What Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan has achieved at the five-year mark

Saudi Arabia’s then Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled the vision 5 years ago. (SPA)
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Updated 30 April 2021
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What Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan has achieved at the five-year mark

  • Experts say the programs have addressed structural challenges since the plan’s launch
  • Plans in the offing for transforming the Kingdom’s health sector among other targets

RIYADH: Five years ago, Saudi Arabia’s then Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled a strategic plan designed to transform the Kingdom’s economy, reduce its dependence on oil, and nurture a “vibrant society ... characterized by strong roots and strong foundations that emphasize moderate Islam, national pride, Saudi heritage and Islamic culture.”

On the same day, in an interview with Al Arabiya news channel, he talked about the Saudi government having targets, key performance indicators, and project management offices, thus charting a new course for a nation with 60 percent of its population aged under 35.

Five years on, in a review of Vision 2030’s results, Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic and Development Affairs highlighted on Tuesday the achievements covering the three major themes of “vibrant society,” “prosperous economy” and “ambitious nation.”

The council noted that access to emergency health services within 4 hours has improved from 36 percent when Vision 2030 was first inaugurated to 87 percent today. Better road management and enforcement has seen annual traffic accident fatalities fall to 13.5 deaths per 100,000, down from 28.8 when the reforms began.

The number of people participating in sports activities at least once a week has risen from 13 percent prior to the reforms to 19 percent in 2020.

“It helped develop sectors related to life quality, such as sports, entertainment, culture, tourism, and others,” Khalid Albaker, acting chief of marketing and communications at the Quality of Life Program, told Arab News.




Long dependent on oil exports, Saudi Arabia’s economy is now branching out. (AFP)

“It has also created job opportunities and diversified sources of income and contributed to GDP (gross domestic product).”

With regard to housing, the council noted that the number of homeowners has increased from 47 percent five years ago to 60 percent today as a result of more easily accessible housing assistance.

“This is in parallel with increasing the supply of housing units at reasonable prices, implementing programs specialized in securing housing for society’s underprivileged, developing and improving the legislative and regulative environment for the housing sector, and maximizing the sector’s impact on the overall economy,” Meshaal Al-Shammary, director of Housing VRP 2030’s studies and research department, told Arab News.

Separately, the number of heritage sites that can be visited in Saudi Arabia has risen from 241 in 2017 to 354 last year, creating new jobs in the tourism sector and contributing significantly to GDP, according to the council.




The number of heritage sites that can be visited in Saudi Arabia has risen from 241 in 2017 to 354 last year. (AFP)

To promote tourism, including religious pilgrimages to the Two Holy Mosques, the Kingdom has streamlined travel documentation. An Umrah visa, which previously took 14 days to process, can now be obtained within 5 minutes, while the tourist e-visa is just a few clicks away, according to the council.

During the same period, seven royal natural reserves to help preserve plant and animal species have been established.

As part of its commitment to combating climate change, the Kingdom has encouraged the concept of a circular carbon economy, adopted by the G20, and expanded its solar, hydrogen and ammonia projects.




One of the overriding goals of Vision 2030 is economic diversification. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia hopes to obtain 50 percenit of its energy capacity from renewables by 2030. This comes alongside the Saudi Green and Middle East Green initiatives, designed to boost vegetation, reduce carbon emissions, and combat pollution and land degradation.

On the financial front, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has doubled to approximately SR1.5 trillion in five years while foreign direct investment has increased from SR5.321 billion to SR17.625 billion.


To simplify foreign investment, Vision 2030 has developed the financial sector, adding the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) to the emerging market indices MSCI and Standard & Poor’s Dow Jones.




non-oil GDP ratio rose from 55 percent in 2016 to 59 percent in 2020. (AFP)

With the establishment of the Fintech Saudi Center, the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) has become one of the 10 largest financial markets around the world, according to the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

“The (coronavirus disease) COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the speed of adoption of modern solutions and technologies in various financial transactions, especially in financial payments, lending and financing services,” Abdullah Al-Jaidan, a member of the National Committee for Information Technology and Communication at the Council of Saudi Chambers, told Arab News.

One of the overriding goals of Vision 2030 is economic diversification. Long dependent on oil exports, Saudi Arabia’s economy is now branching out. Its non-oil GDP ratio rose from 55 percent in 2016 to 59 percent in 2020. Non-oil revenues also rose from SR166 billion in 2015 to SR369 billion last year.

