By Anas Alyusuf

Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH/JEDDAH — For a country that many in the West still believe to be strictly closed, Saudi certainly has no lack of surprise opportunities and untapped and unmapped chances, particularly for foreigners.

This becomes apparent to anyone planning to visit the country even before they set foot in the country.

Saudi Arabia is the largest sovereign state in Western Asia, which just happens to be moving ahead with its national development at full-throttle.

A key focus in achieving Vision 2030 is in creating an environment, which unlocks business opportunities, broadens the economic base, and creates jobs for all Saudis.

That will be achieved by leveraging Saudi Arabia's unique location and potential, attracting the best talent, and increasing global investment.

Opening Saudi Arabia further for business will boost productivity and smoothen our journey to become one of the largest economies in the world.

That will include improving the business environment, restructuring the economic cities, creating special zones and deregulating the energy market to make it more competitive.

Also, Saudi Arabia has its own unique culture, landscape and history. The Kingdom is not aiming to copy or compete with other destinations.

But will be focusing in offering warm welcome to the world to come and discover for themselves what makes Saudi Arabia unique.

Saudi Arabia marks its 90th National Day on Sept. 23 when we commemorate the marvelous efforts of King Abdul Aziz and his men to unify the Kingdom, setting the stage for establishing a modern Islamic state.

Since then Saudi leaders have been working hard to drive the Kingdom to greater progress and prosperity.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, who ascended the Saudi throne on Jan. 23, 2015, has been the Kingdom’s driving force as he established strong relations with the United States, Russia, China, Japan, France, India and other countries.

He has worked relentlessly to strengthen the unity and solidarity of Saudi people.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 offers new prospects for global firms, particularly in economic cities and industrial zones, resource management, health and training, energy and tourism sectors and in investment.

The Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, in his efforts to forge new deals, always set the three criteria sought under the Vision 2030 plan: technology transfers, ‘Saudization’, jobs and training as the key elements in entering into new agreements. With this he has placed the focus on Saudi youth.

With the opening up of new sectors for new investments the goal of diversification is being achieved. This shared and soft approach of the Kingdom with the major nations of the world.

It has already seen closer cooperation and mega deals in driving investments in the Kingdom to sustain long-term growth and it has also ensured the creation of a generation that will be ready and capable to do business with the best.

In shaping the future of the youth, the Crown Prince is definitely shaping the Kingdom’s future.

The Crown Prince has stressed that youth are the immense wealth of Saudi Arabia, and he has been investing in this national capital with reforms that have opened up new boundaries.

This was evident on his historical tours, when the Crown Prince focused on building a new tech-driven era whereby Saudi youth will gain new skill sets with knowledge transfer and educational synergies.

He got major global companies on board, especially in the United States, to build not only a shared future but also to be instrumental in building an army of youth ready to face the challenges in this changing world.

The untouched land of Saudi Arabia can be easily described amazing. It’s like a big secret. Everybody thinks Saudi Arabia is all desert. It’s way much deeper than desert and oil. It has some amazing sites and the population of Saudi is leaning toward the younger generation.

Saudi Arabia is full of amazing environment and ecosystem. The Red Sea is about 2,000 kilometers long and with the Kingdom working on creating ecofriendly tourism around that, major projects such as Amaala, Red Sea project and NEOM will offer that unique experience.