Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz inaugurated in the Turaif governorate Thursday the first phase of the projects of industrial Waad Al Shamaal City and laid the foundation stone for the second phase of its projects and facilities, reported the Saudi Press Agency.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, was present at the ceremony before his departure on an Arab tour.
Upon the King's arrival at the venue, he was received by Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Northern Borders Region, Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Falih, Minister of Transport Dr. Nabil bin Mohammed Al-Amoudi, and Deputy Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Engineer Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer.
Falih lauded the great efforts exerted by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed in achieving Vision 2030.
He said that the Kingdom’s investments during the first phase of the Waad Al Shamaal project amounted to SR55 billion. Some SR31 billion represent Saudi investments, which include a phosphate fertilizer plant with a capacity of three million tons annually.
He stressed that when the second phase is completed, the Kingdom's production will rise to nine million tons annually, making it the world's second-largest producer of phosphate fertilizers.
Amoudi said that this project is implemented in light of integration among the system of energy, industry and mining, as well as the system of transport and logistic services.
He stated that the Saudi Railways Company (SAR) is one of the most prominent strategic partners in implementing and operating the Waad Al Shamaal’s developmental project.
King Salman then laid the foundation stone for the projects before departing Turaif.
He arrived in Riyadh on Thursday evening following his visit to the Kingdom's northern regions.
