The “Socrates” podcast today hosts engineer Thamer Al-Saadoun, the CEO of the National Transformation Program, in a deep conversation about the achievements and challenges faced by the program since its launch in 2016. The discussion highlights the National Transformation Program as one of the key components of Saudi Vision 2030, as it was designated to achieve 40% of the objectives of this vision. The conversation covers a range of essential topics such as progress made in improving the business environment, empowering women, and enhancing government services, in addition to handling crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Al-Saadoun also shares his vision regarding the challenges facing the program, including the need for a better understanding of initiatives and the results achieved. The dialogue also emphasizes the importance of partnerships with the private sector, revealing government efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens through a variety of projects and initiatives. At the end of the discussion, the participants address questions from the audience, adding an interactive dimension to the dialogue and highlighting the challenges faced by the National Transformation Program in its pursuit of its ambitious goals.
National Transformation in Saudi Vision 2030
The National Transformation represents one of the main executive programs of Saudi Vision 2030, launched in 2016 in response to the economic and social challenges facing the Kingdom. This program was an expression of the government’s desire to enhance governmental performance, establish the foundations of sustainable development, and achieve the strategic objectives set out in the vision. The National Transformation includes 37 strategic objectives, covering various sectors such as education, health, economy, and culture. This program reflects the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens by enhancing public services and increasing efficiency. As the first phase of implementation approached its end in 2020, evaluating the achievements that had been made within this framework became essential.
Within the program’s context, there has been a focus on enhancing economic enablers, improving governmental performance, and elevating living standards. This means that the program is not just a work plan, but a comprehensive project that includes all aspects of life in the Kingdom. Through collaboration between the public and private sectors, many significant achievements reflecting the efforts of the National Transformation have been realized, such as improving the business environment, increasing women’s participation in the labor market, and enhancing health and social systems.
Challenges and Achievements in Implementing the National Transformation
Despite the significant challenges faced by the National Transformation Program, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy, the program has made substantial progress in many areas. By focusing on improving the business environment, the Kingdom was able to achieve the first place globally in some ease of doing business indicators, which contributed to attracting foreign investments. Among these achievements, the time required to start a business was reduced from 15 days to just one hour, reflecting the efforts made to streamline governmental procedures.
Moreover, the program has contributed to increasing women’s participation in the labor market, with the percentage rising from 22% in 2015 to 26% in 2020. This increase reflects the government’s commitment to empowering women and enhancing their role in economic development. Additionally, progress has been made in health sectors through the improvement of health service quality and increased access to healthcare, contributing to better public health indicators and alleviating pressures on the health system.
However, there are still ongoing challenges that require further efforts, such as improving the level of education and vocational training to better prepare youth for the labor market, and developing infrastructure in a way that meets sustainable growth requirements. Thus, the program seeks to achieve a balance between accomplishments and challenges, with a focus on innovation and improving performance across all fields.
Focus
On Tangible Achievements
The Kingdom has witnessed a number of tangible achievements as a result of the efforts of the National Transformation Program, where many vital indicators have improved. The Kingdom has made significant progress in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, with five Saudi sites listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Tourist visas have also been launched, contributing to opening the country to global tourism and enhancing the tourism sector. This reflects a trend towards diversifying the economy and reducing reliance on oil, which is one of the main goals of the Vision.
In the field of justice, the judicial system has been enhanced by converting many procedures into electronic formats, which has contributed to speeding up litigation processes and improving the level of legal services. This digital transformation in the judicial system reflects the direction towards enhancing public services and facilitating procedures for citizens.
Moreover, significant progress has been made in the health sector, where several specialized health centers have been established and disease prevention programs have been strengthened. These programs contribute to improving public health and reducing rates of chronic diseases, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving the quality of life for citizens.
Future Challenges and Vision
While the National Transformation Program has achieved many accomplishments, there are future challenges that require more effort and strategic planning. Among these challenges is improving the quality of education and educational outcomes to ensure they meet the changing needs of the job market. Additionally, enhancing innovation and technology in various sectors is an urgent necessity to keep pace with global developments.
Furthermore, there should be a focus on the sustainability of developmental projects and ensuring the continuity of the success that has been achieved. This requires developing effective strategies to address environmental, economic, and social challenges that may affect the course of the National Transformation. This also necessitates strengthening the partnership between the public and private sectors to ensure that objectives are achieved more efficiently and effectively.
In conclusion, the National Transformation Program represents a significant step towards achieving Saudi Vision 2030, and it requires the commitment of everyone, including the government, private institutions, and civil society, to achieve the desired goals. By continuing to focus on achievements and addressing challenges with a spirit of cooperation and innovation, the Kingdom can continue on its path towards a better future.
Technical Infrastructure and Its Role in National Transformation
Technical infrastructure is considered one of the most important pillars of the National Transformation Program, playing a pivotal role in improving the level of government services and enhancing efficiency. In recent years, significant work has been done to develop communication networks and information technologies, facilitating access to government services online. This represents a major transformation in the way services are delivered to citizens, reflecting the government’s commitment to achieving Saudi Vision 2030.
One of the prominent projects in this context is the “Digital Transformation” project, which aims to convert all government services into electronic formats. Through this project, many electronic platforms have been developed to facilitate access to services, leading to reduced waiting times and improved user experience. Additionally, the technical infrastructure has contributed to enhancing wired and wireless communications, enabling citizens to access information and services at any time and from anywhere.
Furthermore, advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence and big data have improved the level of government services. By utilizing these technologies, the government can analyze available data more accurately, helping in making more effective decisions regarding public policies and development programs. This reflects how technology impacts improving government performance and achieving the strategic objectives of the program.
The Role of Citizens in National Transformation
The citizen plays a pivotal role in the success of the National Transformation Program, as involving the community in these efforts is essential to achieving the desired goals. By raising awareness and knowledge about Saudi Vision 2030 and government directions, citizens can become an active part of this process. This requires efforts from the government to provide the necessary information and resources to citizens, enhancing their ability to participate and contribute to development.
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On that note, the National Transformation initiatives are an opportunity for citizens to express their opinions and feedback, which helps improve the quality of the services and programs offered. By providing interactive platforms and social media channels, the government can listen to the demands of citizens and better meet their needs. This type of participation enhances the sense of belonging and citizenship, and encourages cooperation between the government and the community to achieve common goals.
In the end, national transformation is a collective effort that requires the collaboration of all members of society. By working together, the Kingdom can achieve the necessary success in realizing Saudi Vision 2030 and improving the quality of life for citizens. Thus, every step in this direction becomes a step toward a bright and sustainable future for all.
The episode has been summarized using artificial intelligence ezycontent
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