Gassan al Kibsiver writes: \u00a0Over the past few weeks, the government of Saudi Arabia has been engaged in an unprecedented strategic policy review that could have ramifications for every aspect of the country\u2019s social and economic life.<\/p>\n
There are two reasons why change has become urgent. The first is the dramatic drop in global oil prices, from above $100 per barrel in the middle of 2014 to below $40 today.<\/p>\n
The second reason is demographic. In the next 15 years, some six million young Saudis will reach working age, putting enormous pressure on the labor market and potentially doubling its size.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0new Saudi leadership\u2019s recognizes the challenge and the possibilities that addressing the future can create.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has the potential to double its GDP and create six million additional jobs by 2030, enough to absorb the influx of young men \u2013 and, increasingly, young women \u2013 entering the labor market. To accomplish this however, the kingdom will have to dramatically reduce its unhealthy dependence on oil.<\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia has many sectors with strong potential for expansion. The country has substantial untapped deposits of metals and non-metallic minerals, including phosphate, gold, zinc, bauxite, and high-quality silica. Its retail sector is already growing quickly, but it lags behind in areas like e-merchandizing and supply-chain efficiencies.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s tourism sector could be developed and upgraded, not only for the millions of Muslim pilgrims who visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina every year, but also for leisure tourists. Saudi Arabia has a long coastline on the Red Sea. Exploiting these opportunities will require trillions of dollars in investment, radical improvements in productivity, and the government\u2019s firm, sustained commitment. Attaining this level of investment will require radical policy reforms. Transforming the economy will require\u00a0large improvements in productivity. \u00a0Jump-starting productivity growth will require reworking the kingdom\u2019s restrictions on business and labor practices. For now, the Saudi economy relies heavily on low-wage and low-productivity foreign workers on limited contracts; indeed, such workers hold more than half the jobs in the country.<\/p>\n
The most important priorities include boosting the efficiency of government spending and developing new sources of revenue to replace oil exports.<\/p>\n
Weaning Saudi Arabia\u2019s economy off oil will not be easy, and the kingdom has an uneven track record in this regard. But there are encouraging early signs about the government\u2019s focus, energy, and determination.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Gassan al Kibsiver writes: \u00a0Over the past few weeks, the government of Saudi Arabia has been engaged in an unprecedented strategic policy review that could have ramifications for every aspect of the country\u2019s social and economic life. There are two … Continue reading