Arab News

KSA: a symphony of transforma­tion

- ABDULELAH S. AL-NAHARI Abdulelah S. Al-Nahari is a business and MarCom partner at a marketing solutions firm and leads strategic growth initiative­s in line with Saudi Arabia’s digital-first vision. He has multi-sector awareness, strategic digital foresigh

Cast aside the well-worn tales of a land bound in tradition. Saudi Arabia is on a meteoric rise, a testament to the transforma­tive power of Vision 2030. This is no mere set of plans and targets; it is a blueprint for a nation determined to etch its own destiny on the world stage.

But how does one measure such grand aspiration­s? The Vision 2030 annual report spills forth figures that sing of progress. Like a maestro conducting an orchestra of change, the Kingdom has shattered expectatio­ns. Non-oil revenues have soared by an exhilarati­ng 127 percent, proving that our strength lies not solely beneath our feet, but in our ingenuity. This is more than just money changing hands — it is about a nation embracing self-reliance, a nation ready to play a leading role in the global concert. Yet, the heart of any nation thrums to the beat of its people. In its eighth year, Saudi Vision 2030 has illuminate­d a new path, creating opportunit­ies where previously there were barriers. Here, potential does not discrimina­te. Unemployme­nt shrinks with every cycle of the moon, and the true force of this transforma­tion is mirrored in the indomitabl­e spirit of our women. Once stifled, they now blaze trails as innovators and leaders, reshaping society with an unstoppabl­e energy born from centuries of waiting. This change pulsates throughout the Kingdom, altering the very essence of our daily existence. Beneath the eternal rhythms of prayer and the echoes of ancient civilizati­ons, a modern melody arises. Giga-projects like Qiddiya stand as beacons of a sustainabl­e future, destinatio­ns where cutting-edge technology respectful­ly harmonizes with the natural world. The Red Sea Project offers an alluring symphony of tourism and conservati­on, a testament that respect for the past is an essential ingredient in building a vibrant tomorrow. Saudi Arabia’s soul is woven from threads of history and tradition. Our heritage is our compass, not an anchor. We understand that the strength of our lineage lies not just in forgotten stones, but in making it accessible to the world. Investment in sites like AlUla, a UNESCO treasure, ensures that we are not just witnesses to our own history, but its caretakers and proud sharers of its wisdom. Saudi Vision 2030 is a testament that a strong citizenry lies in its deep-rooted position in the Arab and Islamic worlds, granting it an authentic cultural status deeply embedded in history.

True transforma­tion is never without its challenges. Bureaucrat­s, like echoes trapped in dusty corridors, cling to the old ways. The global marketplac­e can be merciless, its fickle winds threatenin­g to upset the most carefully charted course. Yet, the essence of this vision, what propels the Kingdom onward, is an unyielding spirit. It is a hunger for a better future, a collective gasp of “Why not us?” when the world has too often said: “You cannot.”

The world’s gaze is drawn anew to Saudi Arabia and the wider region. This is not just about claiming our seat at the global table — but about upending the table itself, rewriting the old narratives with stories of innovation and collaborat­ion. The Kingdom is a hub linking continents, its strategic geographic­al location pulsing with opportunit­y. In the flows of goods and ideas, we forge new partnershi­ps built on respect, letting our actions dismantle stereotype­s and proclaim to the world what we have always known about ourselves.

Saudi Vision 2030 is a testament that a strong citizenry lies in its deeprooted position in the Arab and Islamic worlds, granting it an authentic cultural status deeply embedded in history.

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