Question

Writing a report on the economic 2030 vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

please should it be about 2000 words  

Answer 1

Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia's dependence on oil, diversify its economy, and develop public service sectors such as health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism. Key strategic goals include reinforcing economic and investment activities, increasing non-oil industry trade between countries and to promote a softer and secular image of the Kingdom . It also consists of increasing government spending on the military, manufacturing equipment and ammunition.

The Council of Ministers has tasked the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) with identifying and monitoring the mechanisms and measures crucial for the implementation of "Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030".

The vision has 3 main pillars: the status of the country as the "heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds"; the determination to become a global investment powerhouse; and finally to transform the country's location into a hub connecting the 3 continents (Asia, Europe, Africa).

The plan is supervised by a group of people employed under the National Center for Performance Measurement, the Delivery Unit, and the Project Management Office of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. The National Transformation Program was designed and launched in 2016 across 24 government bodies to enhance the economic and development center.

Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 lays out targets for diversification and improving competitiveness. It is built around three main themes which set out specific objectives that are to be achieved by the year 2030.

1. A vibrant society: urbanism, culture and entertainment, sports, Umrah, UNESCO heritage sites, life expectancy.
2. A thriving economy: Employment, women in the workforce, international competitiveness, Public Investment Fund, Foreign direct investment, private sector, non-oil exports.
3. An ambitious nation: Non-oil revenues, government effectiveness, and e-government, household savings and income, non-profits and volunteering.

   Projects and initiativest

   National Transformation Program

   The Saudi Council of Ministers approved the National Transformation Program which sets out the goals and targets to be achieved by the Kingdom by 2020. It is the first out of three phases each lasting for five years. Each phase will contribute towards achieving a certain number of goals and targets that will eventually help the Kingdom in reaching the ultimate goals of Vision 2030.

   Red Sea luxury resort project

   A beach resort is proposed to be built on the Red Sea between the towns of Umluj and Al-Wajh in the northern section of the Hejazi coast. The resort project will involve, "50 islands and 34,000 square kilometers in a global upmarket tourism and leisure mega-development" and will be, "governed by laws on par with international standards." The resort will allow women to wear bikinis in the pool and beach areas.

   The two massive tourism projects along the Red Sea planned by the Saudi government were to be run under the directorship of Richard Branson. On 11 October 2018, Branson stated that he is suspending his advisory role for the two projects amidst the Jamal Khashoggi murder.[19] Branson also suspended his talks with the Saudi government about investment in his Virgin Galactic venture.

   Entertainment sector

   In May 2016, a General Authority for Entertainment was announced by royal decree, into which over $2 billion have been invested. In Riyadh, the first public live music concert in over 25 years was held in May 2017, which featured American country musician Toby Keith and Saudi singer Rabeh Sager. In April 2017, the government announced a large sports, culture and entertainment complex, of 334 square kilometres (33,400 ha) at Al-Qidiya, south-west of Riyadh. The project will include a Six Flags theme park, due to open in 2022.

   As a component of Vision 2030 there was a celebration of the 87th anniversary of the Saudi founding with concerts and performances, with women for the first time being allowed into the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

   The General Sports Authority announced a 10-year partnership with American professional wrestling promoter World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to hold annual pay-per-view events in Saudi Arabia. The first event, Greatest Royal Rumble, was held 27 April 2018 at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

4. Due to restrictions on women's rights, WWE's female performers are not featured in these events. An exception to this occurred at Crown Jewel on 31 October 2019, which featured Lacey Evans and Natalya in the first women's professional wrestling match to be held in Saudi Arabia. In observation of conservative dress, they both wore black leggings and T-shirts over bodysuits instead of their normal ring attire.

5. Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year moratorium on the construction of new movie theaters in the country, with the first (under the ownership of AMC Theatres) opened on 18 April 2018 in Riyadh.

   Women's rights

   In January 2013, women were announced as members of the nation's Consultative Assembly. In 2015, they were allowed to run for office in municipal elections.

   While a few relaxations were suggested and implemented by the government for the welfare of women, more progress still needs to be made. As many women activists have been held and criminalized since 2015, without allowing access to a lawyer. The case of Israa al-Ghomgham came into light after she and her husband were arrested in December 2015 for calling the release of political prisoners and an end to anti-Shia government discrimination. Saudi prosecutors are seeking death penalty for Ghomgham.

   Tourism Visa

   In compliance with Saudi vision 2030, the issuance of the tourist visa allowing visitors from 49 countries to visit the country up to 90 days for a fee of $80. The visa can be either obtained online (eVisa) or on arrival.