Saudi Vision 2030: The world is watching, as TPW discovered on a recent visit to Riyadh and AlUla…
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 needs no introduction. In The Kingdom’s own words, it’s ‘an ambitious roadmap for economic diversification, global engagement and enhanced quality of life’, that was introduced by the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz (known as MBS). What we witnessed on a recent TPW business trip to Riyadh was a heady mix of unabated ambition and action, driving huge transformation in The Kingdom across all sectors. From sports and entertainment to minerals, healthcare and logistics. There is, quite simply, no hanging around. Apart from in traffic jams. There are quite a few of them.
Smashing targets
So great are the aspirations of the KSA that some of its targets for six years’ time – in the fields of mining and tourism, for example – have already been met. We heard it straight from the ministers in charge at a PIF private sector event in February. Of course, money makes things happen. But behind the wealth is a thought-out long-term strategy, as the country moves away from oil.
“We don’t just build and think later, simply bringing in foreign resources and labour. If we need cement, we will create a cement factory, a production line and a supply chain. This kind of thinking is what will bolster our economy in the future,” a Saudi businessman tells me at a meeting in the capital.
And I don’t doubt it. Saudi is now a place where things happen. No vision is too extravagant or beyond the realms of the possible.
A spotlight on culture
Talking of tourism, TPW was privileged to visit AlUla in the north-west of Saudi Arabia, a place of extraordinary beauty, boasting exceptional heritage. Lush valleys meet dusty plains and sandstone mountains. And an ancient cultural site dating back thousands of years – Hegra – The Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
What we encountered was a quiet, magical place full of The Kingdom’s past traditions, while nodding to enthusiastic future intentions, thanks to investment in and focus on culture. And from the conversations we had, Saudi is now firmly part of the Middle East art circuit, agenda and discussions – while perhaps the UAE’s Bienniale and Art Dubai previously dominated in the region.
Poster child of Saudi ambitions
Not too far away to the west of AlUla lies the NEOM giga-project – the development of a futuristic, sustainable city; the poster child for Saudi’s aspirations. NEOM is a project to transform Saudi’s Red Sea coastal are, with ‘The Line’ as its showstopper. A proposed linear ‘cognitive’ city, a ‘mirrored architectural masterpiece’ towering 500 metres above sea level, redefining what future cities look like.
In the words of The Line’s Chief Development Officer, Denis Hickey: “The energy within Saudi Arabia at the moment is incredible.”
A charged atmosphere
And we can vouch for that. Procrastination of any kind simply no longer exists. Whatever your views on the KSA, what we experienced in the Saudi capital and in the deserts of the north, was a palpably charged atmosphere. Let’s get things done. And to exceptional standards.
I did ask a few people on our visit: ‘What happens after 2030?’ No clear answer on that, yet. Too much to do right now.
