Analytical Report: Achievements of Saudi Vision 2030

Beth Agency:

Introduction:
Saudi Vision 2030 was launched on April 25, 2016, under the supervision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Its goal is to transform the Saudi economy and develop various sectors in the Kingdom to achieve long-term sustainability and prosperity. The Vision represents a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at diversifying the economy, reducing reliance on oil, and enhancing non-oil sectors such as tourism, technology, industry, education, and sports.

Objectives of Saudi Vision 2030:

Diversifying the Economy: Reducing reliance on oil as the primary source of income.
Empowering the Private Sector: Enabling the private sector to lead economic development.
Empowering Youth: Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through educational and training programs.
Achieving Environmental Sustainability: Shifting to clean energy and ensuring sustainable development.
Enhancing Saudi Arabia's Global Position: Raising the Kingdom's profile on both regional and international levels.
Key Achievements of Saudi Vision 2030 by 2025:

Developing the Non-Oil Sector:

Tourism Sector: Saudi Arabia has made significant progress in developing tourism, particularly religious and recreational tourism. For example, the Red Sea Project and NEOM City are major steps towards transforming the Kingdom into a global tourist destination.
Real Estate Development: Large-scale projects like the Qiddiya Project and the new Riyadh city are supporting tourism and the national economy by creating significant job opportunities.
Digital Transformation and Innovation:

Saudi Arabia has made progress in digitizing various sectors such as education, healthcare, and government services. The Digital Transformation Program was launched to enhance electronic services and improve the citizen experience.
The Saudi Space Agency and the smart city in NEOM were established to boost Saudi Arabia's position in modern technology and innovation.
Labor Market Reforms:

Remote Work: Programs for remote work have been activated, and flexible work environments are being developed.
National Workforce Program: To enhance national employment and reduce reliance on foreign labor in specific sectors.
Empowering Women:

Increased Women’s Participation in the Workforce: There has been a significant increase in women's participation in the workforce, and an environment has been created to enable women to work across various sectors.
Opening New Opportunities: Saudi women were granted the right to drive in 2018, allowing greater freedom of movement.
Legal Rights: New laws have been implemented to support women's rights in various areas such as travel and employment.
Sports Sector:

Several large-scale sports projects were launched, including the community sports initiative and investment in various sports such as football, basketball, and e-sports.
Saudi Arabia's sports infrastructure has developed, and statistics from 2024 show a 121% increase in participation in sports activities compared to the previous year.
The Kingdom hosted major international sports events such as Formula 1 and global golf tournaments.
Investment in Renewable Energy:

A key goal of Saudi Vision 2030 was the transition to clean energy, which has been achieved through projects such as the NEOM Green City and solar and wind energy initiatives.
Saudi Arabia has developed the "Saudi Green Initiative," which aims to reduce carbon emissions and increase green spaces in the Kingdom.
Education and Training:

Numerous educational and training programs were developed in collaboration with international universities.
Vocational training programs were launched to enhance the skills of Saudi youth and equip them with the practical knowledge required in the labor market.
Healthcare Reforms:

The healthcare system has been expanded, with significant improvements in hospital and healthcare center infrastructure.
Telemedicine and digital healthcare services have seen substantial growth in Saudi Arabia.
Government Agencies and Transparency Enhancement:

The Saudi Competition Authority and the National Anti-Corruption Commission were established to enhance transparency and integrity in government institutions.
Efforts have been made to improve the business environment by simplifying procedures and reducing bureaucracy.
Challenges:
Despite the achievements, some challenges still face the Kingdom in realizing the full potential of Vision 2030, such as:

Continued Dependence on Oil: While there has been progress in economic diversification, oil still remains a significant source of revenue.
Youth Unemployment: Despite developments in the labor market, there are still challenges in reducing youth unemployment, particularly among new graduates.
Non-Oil Economy: Although progress has been made, the full transition to a non-oil economy will require further time and effort.
Conclusion:
Saudi Vision 2030 represents a transformative shift in the Kingdom's history, offering an ambitious strategy to achieve profound economic and social transformation. While many tangible achievements have been realized, challenges remain to be addressed. With continued progress in the coming years, Saudi Arabia is expected to build a diversified economic base, enhancing its position both regionally and globally.