Saudi Arabia is now a digitally competitive nation. It is ranked sixth among the G20 states in the Global Cybersecurity Index of the International Telecommunication Union, having expanded connectivity from 1.2 million homes in 2017 to 3.5 million by 2020.

“Saudi innovation in digital payments wouldn’t be possible without a visionary investment in the entire information and communications technology infrastructure,” Ibrahim Al-Hudhaif, a business development specialist at Sulaiman Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi Holding Co., told Arab News.

“Both residents and corporations in Saudi have benefited from well-established infrastructure. The majority of government transactions are made online, enhancing services delivery and easing business transactions.”

Through legislation designed to protect their personal and professional rights, workforce participation among Saudi women increased from 19.4 percent in 2017 to 33.2 percent in 2020.




Ibrahim Al-Hudhaif

The five years since the launch of Saudi Vision 2030 has also seen greater accessibility to public institutions and progress in the fight against corruption.

The total money recovered by the public treasury following anti-corruption settlements reached SR247 billion in the past three years, representing 20 percent of total non-oil revenues, in addition to tens of non-cash assets transferred to the finance ministry.
 




Workforce participation among Saudi women increased from 19.4 percent in 2017 to 33.2 percent in 2020. (AFP)

The council also said that law courts have become more effective and accessible, and a culture of accountability is becoming entrenched within government and among citizens.

Vision 2030 planners want to increase public participation and private-sector partnerships in the next phase, with plans in the offing for a health-sector transformation among other ambitious targets.

As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has noted, much more remains to be done on various fronts to achieve Vision 2030’s goals.


Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence

Updated 28 February 2025
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Salsola tetrandra shrub reappears in Northern Borders after decades-long absence

  • Environment authorities have attributed the disappearance of the plant in the 1990s to overgrazing
  • The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock

ARAR: A vital pastoral shrub once widespread in the Hamad area of Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region has reappeared after decades of absence, the Saudi Press Agency reports.

Environment authorities have attributed the near extinction of the plant in the 1990s due to overgrazing.

Lately, Salsola tetrandra shrubs had been reported in inaccessible, rocky areas, signaling the plant's potential for recovery.

The plant is considered a crucial food source for wildlife and livestock. It also plays a critical role in providing sustenance for animals, stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, contributing to the sustainability of natural pastures, and reflecting the Kingdom's rich environmental diversity.

Authorities are intensifying efforts to enhance pasture rehabilitation programs and combat overgrazing, aiming to restore the plant to its previous ecological status. 

National environmental protection efforts are expected to facilitate the broader return of Salsola tetrandra in the coming years, bolstering environmental sustainability and restoring balance to natural ecosystems in the Northern Borders.

The Kingdom has been in the forefront of the global campaign to restore ecological balance, with an ambitious plan to plant 10 billions trees and shrubs. 

Since its launch of the Saudi Green Initiative in 2021, the Kingdom has planted 100 million trees and shrubs and rehabilitated 118,000 hectares of degraded land.


Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations

Updated 28 February 2025
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Najran’s Al-Samraa brown wheat a popular choice for Ramadan preparations

  • Increase in demand attributed to the variety's high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits
  • Al-Samraa brown wheat is a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as the Raqsh and Wafd 

NAJRAN: Wheat produced in Saudi Arabia’s southern region of Najran is experiencing a significant increase in demand as people across the region prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) has reported.

Among the most popular type is the Al-Samraa brown wheat, known locally as Al-Bur Al-Najrani, a staple ingredient in numerous popular dishes such as the Raqsh and Wafd. 

“The increased demand for Najrani wheat during Ramadan is attributed to its high quality, nutritional value, and health benefits,” SPA said, adding that the variety is rich in vitamins B and E, folic acid, zinc, and dietary fiber.

Al-Samraa is one of the 13 products in Saudi Arabia that had been chosen by the Slow Food’s Ark of Taste, a US-based organization that catalogs “delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction.” 

Al-Samraa is one of the 13 products in Saudi Arabia that had been chosen by the Slow Food's Ark of Taste. (SPA file photo)

“By identifying and championing these foods, we keep them in production and on our plates,” says the website of Slow Food, which has added more than 3,500 products from over 150 countries to its International Ark of Taste.

