Winds of change in Saudi Arabia
IT had been a couple of years since my last visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and I arrived loaded with several critical views. The rather long passport control process in the old airport of Jeddah — waiting in a queue of Umrah pilgrims, and a few Westerners, for the entry stamp — reminded me of the former procedures. There was no friendly “ahlan wa sahlan” — I was greeted with a serious face.
But the first surprise on this trip to Saudi Arabia came at the 5- star hotel where I was staying: The reception was manned by Saudi nationals, who did their jobs in a professional manner. If this was matched with friendliness it would have been even more successful; this is something that is especially important in the hospitality sector.
I had the chance to participate in the Top CEO Conference, which took place for the first time in Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Economic City, some 120 km north of Jeddah. This conference was previously held in Dubai, and assembled some top economic and business leaders from the region, as well as foreign CEOs and specialists.
What struck me was the business- like international atmosphere in which men and women participated together on an equal footing. Different and difficult topics — such as the image of the Arab world abroad — were successfully handled and discussed very frankly.
The different workshops were well organized and the discussions professional and open. Indeed, the test of whether such an important international meeting can be held in Saudi Arabia was passed with flying colors.
It was a big difference to the male- only conferences I had attended in the Kingdom in the past. There was no nice flattery or endless speeches of allegiance, but real exchanges of different views that were seriously discussed. To me, this was a sign of the increasing efforts to become more open and efficient in dealing with the manifold problems Saudi Arabia faces, with its ambitious plan to move from a rentier state dependent on oil revenues to a modern diversified economy.
Half of the population of Saudi Arabia is made up of women and their participation in the workforce is just starting to pick up. Any country which does not allow half its population to actively engage in the development of a modern economy will not be successful. Without bringing the young generation — men and women — on board and winning their hearts and minds, the ambitious Vision 2030 reforms cannot be realized within the set timeframe.
Women are well prepared and highly motivated to participate. More difficult is the motivation of young Saudi males, many of whom prefer jobs in the government sector. For many among them, competition and hard work is new territory. Education and training for the job will be extremely important for the successful development of an efficient private economy. Cooperation in this field with foreign partners will remain important and should be extended.
Dialogue with all groups in Saudi society, the creation of equal opportunities on the basis of social justice, and a more transparent decision- making process should be further developed.
Saudi Arabia is a conservative country and will only slowly modernize and open up. But the gentle breeze of change can be felt: The Saudi Arabia of 2017 is not the Saudi Arabia of 10 years ago. More must be done, step by step and in harmony with existing traditions.
The Kingdom should seek more cooperation with Europe and strengthen the dialogue with the West on education, culture and civil society issues. Security and peace are also important for further development. Regional cooperation is an important tool, as the Top CEO Conference has shown.
The political situation is unfortunately overshadowed by the many conflicts raging in the wider Arab world and in the immediate neighborhood. The threat of radical organizations like Daesh is real. The answer to all these threats should be the creation of a harmonious society living in freedom and dignity and in a peaceful, participatory environment. Finally, in my humble opinion peace cannot be achieved by wars and weapons but by negotiations, compromises and better development policies. Dr. Gunter Mulack is a retired German ambassador and at present the executive director of the German Orient Institute in Berlin. He was ambassador to Bahrain, Kuwait and Syria and consul general in Casablanca, along with other postings.