Saudi Arabia is “just getting started” on the journey to diversifying its economy, some of the kingdom’s top officials say after a major retrospective on progress towards realising the goals of Vision 2030.
In a documentary released by the National Transformation Programme on Sunday, high-ranking government ministers were among officials who discussed the challenges the kingdom has overcome in the first five years of the scheme.
Announced in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Vision 2030 is an ambitious scheme that intends to completely reshape the kingdom’s economy into one that is self-sufficient, progressive and diversified.
In The Transformation Journey, which was released on Sunday, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb shared insights into what it is like to work alongside Prince Mohammed on flagship development projects.
“If you work with the Crown Prince you see the level of ambition changing,” Mr Al Khateeb said. “The bar keeps getting higher and higher.”
The Vision 2030 scheme includes ambitious targets including increasing the capacity for Umrah visitors from 8 million to 30 million, lowering unemployment, increasing women's participation in the workforce and increasing foreign investment.
Mr Al Khateeb says in the film that those goals “were ambitious but logical”.
The Minister of Investment, Khalid Al Falih said: “The kingdom used to have financial and export surpluses. We didn’t feel the need to have a diversified economy.
"Vision 2030 sensed this shortage and the need for diversification.”
The Ministry of Investment has been working to attract greater foreign investment since Vision 2030 was announced.
The "Invest in Saudi" initiative increased the number of new foreign investments in the kingdom by 54 per cent in 2019 from 2018.
The kingdom moved up 29 places in the World Bank Group’s Ease of Doing Business Index in 2020.
National Transformation Programme chairman Mohammed Al Tuwaijri said being able to respond to a changing world was also important.
“The whole world is changing," Mr Al Tuwaijri said. "There are geopolitical and market shifts, trade wars and other types of disasters.
"Keeping pace with this change has to be taken seriously to conserve the kingdom’s geopolitical status and its position at the heart of the Islamic and Arab heritage, as well as a global hub.”
Improving women’s participation in the economy is a major part of the Vision 2030 scheme.
Some of the kingdom’s most high-profile women in business and politics reflected on the changes the country has already undergone in this area.
“The leap in women’s participation in the labour force is unprecedented," said Hind Al Zahid, head of women’s empowerment at the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development.
"Today Saudi women can work in every field and in leadership roles.”
Majid Al Hoqail, Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, said: “The world is changing and it is natural that we lead this change."
We Saudis should be proud of this nation's ambitious vision
The Minister for Human Resources and Social Development, Ahmed Al Rajhi, said: "Increasing women's participation in the labour market is one of the strategic objectives assigned to the National Transformation Programme led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, where the percentage of women's share in the labour market reached 31.8 per cent in 2020."
Minister of Justice Dr Walid Al Samaani praised the major human rights reforms made in the past five years, many of which were in favour of women and children, despite significant hurdles.
“There were many obstacles in the way that delayed granting rights to women," Dr Al Samaani said. "Women weren’t allowed to drive or work in all sectors.”
Saudi Arabia opened its doors to foreign tourists for the first time in 2019 as part of Vision 2030, and helping to expand the kingdom's tourism sector is a crucial part of the programme.
Among its targets is more than doubling the number of Saudi heritage sites registered with Unesco.
Mr Al Khateeb reflected on the growth of the Saudi tourism industry despite the pandemic.
"By March 2020, the kingdom had welcomed more than 440,000 tourists from around the world," he said.
The kingdom now had five heritage sites listed with Unesco, Mr Al Khateeb said.
Alongside the documentary, the NTP also released a report on the achievements of the programme’s first five years.
Digital transformation features prominently in Vision 2030 and programme chief executive Thamer Al Saadoun detailed some of the advances in digital infrastructure.
More than 3.5 million households in the kingdom now have access to fibre optic internet, Mr Al Saadoun said.
He said the average speed of internet connections had increased from 9Mpbs in 2017 to 109Mbps in 2020.
This growth, and improvements in other areas of the economy, helped the kingdom to weather the coronavirus pandemic.
“In this year which is full of challenges, we Saudis should be proud of this nation’s ambitious vision, which has proven its viability and importance at the time of distress as it ensured the nation’s resilience against crises,” Mr Al Saadoun said.
Paris Can Wait
Dir: Eleanor Coppola
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard
Two stars
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
HEADLINE HERE
- I would recommend writing out the text in the body
- And then copy into this box
- It can be as long as you link
- But I recommend you use the bullet point function (see red square)
- Or try to keep the word count down
- Be wary of other embeds lengthy fact boxes could crash into
- That's about it
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)
Saturday
Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)
Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)
Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)
Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)
Sunday
Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)
Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
The Land between Two Rivers: Writing in an Age of Refugees
Tom Sleigh, Graywolf Press
How to help
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
More on animal trafficking
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Other promotions
- Deliveroo will team up with Pineapple Express to offer customers near JLT a special treat: free banana caramel dessert with all orders on January 26
- Jones the Grocer will have their limited edition Australia Day menu available until the end of the month (January 31)
- Australian Vet in Abu Dhabi (with locations in Khalifa City A and Reem Island) will have a 15 per cent off all store items (excluding medications)
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
England's Ashes squad
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
