Saudi Vision 2030(Arabic:رؤية السعودية ٢٠٣٠ruʾyat al-suʿūdiyah alfayn thalāthūn,sometimes calledProject 2030) is a government program launched bySaudi Arabiawhich aims to achieve the goal of increased diversification economically, socially, and culturally, in line with the vision of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime MinisterMohammed bin Salman.It was first announced on 25 April 2016 by theSaudi government.[1]

Saudi Vision 2030
رؤية السعودية 2030
Official logo
Development program overview
Formed25 January 2016;8 years ago(2016-01-25)
TypeDevelopment program
JurisdictionGovernment of Saudi Arabia
MottoSaudi Arabia, the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the investment powerhouse, and the hub connecting three continents
Minister responsible
Key document
Websitevision2030.gov.sa

The Council of Ministers has tasked theCouncil of Economic and Development Affairs(CEDA) with identifying and monitoring the mechanisms and measures crucial for the implementation of "Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030".[2]

Despite efforts to reduce Saudi dependence on oil, as of 2022,Saudi Arabia remains heavily dependent on oil revenue, as measured by its contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), fiscal revenue, and exports.[3]Oil accounted for approximately 40% of Saudi GDP and 75% of its fiscal revenue.[3]Additionally, the program is facing strong criticism from human rights advocates, with allegedly over 21,000 workers having died on the job in program-related projects between 2017 and 2024, according to a 2024 investigation.[4][5]

Overview

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Oil accounts for 43% ofSaudi Arabia'sreal GDP.The contribution of oil revenue to Saudi GDP varies each year due to fluctuations in oil prices, but averages at 40% in the years prior to 2022. Oil accounts for an average of 75% of fiscal revenue.[3]

Decreasing this dependence on oil resources has been one of the goals of the government since the 1970s. Oil and other natural wealth in countries that depend on these resources as a major source of income have been described as the "resource curse".[6]However, the implementation of this goal has been unstable and remains largely dependent on the price of oil. The core priority is to be able to develop alternative sources of revenue for the government, such as taxes, fees, and income from thesovereign wealth fund.[7]Another major aspect is to lower the dependency of the country's citizens on public spending by spending on subsidies, higher salaries, and increasing the portion of the economy contributed by theprivate sectorto provide more employment opportunities.[8]The goals in Saudi Vision 2030 could be compared with other development plans in the Middle East, such asKuwait Vision 2035,Egypt Vision 2030and UAE Vision 2021.

The vision has three main pillars: to make the country the "heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds", to become a global investment powerhouse, and to transform the country's location into a hub connectingAfro-Eurasia.[9]

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.[8]

Saudi 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 2030:[10]

  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, non-oil exports
  3. An ambitious nation – non-oil revenues, government effectiveness,e-government,household savings and income, non-profits, and volunteering.

Projects and initiatives

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ThePublic Investment Fundorganizes an annual investment forum, theFuture Investment Initiative,in Riyadh. However, amid the rising controversy and escalating tensions due to the Kingdom's alleged involvement inJamal Khashoggi's murder,many international companies have backed out of the conference.Google Cloud,KKR,Ford Motor,JPMorgan Chase,BlackRock,UberandBlackstoneall withdrew their CEO/chairmen's names from the summit that was held on 23 October 2018.[11]Major media houses includingCNN,Bloomberg,CNBC,theNew York Times,Fox Business Network,theFinancial Times,theLos Angeles Times,andHuffington Postalso withdrew as partners.[12]

National Transformation Program

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On 7 June 2016, the Council of Ministers approved the National Transformation Program which set out the goals and targets to be achieved by 2020.[13]It is the first of three 5-year phases. Each phase will contribute towards achieving a number of goals and targets that put the Kingdom on track to reach the ultimate goals of Vision 2030. In addition, to assist the Kingdom in financing the projects to be developed and facilitate the process of achieving goals and targets, Crown PrinceMohammad bin Salmanannounced in January 2016 that anIPOofSaudi Aramcowould take place. However, only 5% of the company will be made public.[14]

In March 2019, Aramco released its financial statements, disclosing a net income of $111.1 billion in 2018.[15]In June 2019, theFinancial Timesreported that Aramco is striving to separate its association with theMinistry of Investment,ahead of its potential listing. The company had been paying Ministry-related expenses, according to unnamed sources. The report revealed thatKhalid Al-Falihhad been using the company's revenues for his expenses, either directly relevant to Aramco or otherwise diplomatic. However, Falih's ally stated that his policies have brought in greater revenues for the firm.[16]

