Saudi Arab To Initiate Social and Economic Reforms From June 24th
Saudi Arab To Initiate Social and Economic Reforms From June 24: Saudi Arabia, is undertaking major social and economic reforms including allowing women to drive from June 24.
A short overview of the kingdom´s long term modernization drive under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Reform Plan To Reduce Dependence on Oil
Vision 2030, approved in April 2016, includes privatizing part of oil giant Aramco and creating a $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund. It will also elevate the role of women in the workforce and massively invest in the underdeveloped entertainment sector to boost domestic spending.
In August 2017 Saudi Arabia announces a major tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts.
It plans to issue tourist visas in 2018, another first for the desert kingdom though no firm date is announced.
Opportunities For Women
Saudi Arab in September 2017, announces the end of a ban on women driving, the only one of its kind in the world, to take effect in June 2018.
In other reforms, women are allowed to enter a football stadium to watch a match for the first time in January 2018.
In February, Riyadh announces women will be allowed to open their own businesses without the consent of a male relative.
The same month, a scholar on the kingdom´s highest religious body says on television women should not have to wear the abaya. It is the first such comment from a senior religious figure. In May Riyadh adopts a law outlawing sexual harassment.
Restrictions remain though, including that women need permission from a male relative to study and travel.
Opening of Cinema And Fashion Week
In February 2018, the kingdom announces it will invest $64 billion in boosting its lagging entertainment sector, including for new venues and flying in Western acts.
The first concerts are held in December, followed by the country´s first-ever jazz festival in February and an opera that draws crowds at Riyadh University.
In April Riyadh hosts its first Fashion Week, although the event was women-only.
It also holds its first public film screening in more than 35 years, with what theater owners say sold-out showing of Hollywood blockbuster “Black Panther”.
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