The big shift Saudi Arabia has witnessed during the five years since the launch of Vision 2030 has earned the appreciation of all, for I know what it means to bring your brilliant ideas to the table challenging the whole world and to be fulfilled literally in a timely manner. This is what Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman exactly did 5 years ago after releasing our great Saudi Vision 2030. And today the world has seen the Vision taking shape in a timely manner. Crown Prince Muhammad, the architect of this Vision, defeated the politics of hatred that were molded through racism and casteism. This was one of the most challenging issues that he promised to cut and uproot. Today we are seeing it really happening, and we are living in a more embracive time. The anti corruption campaign led by the Crown Prince is another achievement that has resulted from Vision 2030, revealing numerous information, including the total that has been recovered through the anti-corruption campaign. The record shows it is SR247 billion in the past three years, can you just imagine! In respect of housing, Saudis getting support for housing or loans is now immediate, a stark contrast to the nearly 15 years it took to realize your housing dream before the Vision 2030 was launched. We have seen incredible changes, the streamlined processes by government bodies have put us among the ranks of developed countries as home ownership in Kingdom has increased to 60% compared to 47% five years ago. Another story that is amazing news that just synchronized with the empowerment saga of the five years of Vision 2030, is King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) announcement to admit for the first time female students for the bachelor's degree starting from June 13-18, 2021. This actually could well be the turning point in the history of this university, like it says, we have to live with the consequences of Vision 2030 to give chances "equally" to our Saudi males and female students. This sure looks like another shot-in-the-arm for woman empowerment. Personally, I am so glad that KFUPM is going to bring about this change. I admit this exceptional educational organization delivers different mindsets and geniuses to the world and this will only enhance the talent pool the Saudi labor force can dip into. If one will ask what's the worst experience Saudi Arabia has experienced over the course of the 5 years, I would answer of course the COVID pandemic and its consequences. In this also Saudi Arabia was one of the first countries to best manage this global disaster successfully till date, because of the Kingdom's wise leadership and economic steadiness. Still we are living under the shadow of the pandemic, but Saudi Arabia has not stopped its support to its sons and daughters in the private sector, helped them to find jobs in the market, and the Ministry of Human Recourse and Social Development has contributed to support employment of more than 25,000 young men and women during the month of March, through one of its employment programs "Hadaf". After five years following the launch of Vision 2030, it is time to reflect on the changes and transformation in our lives. And it is sure to make us appreciate and value the new Saudi Arabia we have today.