The two massive tourism projects along the Red Sea planned by the Saudi government were to be run under the directorship ofRichard Branson.On 11 October 2018, Branson stated that he is suspending his advisory role for the two projects amidst theJamal Khashoggimurder.[17]Branson also suspended talks with the Saudi government about investment inVirgin Galactic.He said he had "high hopes for the current government in the Kingdom and its leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman…the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi Government."[18]

Entertainment sector

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In May 2016, aGeneral Authority for Entertainmentwas 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 Americancountry musicianToby Keithand Saudi singerRabeh Sager.[19][20]In April 2017, the government announced a 334 square kilometres (33,400 ha) sports, culture, and entertainment complex at Al-Qidiya, south-west ofRiyadh.The project will include aSix Flagstheme park, due to open in 2022.[21]

As a component of Vision 2030, there was a celebration of the 87th anniversary of the founding of the country with concerts and performances. Women were for the first time allowed into Riyadh'sKing Fahd International Stadium.[22]

On 5 March 2018, theGeneral Sports Authorityannounced a 10-year partnership with Americanprofessional wrestlingpromoterWorld Wrestling Entertainment(WWE) to hold annualpay-per-viewevents in Saudi Arabia.[23]The first event,Greatest Royal Rumble,was held on 27 April 2018 atKing Abdullah Sports CityinJeddah.[23]Due to restrictions on women's rights, WWE'sfemale performerswere not initially featured in these events. DuringCrown Jewelon 31 October 2019,Lacey EvansandNatalyaparticipated 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.[24]

Saudi Arabia lifted its 35-year moratorium on the construction of new movie theaters in the country, with the first new theatre, owned byAMC Theatres,opening on 18 April 2018 in Riyadh.[25][26]

In 2019, a winter festival known asRiyadh Seasonwas first held in support of Vision 2030, including various concerts, entertainment events, attractions, and cultural pavilions,[27][28]such as the MDLBeast "SoundStorm"electronic music festival,[29][30]and the country's first officialNew Year's Eveevent atBoulevard Riyadh City.[31][32]

In January 2020, Saudi Arabia unveiled plans to build a new racing circuit inQiddiyadesigned by formerFormula OnedriverAlexander Wurz,aiming to host F1 orMotoGPevents as early as 2023.[33]In November 2020, it was announced that a circuit was being developed in Jeddah to host the inauguralSaudi Arabian Grand Prixin 2021.[34]

Construction sector

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Saudi Arabia's construction sector is poised for significant growth driven by Vision 2030, which emphasizes urbanization and economic diversification. Major infrastructure projects, such as the $500 billionNEOMsmart city and The Red Sea Global, are creating substantial demand for construction services. The Saudi government is actively welcoming foreign investment and offering incentives to international construction companies, making the Kingdom an attractive destination for expanding operations.

Grankraft, a leader in customized construction, recently expanded intoSaudi Arabia,leveraging the opportunities presented by Vision 2030. Their landmark project, the Sheybarah Hotel, showcased their expertise and underscored the importance of having a local market entry partner like AstroLabs. AstroLabs assisted Grankraft in navigating regulatory requirements, ensuring a smooth and efficient expansion process. This partnership model highlights the benefits of local expertise in facilitating market entry for international firms.

The legal framework governing construction in Saudi Arabia combines Shari'ah principles with international standards, particularlyFIDICcontracts. Shari'ah mandates transparency and fairness, while FIDIC contracts provide a standardized approach to risk allocation and contract terms. This dual legal system ensures that construction projects adhere to both local cultural values and international best practices, fostering a robust and compliant construction environment.[35]

Vision 2030's "Giga Projects" are central to Saudi Arabia's development strategy, aiming to stimulate economic growth, technological advancement, and sustainability. These mega-developments, includingNEOMand The Red Sea Project, demand innovative project management and skilled labor. The government's substantial investments in infrastructure are expected to boost the construction sector's market size to $91.36 billion by 2029, with an annual growth rate of 5.37%. This boom underscores the need for sustainable practices, advanced construction technology, and local talent development to meet the ambitious goals of Vision 2030.[36]

