Saudi Vision 2030
MY FIRST OBJECTIVE IS FOR OUR COUNTRY TO BE A PIONEERING AND SUCCESSFUL GLOBAL MODEL OF EXCELLENCE, ON ALL FRONTS, AND I WILL WORK WITH YOU TO ACHIEVE THAT.
KING SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
All success stories start with a vision, and successful visions are based on strong pillars. The first pillar of our vision is our status as the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds. We recognize that Allah the Almighty has bestowed on our lands a gift more precious than oil. Our Kingdom is the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, the most sacred sites on earth, and the direction of the Kaaba (Qibla) to which more than a billion Muslims turn at prayer. The second pillar of our vision is our determination to become a global investment powerhouse. Our nation holds strong investment capabilities, which we will harness to stimulate our economy and diversify our revenues. The third pillar is transforming our unique strategic location into a global hub connecting three continents, Asia, Europe and Africa. Our geographic position between key global waterways, makes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia an epicenter of trade and the gateway to the world. Our country is rich in its natural resources. We are not dependent solely on oil for our energy needs. Gold, phosphate, uranium, and many other valuable minerals are found beneath our lands. But our real wealth lies in the ambition of our people and the potential of our younger generation. They are our nation’s pride and the architects of our future. We will never forget how, under
IT IS MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT SAUDI ARABIA’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE. IT IS AN AMBITIOUS YET ACHIEVABLE BLUEPRINT, WHICH EXPRESSES OUR LONG-TERM GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS AND REFLECTS OUR COUNTRY’S STRENGTHS AND CAPABILITIES
FOREWORD
MOHAMMAD BIN SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL-SAUD Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs
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tougher circumstances than today, our nation was forged by collective determination when the late King Abdulaziz Al-Saud – may Allah bless his soul – united the Kingdom. Our people will amaze the world again. We are confident about the Kingdom’s future. With all the blessings Allah has bestowed on our nation, we cannot help but be optimistic about the decades ahead. We ponder what lies over the horizon rather than worrying about what could be lost. The future of the Kingdom, my dear brothers and sisters, is one of huge promise and great potential, God willing. Our precious country deserves the best. Therefore, we will expand and further develop our talents and capacity. We will do our utmost to ensure that Muslims from around the world can visit the Holy Sites. We are determined to reinforce and diversify the capabilities of our economy, turning our key strengths into enabling tools for a fully diversified future. As such, we will transform Aramco from an oil producing company into a global industrial conglomerate. We will transform the Public Investment Fund into the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund. We will encourage our major corporations to expand across borders and take their rightful place in global markets. As we continue to give our army the best possible machinery and equipment, we plan to manufacture half of our military needs within the Kingdom to create more job opportunities for citizens and keep more resources in our country. We will expand the variety of digital services to reduce delays and cut tedious bureaucracy. We will immediately adopt wide-ranging transparency and accountability reforms and, through the body set up to measure the performance of government agencies, hold them accountable for any shortcomings. We will be transparent and open about our failures as well as our successes, and will welcome ideas on how to improve. All this comes from the directive of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, may Allah protect him, who ordered us to plan for a future that fulfills your ambitions and your aspirations. In line with his instructions, we will work tirelessly from today to build a better tomorrow for you, your children, and your children’s children. Our ambition is for the long term. It goes beyond
replenishing sources of income that have weakened or preserving what we have already achieved. We are determined to build a thriving country in which all citizens can fulfill their dreams, hopes and ambitions. Therefore, we will not rest until our nation is a leader in providing opportunities for all through education and training, and high quality services such as employment initiatives, health, housing, and entertainment. We commit ourselves to providing world-class government services which effectively and efficiently meet the needs of our citizens. Together we will continue building a better country, fulfilling our dream of prosperity and unlocking the talent, potential, and dedication of our young men and women. We will not allow our country ever to be at the mercy of a commodity price volatility or external markets. We have all the means to achieve our dreams and ambitions. There are no excuses for us to stand still or move backwards. Our Vision is a strong, thriving, and stable Saudi Arabia that provides opportunity for all. Our Vision is a tolerant country with Islam as its constitution and moderation as its method. We will welcome qualified individuals from all over the world and will respect those who have come to join our journey and our success. We intend to provide better opportunities for partnerships with the private sector through the three pillars: our position as the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, our leading investment capabilities, and our strategic geographical position. We will improve the business environment, so that our economy grows and flourishes, driving healthier employment opportunities for citizens and long-term prosperity for all. This promise is built on cooperation and on mutual responsibility. This is our “Saudi Arabia’s Vision for 2030.” We will begin immediately delivering the overarching plans and programs we have set out. Together, with the help of Allah, we can strengthen the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a great nation in which we should all feel an immense pride.
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OUR VISION
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SAUDI ARABIA
THE HEART OF THE ARAB AND ISLAMIC WORLDS, THE INVESTMENT POWERHOUSE, AND THE HUB CONNECTING THREE CONTINENTS
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INTRODUCTION
A VIBRANT SOCIETY
A Vibrant Society.. with Strong Roots
A Vibrant Society.. with Fulfilling Lives
A Vibrant Society.. with Strong Foundations
A THRIVING ECONOMY
A Thriving Economy.. Rewarding Opportunities
A Thriving Economy.. Investing for the Long-term
A Thriving Economy.. Open for Business
A Thriving Economy.. Leveraging its Unique Position
AN AMBITIOUS NATION
An Ambitious Nation.. Effectively Governed
An Ambitious Nation.. Responsibly Enabled
HOW TO ACHIEVE OUR VISION?
