King Abdullah announces increased benefits for citizens
February 23, 2011
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud returned to a warm welcome in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia today, following three months in the United States and Morocco for treatment and recuperation from surgery to treat a slipped disc in his back. The streets of the Saudi capital were lined with people carrying Saudi flags in honor of his return. The King’s surgery was successful and he remains in good health and spirits.
Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Aviation, received the King at the airport and was joined by Prince Nayef, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and other senior princes and officials, including Riyadh Governor Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
Prior to his return, King Abdullah issued a series of royal decrees for the welfare of Saudi citizens including:
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$10.6 billion (SR 40 billion) in new funding for housing loans through the Real Estate Development Fund
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$7.9 billion (SR 20 billion) in funding to increase the capital of the Saudi Credit Bank
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$266 million (SR 1 billion) to enable social insurance to increase the number of family members covered
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$319.9 million (SR 1.2 billion) to expand social services
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$933 million (SR 3.5 billion) to help the needy repair their homes and pay utility bills
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$126.9 million (SR 476 million) to support programs for needy students
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$3.9 billion (SR 15 billion) to support the General Housing Authority
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Pay increase by 15 percent for state employees
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50 percent increase in the annual allocations for charitable organizations reach $120 million (SR 450 million)
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$26.7 million ($100 million) annually allocation to projects of the National Charitable Fund will get SR100 million
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Extended the King Abdullah Foreign Scholarship Program for five additional years, which will now include Saudis studying abroad on their own accounts
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Increased monetary support for all sports clubs