Women's rights

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In early 2017, Saudi state schools announced that they would be offering physical education classes to both boys and girls starting in the fall of 2017.[37]Later that year, the state announced that they would allow women to attend sports events, including those inside sports stadiums.[38]On 26 September 2017, a royal decree was issued granting women the right to drive vehicles which took effect in June 2018.[39]

While changes to the law have been implemented for the welfare of women, some argue more progress still needs to be made. The case ofIsraa al-Ghomghamcame to light after she and her husband were arrested in December 2015 for calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to anti-Shia government discrimination.[40]Saudi prosecutors are seeking death penalty for Ghomgham. In 2019, the government-based web applicationAbshergained media attention and was criticized for tracking the movement of the women of the kingdom. The app, which promotes amale guardianshipsystem, allows men to manage women's lives digitally by specifying where and when a woman can travel. The app also sends alerts to men's phones if a woman uses her passport at the border.[41]The European Parliament and United States Congress condemned the app and urged the Kingdom to abolish its male guardianship system.[42][43]

In August 2019, Saudi Arabia lifted travel restrictions on women and granted greater control to those above the age of 21.[44]

As part of its plan to modernize, Saudi Arabia was adopting changes to enhance women's rights and gender equality.[45][46]However, the country was being criticized, wherehuman rights groupssaid that all its efforts "are not serious and fall within the whitewashing campaigns it is carrying out to improve its human rights record".[47]It was after Saudi authorities detained a 34-year-old woman,Salma al-Shehab,and sentenced her to 34 years in prison. Shehab, a Ph.D. student ofLeeds University,was in Saudi on vacation since the end of 2019. In January 2021, she was detained for her activity on Twitter, where she followed and retweeted activists and dissidents. She was sentenced to six years at the end of 2021, but the sentence was increased to 34 years after she appealed. The court also ruled for a subsequent 34-year travel ban, confiscation of her mobile phone, and for her Twitter account to be "closed down permanently".[47][48][49]Shehab was reported on a Saudi-based crime-reporting app, Kollona Amn, or We Are All Security, by a user. Rights groups condemned Shehab's sentence, which they called evidence of Prince Mohammed's crackdown on dissent.[50]

Tourism visa

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To advance the Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia formally announced on 27 September 2019 the issuance of thetourist visaallowing 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.[51]

Other projects

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Some of the other major projects to be developed are listed in the table below:

Major Saudi Vision 2030 Projects
Project Location Total Area (km2) Announcement Date Expected Completion Cost Website
NEOM,[52]includingThe LineandTrojena Tabuk 26,500 2017-10-24 2030 $500 billion [1]
Qiddiya[21] South-west ofRiyadh 360 2017-04-08 2030 $9.8 billion[53] [2]
Red Sea Global,[54]includingThe Red Sea ProjectandAmaala Tabuk 32,200 2017-07-31 2030 (first phase)
2035 (final phase)
$23.6 billion[55] [3]
Roshn[56] Multiple Locations 200 2019-08-20 2026 $1.9 billion[57] [4]
Diriyah Gate project[58] Diriyah 7.1 2017-07-20 2027 $63.2 billion[59] [5]
New Murabba,includingMukaab[60] Riyadh 19 2023-02-16[61] 2030[62] $50 billion[63] [6]
Sports Boulevard[64] Riyadh 135 2019-05-19 2027 $23 billion[65] [7]
Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City[66] Riyadh 3.4 2021-11-14 [8]
King Salman Park[67][68] Riyadh 16 2019-03-19 2027 $23 billion [9]
Expo 2030Site[69] Riyadh 6.6[70] 2023-11-28 2030 $7.8 billion [10]
Riyadh Metro[71] Riyadh 2012-04-23 2024 $22.5 billion
King Abdullah International Gardens[72] Riyadh 2.5 2014-02-28[73] 2025 $200 million[74] [11]
King Salman Energy Park[75] BetweenDammamandAl-Ahsa 50 2018-12-05 2021 (first phase) $1.6 billion [12]
Jeddah Central[76] Jeddah 5.7 2021-12-17 2027 (first phase)
2030 (final phase)
$19.9 billion[77] [13]
Jeddah Economic City[78] Jeddah 5.3 2011-08-01 $30 billion[79] [14]
Masar Destination[80] Mecca 1.2[81] 2020-06-28[82] 2030 $26.66 billion[83] [15]
Great Mosque of Mecca[84] Mecca 0.25 2017 mid-2018 $21.3 billion
Rua Al Madinah,[85]including Islamic Civilization Village[86] Medina 1.5 2022-08-24 2026 (first phase
2030 (final phase)[87]
$37 billion[88] [16]
Development of Historical Mosques Multiple Locations 2018-11-12 $13.3 million[89] [17]
The Rig[90] Persian Gulf 0.3 2021-10-16 $5 billion[91] [18]
Al-Ula Vision[92][93] Al-Ula 22,500 2019-02-11 2027 $15 billion[94] [19]
Soudah Peaks[95] Asir 627 2023-09-25 2029[96] $7.7 billion[97] [20]
Al-Faisaliah project[98] West ofMecca 2,450 2017-07-26 2050[99]
Renewable Energy Projects[100] Multiple Locations 2018-03-27 2030 $200 billion