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14 16 22 28
34 36 42 50 58
62 64 72
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INDEX
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THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA IS BLESSED WITH MANY RICH ASSETS. OUR GEOGRAPHIC, CULTURAL, SOCIAL, DEMOGRAPHIC AND ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES HAVE ENABLED US TO TAKE A LEADING POSITION IN THE WORLD
INTRODUCTION
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To build the best future for our country, we have based our Vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on three pillars that represent our unique competitive advantages. Our status will enable us to build on our leading role as the heart of Arab and Islamic worlds. At the same time, we will use our investment power to create a more diverse and sustainable economy. Finally, we will use our strategic location to build our role as an integral driver of international trade and to connect three continents: Africa, Asia and Europe. Our Vision is built around three themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. This first theme is vital to achieving the Vision and a strong foundation for economic prosperity. We believe in the importance of a vibrant society. Members of this society live in accordance with the Islamic principle of moderation, are proud of their national identity and their ancient cultural heritage, enjoy a good life in a beautiful environment, are protected by caring families and are supported by an empowering social and health care system. In the second theme, a thriving economy provides opportunities for all by building an education system aligned with market needs and creating economic opportunities for the entrepreneur, the small enterprise as well as the large corporation. Therefore, we will develop our investment tools to unlock our promising economic sectors, diversify our economy and create job opportunities. We will also grow our economy and
improve the quality of our services, by privatizing some government services, improving the business environment, attracting the finest talent and the best investments globally, and leveraging our unique strategic location in connecting three continents. Our nation is ambitious in what we want to achieve. We will apply efficiency and responsibility at all levels. Our third theme is built on an effective, transparent, accountable, enabling and high-performing government. We will also prepare the right environment for our citizens, private sector and non-profit sector to take their responsibilities and take the initiative in facing challenges and seizing opportunities. In each of these themes, we highlighted a selection of commitments and goals, as a reflection of our ambition and a representation of what we aim to achieve. This Vision will be the point of reference for our future decisions, so that all future projects are aligned to its content. To clarify our next steps, we have already prepared the ground and launched some executive programs at the Council of Economic and Development Affairs. We will now launch a first portfolio of crucial programs with the aim to achieve our goals and honor our commitments.
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A VIBRANT SOCIETY
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LIVING BY ISLAMIC VALUES
Islam and its teachings are our way of life. They are the basis of all our laws, decisions, actions and goals. Following Islam’s guidance on the values of hard-work, dedication, and excellence, Prophet Mohammed, Peace Be Upon Him, said: “That Allah loves us to master our work”. Therefore, the principles of Islam will be the driving force for us to realize our Vision. The values of moderation, tolerance, excellence, discipline, equity, and transparency will be the bedrock of our success.
WE HAVE ENORMOUS UNTAPPED OPPORTUNITIES AND A RICH BLEND OF NATURAL RESOURCES, BUT OUR REAL WEALTH LIES IN OUR PEOPLE AND OUR SOCIETY. WE TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT MAKES OUR NATION EXCEPTIONAL: OUR ISLAMIC FAITH AND OUR NATIONAL UNITY. OUR NATION IS THE CORE OF THE ARAB AND ISLAMIC WORLDS AND
A VIBRANT SOCIETY.. WITH STRONG ROOTS
FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS TO SERVE UMRAH VISITORS
Saudi Arabia has assumed a prominent place in the world and has become synonymous with hospitality and a warm welcome to all Muslims. As such, it has carved a special place in the hearts of pilgrims and the faithful everywhere. We have been given the privilege to serve the Two Holy Mosques, the pilgrims and all visitors to the blessed holy sites. In the last decade, the number of Umrah visitors entering the country from abroad has tripled, reaching 8 million people. This is a noble responsibility. It requires us to spare no effort in seeking to offer pilgrims with all they need so we fulfil our duty to provide good hospitality to our brothers and sisters. In this context, we have recently begun a third expansion to the Two Holy Mosques, as well as modernizing and increasing the capacities of our airports. We have launched the Makkah Metro project to complement the railroad and train projects that will serve visitors to the Holy Mosques
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REPRESENTS THE HEART OF ISLAM. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT, GOD WILLING, WE WILL BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE, ONE BASED ON THE BEDROCK OF ISLAMIC PRINCIPLES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO EXCEL IN PERFORMING OUR DUTIES TOWARDS PILGRIMS TO THE FULLEST AND PROMOTE OUR DEEP-ROOTED NATIONAL IDENTITY
and holy sites. We have reinforced the network of our transport system to facilitate access and help pilgrims perform their visits with greater ease and convenience. At the same time, we will enrich pilgrims’ spiritual journeys and cultural experiences while in the Kingdom. We will establish more museums, prepare new tourist and historical sites and cultural venues, and improve the pilgrimage experience within the Kingdom.
TAKING PRIDE IN OUR NATIONAL IDENTITY
We take immense pride in the historical and cultural legacy of our Saudi, Arab, and Islamic heritage. Our land was, and continues to be, known for its ancient civilizations and trade routes at the crossroads of global trade. This heritage has given our society the cultural richness and diversity it is known for today. We recognize the importance of preserving this sophisticated heritage in order to promote national unity and consolidate true Islamic and Arab values. We will endeavor to strengthen, preserve and highlight our national identity so that it can guide the lives of future generations. We will do so by keeping true to our national values and principles, as well as by encouraging social development and upholding the Arabic language. We will continue to work on the restoration of national, Arab, Islamic and ancient cultural sites and strive to have them registered internationally to make them accessible to everyone and, in the process, create cultural events and build world-class museums which will attract visitors from near and far. This will create a living witness to our ancient heritage, showcasing our prominent place in history and on the map of civilizations.
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