Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud has announced a reshuffle of the cabinet, with changes occurring at several key ministries.

In a statement on the official news agency on 13 December the ‘mini-reshuffle’ was detailed. Changes include current Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (Sama) governor Muhammad al-Jasser moving to become economy minister, replacing Khalid bin Mohammed al-Qusaibi.

Fahd bin Abdullah bin Abdullatif al-Mubarak has been appointed the new Sama governor. Tawfiq al-Rabea has been appointed trade and industry minister, replacing Abdullah bin Ahmed Zenel Ali Redha.

King Abdullah announced a $130bn spending plan in early 2011 to help develop the country’s infrastructure and boost jobs in an effort to tackle unemployment among citizens.

The cabinet changes are:

• Khalid bin Abdullah bin Ibrahim al-Sabti appointed deputy minister of education
• Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Ibrahim appointed governor of the Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC).
• Bandar bin Mohammed bin Hamza Asaad Hajjar appointed Hajj minister
• Former deputy education minister Faisal bin Abdulrahman al-Muammar was appointed adviser to the king
• Abdulrahman al-Barak was appointed civil service minister