown prince to sign an agreement to establish a Saudi-Indian Supreme Coordination Council, approve the organizational structure of the council and its proposed governance.