Since coming to power in 2015, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pressed ahead with his ambitious plan, Vision 2030, to diversify the Saudi economy and attract foreign investment. The vision was applauded by many as a way to propel the country into the 21st century and adopt more socially progressive practices such as allowing women to drive.
When Vision 2030 was introduced however, some experts were not as optimistic. They worried that Vision 2030’s goals were unattainable, partly because of traditional Saudi culture that places limits women, a workforce that did not have access to education, and religious conservatism. These skeptics may have been right. Since 2016, foreign direct investment (FDI) has dropped more than 80%, making Vision’s 2030 goal of attracting $18.7 in FDI by 2030 impossible. Between 2016 and 2017 over $140 billion dollars’ worth of capital has fled the country-- possibly signaling that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lacks support from his people.
Over the last two years, diplomatic relations have also deteriorated between Saudi Arabia and many Western countries. The already complex US- Saudi relationship has been further complicated by the circumstances surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the kingdom. Given these changes, what does the economic and political future of country look like?
Join Ms. Al-Shawwa, Vice President with the Albright Stonebridge's Middle East and North Africa practice, to gain more insight on the political, economic, and social reforms now sweeping the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. She’ll explore what the privatization of key industries and the reversal of a longtime ban on women driving might mean for the future and foreign investors.
SPEAKER:
Sarah Al-ShawwafVice President, Albright Stonebridge Group's Middle East and North Africa Practice
show less
When Vision 2030 was introduced however, some experts were not as optimistic. They worried that Vision 2030’s goals were unattainable, partly because of traditional Saudi culture that places limits women, a workforce that did not have access to education, and religious conservatism. These skeptics may have been right. Since 2016, foreign direct investment (FDI) has dropped more than 80%, making Vision’s 2030 goal of attracting $18.7 in FDI by 2030 impossible. Between 2016 and 2017 over $140 billion dollars’ worth of capital has fled the country-- possibly signaling that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lacks support from his people.
Over the last two years, diplomatic relations have also deteriorated between Saudi Arabia and many Western countries. The already complex US- Saudi relationship has been further complicated by the circumstances surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the kingdom. Given these changes, what does the economic and political future of country look like?
Join Ms. Al-Shawwa, Vice President with the Albright Stonebridge's Middle East and North Africa practice, to gain more insight on the political, economic, and social reforms now sweeping the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. She’ll explore what the privatization of key industries and the reversal of a longtime ban on women driving might mean for the future and foreign investors.
SPEAKER:
Sarah Al-ShawwafVice President, Albright Stonebridge Group's Middle East and North Africa Practice
Since coming to power in 2015, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has pressed ahead with his ambitious plan, Vision 2030, to diversify the Saudi economy and attract foreign investment. The vision was applauded by many as a way to propel the country into the 21st century and adopt more socially progressive practices such as allowing women to drive.
When Vision 2030 was introduced however, some experts were not as optimistic. They worried that Vision 2030’s goals were unattainable, partly because of traditional Saudi culture that places limits women, a workforce that did not have access to education, and religious conservatism. These skeptics may have been right. Since 2016, foreign direct investment (FDI) has dropped more than 80%, making Vision’s 2030 goal of attracting $18.7 in FDI by 2030 impossible. Between 2016 and 2017 over $140 billion dollars’ worth of capital has fled the country-- possibly signaling that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lacks support from his people.
Over the last two years, diplomatic relations have also deteriorated between Saudi Arabia and many Western countries. The already complex US- Saudi relationship has been further complicated by the circumstances surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the kingdom. Given these changes, what does the economic and political future of country look like?
Join Ms. Al-Shawwa, Vice President with the Albright Stonebridge's Middle East and North Africa practice, to gain more insight on the political, economic, and social reforms now sweeping the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. She’ll explore what the privatization of key industries and the reversal of a longtime ban on women driving might mean for the future and foreign investors.
SPEAKER:
Sarah Al-ShawwafVice President, Albright Stonebridge Group's Middle East and North Africa Practice
read more
When Vision 2030 was introduced however, some experts were not as optimistic. They worried that Vision 2030’s goals were unattainable, partly because of traditional Saudi culture that places limits women, a workforce that did not have access to education, and religious conservatism. These skeptics may have been right. Since 2016, foreign direct investment (FDI) has dropped more than 80%, making Vision’s 2030 goal of attracting $18.7 in FDI by 2030 impossible. Between 2016 and 2017 over $140 billion dollars’ worth of capital has fled the country-- possibly signaling that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman lacks support from his people.
Over the last two years, diplomatic relations have also deteriorated between Saudi Arabia and many Western countries. The already complex US- Saudi relationship has been further complicated by the circumstances surrounding the death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and critic of the kingdom. Given these changes, what does the economic and political future of country look like?
Join Ms. Al-Shawwa, Vice President with the Albright Stonebridge's Middle East and North Africa practice, to gain more insight on the political, economic, and social reforms now sweeping the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. She’ll explore what the privatization of key industries and the reversal of a longtime ban on women driving might mean for the future and foreign investors.
SPEAKER:
Sarah Al-ShawwafVice President, Albright Stonebridge Group's Middle East and North Africa Practice
show less
Date/Times:
312 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor , San Francisco, CA 94108
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