Dissertation_Dr Faisal Almubarak

139
The five-year plan comprises (1) the Plan Document, an outline of objectives,
policies, and development targets the government deems timely toward assuring a
functioning polity and healthy economy, (2) the detailed operation plans which are reports
that were prepared by the various government ministries' agencies and departments. Based
on previous performance, identification of problems and suggested solutions to current
needs, the various public agencies draft proposals outlining their needs and future action
plans, (3) in addition to the government's major departments, the provincial offices of
governors, emirates, prepare Emirate Reports. These reports deal with and assess existing
socioeconomic conditions and identify future needs, (4) The five-year plan provides
valuable information and policies on the economic course and structural shifts the
government would take during the next five years. Such information and projections are to
be used by the private sector to adapt to business opportunities generated by government
investment. Finally, the last key element in the planning system is the "Management Plan
Implementation" (MPI). The MPI refers to annual reports prepared by the Council of
Minsters, a progress report to monitor, evaluate, and assess the plan's performance.
Though focused on the urban areas, the first five-year, 1970-1975, Development
Plan was the first government step toward a comprehensive planning framework of
national economic development. The plan foresaw the need to follow the systematic
coordination of government investments in the construction of a modern infrastructure, the
upgrading of government services, and the development of human resources. By starting
with these goals, the state sought to lay the grounds for achieving long term strategic goals.
The second plan (1975-80) heralded country-wide planning and development. It had
the goals of (1) the maintenance of Islamic moral values, (2) ascertaining the state's need to
develop its defense system and capabilities and strengthen national security, (3) pursuing
high rate of economic growth, (4) to reduce the Kingdom's dependence on the exportation
of crude oil by diversifying the national economy, (5) developing human resources through
education, technical training and provision of better health services, (6) fostering the wellbeing
of the population and maintain social stability amidst the ongoing rapid change, and
(7) continuing the establishment of physical and social infrastructure systems essential to
the performance of the economy. The second five-year development plan witnessed the
establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Electricity, the Royal Commission for Jubail
and Yanbu, the creation of Saudi Arabian Industries Corporation (SABIC) in 1976. The