Saudi Arabia’s new super-ministry is an amalgamation of elements of the water and electricity ministry, commerce ministry and the ministry of petroleum and mineral resources, which had been led by Ali Naimi since August 1995.
The move is widely seen by analysts as a major part of the far-reaching reforms being introduced by the powerful but inexperienced Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman Al Saud. Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, unveiled by Prince Muhammad on 27 April, the kingdom hopes to be able to survive without oil by 2020 (MEES, 29 April). (CONTINUED - 1066 WORDS)
