Saudi king launches $2.8bn projects, pardons prisoners in the Northern Border region

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has launched projects worth SAR10.5bn ($2.8bn) in the Northern Border region during his visit on Wednesday, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The monarch is currently on a domestic tour of the country.

The king inaugurated a total of 65 development projects in Northern Borders region during a presentation in the city of Arar.

#صور | #خادم_الحرمين_الشريفين يُشرف حفل استقبال أهالي منطقة #الحدود_الشمالية.#واس pic.twitter.com/PSNytRNVEK

— واس (@spagov) November 21, 2018

Similar to his visit to other regions, the king also pardoned prisoners in the region who were jailed over debts that do not exceed SAR1m and who were not involved in criminal cases.

He also announced that the government will pay off the debts of those who are unable to repay the amount.

King Salman has launched several projects this week during his visit to the provinces of Tabuk and Al-Jouf.

On Tuesday he inaugurated 151 projects in Tabuk worth more than SAR11bn ($2.9bn), according to state media.

Read more: Saudi King inaugurates $2.9bn of projects in Tabuk, $14.65bn mining city to follow

He also previously visited the provinces of Qassim and Hail, both northwest of Riyadh, where he announced several initiatives.

More than 600 projects worth over SAR16bn ($4.26bn) were inaugurated during the king’s visit to Qassim, covering education, housing, roads, environment, water, electricity, public services and other areas, SPA reported.

Read more: Saudi king to inaugurate $4.26bn of projects in Qassim

The king also laid the foundation stone for a “number of development projects” in Hail.

This is King Salman’s first such trip since the 82-year-old acceded to the throne of the kingdom in 2015.