from sunday to thursday, so that the weekend would be on friday and saturday, has been approved. terrorist crimes and their financing law, stipulated under the anti - money laundering law, has been approved. the custodian of the two holy mosques – may allah protect him – is very well known for his devoted concern with citizens and their needs and his keenness for enhancing the level of their well - being and providing a decent livelihood for them. he issued his kind directives to take necessary measures for addressing and alleviating the poverty level, supporting social security, approving salary and cost of living allowance increases, turning employees on wages item into state employees, addressing housing problems and supporting specialized development funds. we pray to the almighty allah that the kingdom ’ s citizens will have many returns of this dear and national occasion and that the custodian of the two holy mosques, hrh the crown prince and the second deputy prime minister will be in good health. may the kingdom continue to enjoy security and stability, so that the development march will continue under our wise leadership. bis central bankers ’ speeches

education services, in addition to the scholarship program of the custodian of the two holy mosques for pursuing higher education abroad which is a long - term investment in human resources. the kingdom has maintained high sovereign ratings of solvency as indicated by international rating agencies. most recently, fitch international credit rating raised the rating of the kingdom from aa - to aa with a stable outlook, which highlights the strength of its economy and financial position, and makes it more attractive for domestic and foreign investments. there is a great and deep - rooted confidence in the continued strong growth and overall development of the saudi economy under the wise leadership of the custodian of the two holy mosques. at the level of the financial and banking sectors, domestic liquidity increased from sar 553. 7 billion in 2005 to sar 1, 545. 1 billion at the end of 2013, recording a growth rate of 179. 1 percent, or an average annual increase of sar 123. 9 billion. the banking sector also registered strong and sustainable growth during that period, overcoming the repercussions of the global financial crisis, and, thereby, serving the national economy in accordance with the latest secure technology in the field of banking and financial services. the total assets of banks more than doubled from about sar 759 billion in 2005 to sar 1, 893 billion at the end of 2013. the number of bank branches during the same period increased by 44. 4 percent to 1, 768. automated teller machines rose by 202. 6 percent, to 13. 9 thousand distributed to various towns and villages in the kingdom, providing modern and secure banking services. as for sama, its total assets went up from sar 619. 4 billion at the end of 2005 to sar 2, 738. 7 billion at the end of 2013, increasing by 342. 2 percent. bis central bankers ’ speeches the custodian of the two holy mosques – may allah protect him - has paid great attention to economic affairs. he has presided the supreme economic council since its inception. under his instructions and guidance – may allah protect him - a number of resolutions, aimed at raising the level of economic performance and paving the way for sustainable growth, were taken. a rapid review of the royal orders and resolutions of the council of minsters pertaining to economic and financial affairs, issued during the last nine years, will reveal a huge quantum. some of which are the following : the resolution to inaugurate the largest integrated economic city in the middle