1448.. نحو قمم التنمية العالمية

At the beginning of a new Hijri year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seems to stand on the edge of an expanding light, holding in one hand the legacy of the past year, and in the other, the keys to a year born from the womb of ambition. It moves forward with confident steps, looking back only to measure the distance it has traveled, and looking ahead only to choose peaks higher than it has ever known.
A new year dawns, bringing with it the will of a nation that has decided to shape its future with its own hands, to write the chapters of its renaissance with ink made of achievement, and to continue its journey towards a vision that renews itself every day, growing larger as the Saudi dream expands.

Economic Leaps

The past year witnessed a historic decline in the unemployment rate among citizens, reaching 7.2%, alongside an increase in women's participation in the labor market to over 35%; reflecting the success of national policies in empowering Saudi talents. The "Updated Investment System" also represented a pivotal turning point, having eliminated bureaucratic complexities and transformed licenses into instant digital registrations through the Saudi Business Center, contributing to the influx of hundreds of global companies to Riyadh to establish their regional headquarters.

Tourism Renaissance

In the tourism sector, the Kingdom achieved an unprecedented leap by ranking first globally in the growth of international tourism revenues, supported by the development of new tourist destinations and the facilitation of entry procedures, alongside notable environmental achievements represented in the rehabilitation of the first million hectares as part of the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative.

Qualitative Transformation

With the entry into the year 1448 AH, the Kingdom is transitioning from the phase of "building capabilities" to the phase of "maximizing economic impact and sustainability," as attention turns to the actual operation of the initial phases of major projects; such as vital destinations in NEOM, the Red Sea, and Qiddiya, in addition to the accelerating expansion of "Roshn" residential communities, and an anticipated boom in the entertainment and sports sectors, coinciding with intensive preparations to host Expo 2030 and the World Cup 2034.

The Economy of the Future

This year also witnesses an enhancement of digital sovereignty through the expansion of artificial intelligence applications, and greater support for the growth of small and medium enterprises to raise their contribution to the GDP to over 23%. At the same time, the Kingdom is looking to invest its estimated mineral wealth of $2.5 trillion to drive advanced industries and renewable energy towards new horizons.

Renewed Vision

The Kingdom continues this year its journey of profound national transformation, with tangible progress in the sectors of renewable energy, industry, tourism, sports, and technology, enhancing its position as a global logistics hub, developing the investment ecosystem, and improving the efficiency of digital government services. There is also a notable focus on sustainability issues, empowering youth, developing infrastructure, and expanding international partnerships.

Prospects for 1448 AH

In this new year, Saudi Arabia looks forward to a more mature phase in implementing its vision, through deepening economic diversification, expanding the scope of national industries, and enhancing its presence in the global economy, alongside continuing to elevate the quality of life, developing the culture, sports, and tourism ecosystem, and making greater progress in the sectors of space, biotechnology, education, and skills.