Earlier this month, the regional office of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MEWA) said Najran farmers expect to harvest their wheat crops in March. Crop planting began in early October, just before the onset of the winter season in the Kingdom.

Farmers told SPA that their Samraa wheat crops were cultivated without the use of chemicals and that advancements in agricultural machinery have enhanced efficiency and product quality.

Last year, the Najran brown wheat was featured in the inaugural Najran Wheat Festival organized by the MEWA and Social Development Bank to showcase the region’s cultural heritage.

Najran's Al-Samraa wheat is unhybridized and naturally grown, a heritage passed down from generation to generation. (SPA file photo)

“This unhybridized, naturally grown wheat is a heritage we received from our ancestors,” farmer Mohammed Al-Mansour was quoted by SPA as saying. 

“We use minimal irrigation to protect it from pests, ensuring its high quality,” Al-Mansour added.

According to the Cooperative Agricultural Association West of Najran, traditional wheat cultivation involved meticulous steps, requiring thorough land preparation and irrigation. Farmers also relied on animals for land preparation and harvesting. Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and use of advanced machineries. 

Wheat farming has been made easier today with the introduction of modern planting methods and use of advanced machineries. (SPA)

Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking

Updated 28 February 2025
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Saudi interior minister, Syrian intelligence official discuss combating drug trafficking

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif received in Riyadh on Thursday the deputy chief of Syria’s General Intelligence Service Muwaffaq Doukhi, the Saudi Press Agency said.

The officials discussed cooperation in the field of combating drug trafficking.

Director of Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Department Khaled Eid, Director of the Criminal Investigation Department Marwan Al-Ali, and a number of senior officials attended the meeting.

Doukhi and Eid visited earlier the General Directorate of Public Security and the General Directorate of Anti-Narcotics in Riyadh. 

The Syrian officials were briefed on the work mechanism, security tasks, and the latest technologies used in the directorates.


How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

Updated 27 February 2025
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How Saudi Arabia is using advanced automated systems to tackle traffic congestion

  • SDAIA’s Sawaher is revolutionizing traffic management by harnessing data — from citywide trends down to individual streets
  • The upgrade has already cut road accident fatalities, reduced traffic, and improved the flow of vehicles during major events

RIYADH: Congestion is a major concern for residents of Saudi Arabia’s cities. Commuters in Riyadh alone lose an average of 52 hours in traffic annually, according to a 2024 estimate.

While projects like the Riyadh Metro, which opened the last of its lines in January, are doing their part to ease the flow of cars, the city’s population is still projected to grow from around 8 million today to 9.6 million in 2030, presenting further challenges.

The Saudi Data and AI Authority, in collaboration with government entities, has developed several systems that generate vast amounts of information on road traffic, ranging from a macro, citywide level to individual streets.

One of these is the Sawaher system, a national platform designed to analyze streams of images and videos using artificial intelligence and computer vision, providing real-time insights. One of its key use cases is in traffic management.

Another is the Smart C platform, which leverages data and artificial intelligence technologies to monitor, analyze, and predict operational indicators, supporting decision-making in smart city management. 

“Riyadh is becoming a very busy city, so we need to be innovative, we need to act fast,” Mohammed Al-Buqami, general manager of product development at SDAIA’s Estishraf, told Arab News. 

Mohammed Al-Buqami

The system developed by SDAIA analyzes data in detail, identifying accident hotspots and comparing seasonal fluctuations.

Areas with a high number of fatal accidents are assessed for whether or not signage or road infrastructure can be improved to cut down on collisions.

“Ramadan specifically will have different spots than any other month in the year,” Al-Buqami said, as working hours and commuting patterns shift during the holy month. 

When a recent event in Riyadh attracted a huge number of visitors, it caused a ripple effect of congestion. That is why SDAIA, in collaboration with government entities, decided to develop a new tool “to ensure that traffic at the gate does not cause congestion in the surrounding area or impact major roads,” Al-Buqami said.

Looking to the future and problems that may arise from a rising population, SDAIA is working to introduce new technologies, and recently carried out a bootcamp for budding AI experts who came up with the idea for a robot that detects cracks, potholes, and puddles on the city’s roads, as well as an automated accident response system.

While SDAIA is on the cutting edge of data analytics and automated traffic management, the Kingdom has been implementing advanced technology solutions for road safety for more than a decade. 

