Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Arabia: Successes and Challenges | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Saudi Arabian King Salman. (AFP/File)


Riyadh – King Salman finishes his second year in office on Sunday as Saudi Arabia’s seventh monarch, according to Islamic calendar. During this time, he proved in planning a state with institutionalized and modern law, run by the second and third generation in kingdom’s ruling while maintaining the authenticity of the path traveled by previous kings starting with King Abdul Aziz through the Kings Soud, Faisal, Khalid, Fahid and Abdulallah.

Today, is the second anniversary of Saudis pledging allegiance for the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul Aziz. During his reign, the kingdom had many successes and became an important player in the international arena.

Through his strict decrees, the king avoided many adversities and succeeded in achieving unprecedented accomplishments to attain sustainable development, especially in ending the total dependency on oil as a sole source for the state’s incomes, building a solid society, and a strong steady economy.

King Salman also approved strategies and policies that are the foundations of a comprehensive and sustainable reform stage to ensure the future of the upcoming generations and shield the country from the many disasters and events that took most of the countries around the world by storm whether in politics, economy and security.

The Custodian’s achievements are considered as part of his charismatic presence since he entered the political life as a crown prince and until he became a king.

The 25th son of the founding king inherited many traits and talents from his father, and had for over half a century a humanitarian and philanthropic presence, in addition to his knowledge in the diplomatic art of ruling.

Also, under the reign of King Salman, foreign policy of Saudi Arabia achieved many goals by following a stricter approach against anyone threatening the stability of the region. In addition, Saudi diplomacy was strongly present on the international arena up with all the superpower states and created exceptional alliances.

During the two years, King Salman received over 40 leaders and prime ministers.

In 2017, the Saudi economy will enter a new era where it depends on $237.3 billion in expenditure, largest to ever be set by the government.

Despite the fact that oil prices are still below levels of $60, Saudi Arabia managed with its successful economic policy to overcome the crisis of dropping oil prices.

Vision 2030 was launched last year, an ambitious vision which planned the country’s economy after it was adopted by the government chaired by the Custodian.

Vision 2030 is a prominent historical event in the kingdom’s economy, of which several national programs emerged including National Transformation Program NPT 2020.