In one fell swoop, the fears that had for so long stopped Saudis from thinking outside the box were done away with. For example, curbing the powers of the religious police was a giant step away from what had been the norm. 28, 2016ĭay after day, it became evident that Saudi Arabia was on a new track and nothing could stand in the way. “Thanks to Vision 2030, there is no more talk of reducing depending on oil, but rather a roadmap with a deadline… Many talented male and female Saudis are being carefully headhunted, properly motivated and encouraged to take part in the exciting transformation of their country.”įrom Faisal J. Nor did I know whether the announced changes, genuine as they and the intentions underlying them were, would materialize into reality. From the perspective of a journalist, it was an exciting time even though I had no idea what to expect. It was a coincidence that I returned to the Kingdom only five months after Vision 2030 was announced. “While the thought of having a woman do such a job was unheard of 20 years ago, I must confess that I honestly have never dealt with a more professional, meticulous and ‘happy to serve’ receptionist in my travels around the world,” I wrote in the piece that was aptly titled, “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” In that column I mentioned how I was assisted upon my arrival by a female Saudi receptionist at the Rosewood Jeddah hotel. I was nonetheless pleasantly surprised, and I wrote about my optimism on my first day at Arab News. And not a slow glacial change, but a fast and urgent one. What I failed to consider, on the other hand, was that in the five months since the announcement of Vision 2030, change had become the new norm. Having lived in Jeddah during my formative years, I felt that I had a genuine feeling for, and understanding of, the city. 26, 2016 to be precise - I was in Jeddah after being appointed editor in chief of Arab News. He talked about the government having targets, key performance indicators and Project Management Offices, as well as ridding the Kingdom of its dependence on oil - all of which were things unheard of in the past.įive months later - on Sept. The young prince was giving hope to a nation, 60 percent of whose population was under the age of 35. It was the kind of thing that nobody had tried before.
Here was a man who was charting a new course that was an almost total about-face for Saudi Arabia. At the time, I was based in Dubai editing the channel’s English digital arm it was obvious to me that if there was an eagerly awaited moment of change that would positively impact the region, this was it. That very day the prince gave Al Arabiya News Channel an exclusive interview which was his first one. On that date Saudi Arabia’s then Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced details and contours of what we have come to know as the path-breaking, paradigm-shifting Saudi Vision 2030. to stimulate our economy and diversify our revenues” and to exploit Saudi Arabia’s unique geographical location and transform the country into “a global hub connecting three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa.”Īlso revealed were plans to build a trade-boosting bridge across the Red Sea, sell shares in Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, develop a national defense industry, encourage inward investment, reduce unemployment and scrap unsustainable electricity and water subsidies.Ī seminal event occurred on April 25, 2016. characterized by strong roots and strong foundations that emphasize moderate Islam, national pride, Saudi heritage and Islamic culture.”Īmong the goals outlined in Vision 2030 was a determination to become “a global investment powerhouse. On April 25, 2016, Mohammed bin Salman, then Deputy Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, launched Vision 2030, an ambitious strategic plan designed to transform the nation’s economy, reduce its dependence on oil and nurture a “vibrant society.
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