The budget for the new fiscal year has set the path for a qualitative partnership between the public and private sectors, covering various elements of national development, in line with earlier resolutions adopted by the Council of Ministers. In a step towards achieving successful partnership, a demographic database is planned. The Cabinet has decided to conduct a census by the General Authority for Statistics in 2020, the year in which the National Transformation Program is expected to peak. The Program, seen as the ‘executive arm' of Saudi Vision 2030, aims at building the necessary competences to achieve the ambitious goals of the Vision. Twenty four governmental agencies are charged with the task of working towards fulfilling these goals. The recent Cabinet resolutions are also supportive of the small and medium enterprises, as seen by the creation of a governmental authority specifically for this purpose. This supportive approach can also be seen in the ports sector as well as in the program for privatizing the investment units of the General Authority for Civil Aviation. Since Custodian of the Two Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has acceded to throne, there has been constant support for various economic activities. From the royal directives for the establishment of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs to the budget announced last week, the care accorded by the King is evident regularly. King Salman often reiterates that the private sector is a partner in the development process. Therefore, the private sector has to shoulder much responsibility along with the rights it enjoys. All resolutions issued, or to be issued, by the Council of Ministers are aimed at creating a conducive environment for a healthy and practical partnership between the public and private sectors. Such a partnership, as part of the economic transformation plan, should help the Kingdom diversify its sources of income, sustainably. The outcome of some government resolutions, such as those relating to the rationalization of subsidy for power and electricity, cannot be gauged at this time. But they will definitely have a strong, positive impact when all phases of the transformation in the governmental sector are accomplished in about four years.