Overall, the Vision aims to make Saudi Arabia a strong economy, an attractive investment hub, and a creative society capable of realizing its citizens' aspirations.

What Has Been Achieved?

Significant achievements have been made within the framework of Saudi Vision 2030 since its launch in 2016. Efforts have focused on economic, social, and structural reforms. Below are the key accomplishments so far:

Diversification of the Economy and Reduced Dependence on Oil:

Developing Non-Oil Industries: Saudi Arabia has focused on growing non-oil sectors such as tourism, technology, industry, and renewable energy. For instance, large projects like the Red Sea Project, NEOM City, and Qiddiya have been launched to enhance the non-oil economy.
Public Investment Fund (PIF): The role of the PIF has been strengthened to invest in both local and international projects, creating new sources of income and enhancing the Kingdom's financial sustainability.
Tourism Sector:

Religious and Traditional Tourism: Saudi Arabia has seen a significant increase in the number of tourists, especially through the facilitation of visas and the increase in tourism activities. The Red Sea Project has been developed as a global tourist destination.
Recreational Tourism: Large-scale tourist and entertainment events have been launched, such as sports entertainment and Riyadh Season, diversifying the tourism sector and attracting visitors both locally and globally.
Visa Facilitation: For the first time in Saudi Arabia's history, tourist visas were introduced in 2019, opening the country up to global tourism.
Digital Transformation and Innovation:

Digital Transformation Program: Several initiatives have been launched to develop government digital services, making it easier for citizens to access government services. Technology has been improved in education, healthcare, and transport, with government apps such as Absher and Taysir enhancing electronic services.
Tech Initiatives: Digital innovation and artificial intelligence have been bolstered with major projects such as the Smart City in NEOM, which aims to become a global center for technological innovation.
Sports Sector:

Hosting Major Sports Events: Saudi Arabia has hosted several major international sports events, including Formula 1, world tennis championships, and global golf tournaments, enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a sports destination.
Sports Projects: Sports infrastructure has developed significantly, and community sports activities have been enhanced, leading to greater public participation in sports.
Empowering Women:

Women's Rights: Significant progress has been made in empowering women, granting them the right to drive in 2018 and encouraging greater participation in the workforce. The participation of women has increased in various fields, including sports, politics, and education.
Women in Leadership: Several women have been appointed to leadership positions in both the public and private sectors, such as empowering women in boards and institutions.
Improving the Business Environment:

Infrastructure Development: The infrastructure in Saudi Arabia has been modernized with major transportation projects like the railway system and airports, as well as the development of highways.
Legal and Administrative Reforms: Legal and administrative procedures have been simplified to facilitate business and encourage investment. Saudi Arabia has improved its ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index, moving from 92nd to 62nd globally.
Sustainability and Environment:

Renewable Energy: Large projects in solar and wind energy have been launched, with efforts to increase renewable energy in the national energy mix.
Environmental Initiatives: The Saudi Green Initiative has been launched, aiming to plant 10 billion trees over the coming decades and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Education and Training:

Digital Education Initiatives: Online education systems were developed, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continued learning.
Vocational Training: Vocational and professional training programs have been enhanced across many sectors, supporting the development of young Saudi talent with the skills needed in the labor market.
Social Reforms:

Improving Quality of Life: Many projects have been launched to improve quality of life in Saudi cities, including the development of public parks and cultural centers. Programs like the Quality of Life Program have been introduced to enhance citizens' well-being.
Cultural Diversity: Many cultural and artistic events representing Saudi diversity have been launched, such as global and local musical and artistic festivals.
Challenges and Future Outlook:

Despite these achievements, some challenges remain, including:

Youth Unemployment: The labor market still faces challenges in reducing youth unemployment, particularly among new graduates.
Reliance on Oil: Despite economic diversification progress, oil remains a key revenue source.
Conclusion:
Saudi Vision 2030 has made significant strides in various sectors, contributing to tangible improvements in the economic and social landscapes. While challenges persist, the Kingdom is on the right path toward achieving its goals, and continued progress is expected in the coming years to establish a diversified economic base and enhance its global standing.