RIYADH — Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, is leading a comprehensive development boom in the Kingdom that stems from the ambitious Vision 2030 with the realization of its goals in various fields. Saudi Arabia has witnessed the launch of a number of giant projects, thanks to the unwavering support and meticulous follow-up of the Crown Prince. The most significant of these megaprojects is NEOM that targets the future of human civilization, encompassing vital sectors such as energy and water, mobility, biotechnology, food, technical and digital sciences, advanced manufacturing, media and media production, entertainment, and livelihood that represents the main pillar for the rest of the sectors. The keenness of the Crown Prince on implementing the comprehensive economic reform for the country was evident from the roadmap that he drew for the Kingdom through 12 development programs that included development initiatives, which will be achieved over the coming years, in order to ensure the strength of the national economy and diversify its sources of income. The great efforts of the Crown Prince have resulted in the announcement of the formation of the Islamic Military Alliance in December 2015 to combat terrorism and confront extremism with the support of peace-loving friendly countries and international organizations. The alliance works to coordinate and unify their efforts in the intellectual and media field, plug the funding of terrorism, and contribute effectively to other international efforts aimed at establishing international peace and security. The Crown Prince's vision also covers the Middle East region, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states where its thrust is on the unity of the GCC states as well as on strengthening their institutions and safeguarding the council system in addition to ensuring the prosperity of member states and development of their people. All these were among the priorities of his vision that seeks to transform the region into a new Europe. The Crown Prince affirms that the developmental achievements made by the Gulf states — with the size of their economies extending geographically in the Middle East region — will make them distinct centers of attraction, contributing to increasing the rates of development programs, attracting foreign investments, improving quality of life, and qualifying young people to take up challenging jobs in employment markets, in addition to empowering them in new and promising sectors. During an earlier interview, the Crown Prince shared his ambition to transform the region into a new Europe over the coming years and that the region is promising with huge and remarkable achievements that bring prosperity and progress to its people. While addressing a dialogue session within the "Future Investment Initiative 2018," he had assured that this ambition will be accomplished 100 percent. He also cited Dubai as a model in the Middle East that has witnessed massive developments noticeable to everyone since the 1990s. He looked forward to raising the bar of competition in terms of achievements among the countries of the region, to reach the phase of integration in various areas, for the prosperity and development of their countries, and the wellness and prosperity of their people. The Crown Prince reiterated his determination to achieve the advancement of the GCC states, meet the challenges and work hard to achieve a better future for the coming generations. The first meeting of the Saudi-Emirati Coordination Council, chaired by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and Sheikh Muhammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Jeddah in the month of Ramadan 1439 was among the better proofs for the promotion of the joint Gulf action. Similarly, in the month of Rabi Al-Awwal 1440, the Bahraini capital Manama witnessed the inauguration of the new oil pipeline by King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman. The pipeline was implemented with Saudi-Bahraini cooperation at a pumping rate that currently stands at 220,000 barrels per day, and with a maximum capacity of 350,000 barrels per day, and a length of 110 km linking the Saudi Abqaiq plants with the Bahraini Bapco refinery. The Vision 2030, within the concept of "strategic companies", strengthened the position of Saudi Arabia regionally and globally, and pushed the march of joint cooperation with other GCC states by launching a string of strategic partnerships in various fields by providing, seizing opportunities and dealing with them effectively and proactively. All these are through supporting and coordinating the initiatives implemented by the concerned authorities in a way that ensures their synergy with the countries of partnerships and economic blocs, in order to achieve their interests at the regional and international levels. The Crown Prince has close and distinguished relations with the leaders of the GCC states, and that is reflected in his keenness to exchange high-level visits to coordinate positions and integrate them with everything that would safeguard the unity of the Gulf entity, enhance its security and strengthen it to confront the regional threats and challenges.