Saher, the automated penalty system, was developed in 2009 and launched the following year by the Ministry of Interior, using a network of cameras and radars.

The installation of Saher camera along major roads in Saudi Arabia have led to a reduction in speeding and reckless driving violations. (AN file photo)

When cameras detect a violation such as speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, texting while driving, or other such offenses, the system retrieves the vehicle owner’s details from the database and automatically issues a fine sent to the driver via SMS.

“The Saher system illustrates how AI and automation can revolutionize traffic enforcement and improve road safety,” Hasan Al-Ahmadi, associate professor at the Department of Civil Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, told Arab News.

Saher operates continuously, ensuring consistent enforcement of traffic laws without relying on human oversight.

DID YOU KNOW?

• By the end of 2023, Saudi Arabia had 15.1 million roadworthy vehicles — a 6.2 percent increase from 2022.

• In 2016, the country’s road traffic fatality rate was 28.8 per 100,000 people.

• Vision 2030 reforms have cut road deaths by 54 percent, dropping to 13.6 per 100,000 from 2016 to 2023.

It can identify and track road users moving through cities, automatically recognizing number plates and allowing law enforcement officers to pinpoint stolen or wanted vehicles.

Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. 

Saher cameras are placed at regular intervals and their watchful eye can detect infractions as minor as changing lanes excessively or not leaving enough room between vehicles. (Supplied)

The system uses machine learning to study driver behaviors over time, identifying trends such as habitual speeding or repeated violations. Insights from this analysis are used for educational campaigns or stricter penalties for repeat offenders, said Al-Ahmadi, who has published a number of research papers on automation and road safety in Saudi Arabia.

The professor noted that a number of studies have shown decreases of up to 30 percent in speeding violations and red-light infractions since Saher was introduced. 

In Dammam, accident rates dropped by approximately 20 percent, while congestion was reduced by around 20 percent in Dammam and Jeddah. 

Congestion in Dammam's roads has been reduced by around 20 percent since the introduction of the Saher traffic monitoring system. (SPA file photo)

Meanwhile, studies also show that emergency response times improved by between 20-30 percent, Al-Ahmadi said.

In 2016, road accidents were the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. A total of 21 people were killed in crashes every day — almost one every hour. 

These findings spurred the government into action. By 2023, fatal accidents had fallen by 54 percent.

Data and analytics were a key part of this success, with the number of road cameras increasing by 320 percent from 2016 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization report. Analyzing data from the country’s death registry also played a part.

Al-Ahmadi sees a future where even more advanced technology can play a part in making Saudi Arabia’s roads safer.

As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, says Assistant Professor Hasan Al-Ahmadi of KFUPM's Department of Civil Engineering. (Supplied)

Drone technology could be used for real-time traffic monitoring in areas with limited camera coverage, he said. Integrating intersection management systems with self-driving vehicles could be another advanced solution.

Al-Ahmadi also suggested that monitoring technology could be upgraded to analyze drivers’ facial expressions, blink rates, and head movements to detect fatigue or distraction.

As Saudi Arabia moves towards a more sustainable society, automated systems could also monitor vehicle emissions and impose penalties in high-pollution zones, Al-Ahmadi added. 

While the Kingdom’s cities continue to grow at a rapid rate, the problem of congestion and road safety is not going anywhere. 

However, with a combination of automated technology and continuous monitoring, as well as the introduction of new infrastructure projects, officials have found early success in reducing fatalities and look poised to keep the issue at bay.

 


Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir

Updated 27 February 2025
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Saudi Border Guards thwart major drug smuggling operations in Asir

ABHA: Border Guard land patrols in Asir’s Al-Raboua sector thwarted the smuggling of 300 kg of qat. Initial legal procedures were completed, and the seized items were handed to the relevant authorities.

In a separate incident, land patrols operating in the Dhahran Al-Janoub sector apprehended a Saudi national attempting to smuggle 40 kg of hashish. The suspect was processed according to protocol and, along with the seized narcotics, handed to the relevant authorities.

Security officials continue to encourage public vigilance, urging citizens and residents to report any information related to drug trafficking or distribution. Reports can be made by dialing 911 in Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, 999 in all other regions, or directly to the General Directorate of Narcotics Control at 995. Information can also be submitted electronically via email.