Implementation

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Vision Realization Programs

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To achieve the strategic goals and targets of Vision 2030, thirteen programs called Vision Realization Programs (VRPs) were established. The VRPs were presented byCouncil of Economic and Development Affairs(CEDA) on 24 April 2017:[101]

  1. Quality of Life Program
  2. Financial Sector Development Program
  3. Housing Program
  4. Fiscal Balance Program
  5. National Transformation Program
  6. Public Investment Fund Program
  7. Privatization Program
  8. National Companies Promotion Program
  9. National Industrial Development and Logistics Program
  10. Strategic Partnerships Program
  11. Hajj and Umrah Program
  12. Human Capital Development Program
  13. Saudi Character Enrichment Program

Supervision

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The plan is supervised by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammad bin Salman. Overall, Vision 2030's directions and decision-making roles lie within a Council of Ministers and aCouncil of Economic and Development Affairs(CEDA). CEDA's director, as well as the managers of the first 12 Vision Realization Programs, ensure proper adherence to the plan on the five-year level. Annually, each entity concerned is individually responsible for its budget and objectives.[citation needed]

Government entities reorganization

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To achieve the strategic objectives of Vision 2030, new government entities were created, and existing entities were reorganized and/or merged.[102]

New entity Previous entity
Council of Economic and Development Affairs
National Center for Performance Management
Ministry of Culture
General Authority for Entertainment
Strategic Management Committee and Strategic Management Office
Ministry of Commerce Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Investment
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs
Ministry of Energy Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and
Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture Ministry of Water and Electricity and Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Ministry ofHajj
Public Education Evaluation Commission Education Evaluation Commission

Critical reactions

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TheIMF's report on Saudi Arabia a few months following the announcement of Vision 2030 explained that the fiscal deficit in the Saudi economy would continue to narrow in 2016. It also claimed that recent, major government deposits at theSaudi Arabian Monetary Authority(SAMA) acted as policy buffers to smooth the transition that the plan requires.[103]In 2016, the IMF publicly warned that Saudi Arabia risks having no more foreign reserve currency within a 5-year period.[citation needed]In 2017, it projected that SAMA's net foreign assets would continue to decline, though remaining at a "comfortable level". It expects that the fiscal deficit will continue to improve over the coming years, also noting that non-performing loans remained low, despite a slight increase in 2017.[104]

Over 300 specific targets for 2020 have been announced across 25 government entities as part of the National Transformation Plan (NTP). The NTP brings over 150 expected initial public offerings. However, reports noted the "key person dependency" on Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman of the Vision and the NTP.[105]Other criticisms have been regarding the lack of information about the detailed plans to accompany the intended transformation.[106]

Certain journalists speculated that the plan's goals were overly Saudi Ambitious Move: Leading The Way In AI At FII Miami Summit, and noted that non-oil growth so far was insufficient and would threaten the plan's successful implementation.[107][108]One report felt that despite the national plan's overall forward-thinking direction, "political reform appears to be absent from the policy agenda".[7]

Reactions were mixed following the announcement that Saudi Arabia would lift the driving ban on women.[109]Similarly to the overarching Vision 2030, some understood the announcement via royal decree as acquiescing to outside pressure, while others applauded the move.[110]

According to a research paper written by Jane Kinninmont forChatham House,the structural disadvantages of the country such as weak institutions, inefficient bureaucracy, and significant skill gaps between labor demands and the education system hinder the growth prospects of the country. Rebalancing the job market in the private sector will also prove to be a challenge since it is currently mostly staffed by expatriates. One of the difficulties is that the private sector has lower salaries and expats are easier to hire and fire. Currently, twice as many Saudi nationals work in thepublic sectoras in the private sector. The challenge lies in getting a larger portion of nationals to accept lower-paying jobs with more hours than typical public jobs. The private sector must also be moved away from business activities that require very low-cost labor.[7]

