June 21, 2021

Source: The Transformation Continues Annual Report, National Transformation Program

The National Transformation Program has recently published the Annual Report entitled “The Transformation Continuous” detailing the key achievements of the Kingdom by 2020. The report put emphasis on the programs and initiatives that the government launched, alongside with private and non-profit sector. Despite the pandemic, Saudi Arabia’s accomplishments last year, shows the government’s commitment towards the Vision 2030, through improving economic enablers, achieving governmental operational excellence, and enhancing living standards.

Here are some notable NTP achievements in Business, Investments, Digital, Healthcare and Tourism by the Ministries and its contributing entities.

Enhanced the Kingdom’s Ranking in Global Indicators and Reports

63: The Kingdom advanced 29 ranks in the Doing Business Report in 2020.

36: The Kingdom progressed for the second year in a row among 140 countries in Global Competitiveness Rank.

80: Women, Business, and the Law Score. The Kingdom advanced in the reforms of laws and regulations associated with woman empowerment for the second consecutive year.

24:World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY). Only country to progress in the Middle East. Ranked 8th among G20 countries.

Empowering the private sector and attracting foreign Investments lead by Ministry of Commerce and Ministry of Investment

·       Launched Saudi Invest, which contributed to achieving the largest increase in the number of foreign investments in the Kingdom in the last ten years.

·       Issued 1,278 foreign investment licenses in 2020. The kingdom attracted foreign investment to help develop the national economy and increase employment rates

·       Established the National Competitiveness Center “Tayseer”, which aims to  improve and develop the competitiveness environment and enhance the Kingdom’s ranking in the relevant global indicators and reports.

·       Established the Saudi Business Center, which seeks to facilitate the procedures of all phases of doing business by providing more than 200 services via physical and electronic comprehensive service facilities.

·       Launched the Defective Products Recall Center (Istida) to recall defective products To create a fair business environment.

·       Provided protection to the private sector through Bankruptcy Law and its by-laws as well as the formation of the Bankruptcy Commission

Digital Transformation lead by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology

1: The Kingdom was named the “Top Digital Riser” among G20 nations

100% Providing households with basic telecommunication services.

3.5 million: Connected over 3.5 million homes with Fiber-Optic Network

 ·       Supported Open-Source Solutions through Masdar Platform, which is an integrated platform for Saudi government entities, public and private companies, universities, and research institutions focused on open-source software

·       Launched Alibaba Cloud Center for Cloud Computing in Riyadh in partnership with STC and supported by EWTP Arabia Capital to provide an integrated range of cloud products and services to companies and create the largest high performance general cloud service to MENA

·       Launched Digital Knowledge Platform “ThinkTech”. A platform that includes awareness projects for exploring new technological developments with the aim of raising digital awareness on emerging solutions and creating a motivating digital environment.

·       Launched “Digital Hemam Bootcamps” by Saudi Digital Academy. It aims to professionalize and qualify recent graduates and job seekers through multiple, intensive, qualitative, and specialized training camps

·       Promoted Digital Entrepreneurship. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology worked with partners in the government and private sectors on promoting the digital entrepreneurship and enabling local talents for developing new digital business models in all sectors

·       Launched “Digital Shura Council” System a smart system that provides integrated digital solutions which facilitate and increase the effectiveness of government meetings of the kingdom’s Shura Council.

Transform Healthcare lead by the Ministry of Health

·       Activated E-Health and Contributed to the response to the COVID-19 pandemic through launching electronic applications and developing additional services, to raise the efficiency and quality of services and increase the satisfaction of the beneficiaries.

·       Studied the genetic Sequence of the Covid-19 Virus, through the Public Health Authority “Weqaya”

·       100,000 daily calls to 937. Responding to 24.6 million calls and 7.6 million medical consultations by the end of 2020

·       Launched Drug Track and Trace System, which ensure the availability of the essential drugs in the local market and ensure their safety, the Drug Track and Trace System (RSD).

·       Established Saudi Halal Center, Which issues Halal certificates and logos to companies and franchisees worldwide.

Develop the Tourism and National Heritage Sectors lead by the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture

·       Launched the Tourist Visa. Issued more than 440,000 Visas by March 2020

·       Developed “Souk Okaz”. The development aims to transform Souq Okaz, one of the biggest and the most famous markets in pre-Islamic History, into the first integrated tourism and cultural destination in Taif.

·       Established the Professional Association for Saudi Craftspeople via the National Program for the Development of Handicrafts and Industries “Baree”

These are just some of the  great achievements of the National Transformation Program from selected industry. To pursue achieving Vision 2030, as the report states, the Transformation Continues…