Jeddah, Sha'ban 04, 1438, April 30, 2017, SPA -- The Council of Economic Affairs and Development has identified ten programs of strategic importance for the government to achieve (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030) approved by the Council of Ministers under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on 18 Rajab 1437 AH, corresponding to 25 April 2016. These programs are extension of what was approved in the National Transformation Program 2020 launched on the first of the month of Ramadan 1437H (6 June 2016) and the "Financial Balancing Program 2020", which was launched on 23 Rabi 'Al Awwal 1438H (22 December 2016). Their mechanisms were formulated in accordance with the vision's governance which was approved on 24 Sha'ban 1437 AH, corresponding to 31 May 2016 . The programs come to support the achievement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 in making the kingdom's economy more prosperous and its society more vibrant, adhering to Islamic values, and the well-established national identity. These programs represent the system of achieving the vision, which the council will monitor its implementation until 2020, following the approved governance that ensures accountability, transparency and continuous monitoring, and activation of the methods of monitoring and implementing the initiatives. The 10 new programs will implement specialized programs in housing, improving the lifestyle, serving pilgrims and other programs that support national leadership in industry and financial markets, strengthen national identity and bolster national culture, arts and entertainment, and will be operational as soon as its operational plans are completed during the third quarter of 2017. --SPA 23:35 LOCAL TIME 20:35 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w389778