According to Hilal Khashan, from the U.S. conservative think tankMiddle East Forum,to have the 2030 plan succeed ignoring the relationship between economic and political development is no longer a viable option, the developments required to increase the GDP as planned will encourage the breakage of the tribal system taking place. Another aspect is the "zero tolerance to corruption" that may be very difficult to achieve with a "society where family, tribal, and regional ties are stronger than the nebulous conception of state identity".[111]

The hosting of sporting events in Saudi Arabia under the strategy have been described as attempts tosportswashthe country's human rights record.[112][113]

In June 2020, following the killing of Abdulraheem al-Huwaiti of Huwait tribe, Saudi Crown PrinceMohammed bin Salman,hired a US Public Relations and Communications firmRuder Finn,to counter the negative aspects ofNEOMCity project. The country signed a contract worth $1.7 million, despite the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.[114][115]

After theassassination of Jamal Khashoggi,there has been a general reluctance among the international community to invest in Saudi Arabia. In addition, assets were moved overseas and the Gulf became economically unattractive.[116]Despite this, foreign investments in the country rose in 2018 by 110% over the previous year, according to theMinistry of Economy and Planning.[117]

In 2021, Saudi Arabia hired theBoston Consulting Group,and some other Western consultants, regarding its interest in bidding to co-host the2030 FIFA World Cup.These companies were given the responsibility of analyzing the possibilities of a Saudi bid. However, the bid was ultimately unsuccessful. Yet, uncertainties remained as Mohammed bin Salman maintained close ties with FIFA's PresidentGianni Infantino,and in 2023, Saudi Arabia eventually secured the rights to host the2034 FIFA World Cupby itself.[118][119][120]For the Vision 2030 program, Saudi has a major focus on sports, where it successfully signed contracts with Italy and Spain to host their domestic cup finals.[118]In October 2021, as a part of a consortium,the PIF obtained an 80% stake in Premier League club Newcastle United,following a previous failed takeover attempt in 2020.[121][122]Moreover, human rights groups have also been vocally opposing the Kingdom's efforts to stage major sports events, particularly after theassassination of Jamal Khashoggi.[118]On 24 November 2024,Jeddahhosted the lucrativeIndian Premier Leagueauction asSaudi Arabia Cricket Federationmentions strengthening cricket's position on global stage, on line with Vision 2030.[123]

In October 2021, Saudi authorities initiated alarge-scale demolitionand eviction plan for the Jeddah Central Project launched in December. The demolitions affected 558,000 people in more than 60 neighbourhoods.Amnesty Internationalconfirmed through official documents that some of the residents were notified about evictions only 24 hours before, while others were between 1–6 weeks. In some cases "evacuate" was written on the buildings, while the state media and billboards informed others about the demolitions to others.[124]The state media was also spreading a narrative about the residents, stating that the majority of them were undocumented. It was claimed the neighbourhoods were "rife with diseases, crime, drugs and theft".[125]In January 2022, Saudi authorities announced a compensation scheme, which didn't cover the foreign nationals that accounted for 47% of those evicted.[126]The compensation value was to be appraised after the demolitions.[127]Residents said the communities were being "destroyed" and it was difficult for the migrants to afford alternate housing. Some even complain about delays in compensation.[124]

In July 2022, Mohammed bin Salman released a promotional video, taking further the plans to build a 105-mile-long linear city, dubbed asThe Line.[128]Part of Neom, the project was designed to incorporate flying cars, robotic maids, and an artificial moon between two parallel mirrored buildings.[129]However, critics said it will create a "dystopian" facility. They were concerned that the utopian idea of The Line will harm the environment. Besides, it will also impact the movement of birds and other animals. A senior adviser to the New Urban Mobility Alliance, Carlos Felipe Pardo said, "This seems impossible, greatly limited or just plain artificial."[130][131]The project also remained questionable due to the possibility of its completion. It was noted that it could take nearly 50 years to give life to the idea, but urban planners of "The Line" were under a pressure to complete it by 2030. Moreover, some of the Saudi's paused ambitious projects of the past also left the linear city's construction idea in doubt.[132]

See also

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References

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