Under Saudi Vision 2030, the KSA has been rapidly undergoing some great positive economic changes with the leadership of HRH Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. These ambitious actions have steered Saudi’s future in a new direction, making the world want to watch what happens next.
Here are 10 reasons why this 33-million-strong nation is the place to be this year:
1. The driving ban for women has been lifted and by June 2018, we should be seeing women drivers in full force on the streets of Saudi Arabia. Now all women will be able to toot their horns whilst doing the school run.
2. Commercial cinemas are now open and showing all kinds of movies, from Disney to Bollywood.
3. Saudi Arabia has been voted into the UN Women’s Rights Commission, making it one of 45 countries working to promote women’s rights and empowerment. All our feminist dreams are coming true.
4. Saudi Women’s Day officially takes place on February 1st because International Women’s Day isn’t Saudi enough!
5. Princess Reema bint Bandar is paving the way for girls and women to embrace sports and sporting events after being appointed the Deputy for Planning and Development at the General Sports Authority, President of the Saudi Arabian Mass Participation Federation. Furthermore, public schools have finally introduced PE for girls.
6. A woman is responsible for Saudi’s $439 billion stock exchange. Sarah Al Suhaimi was made chairperson of Saudi’s stock exchange – which is the largest in the Middle East.
7. Saudi Arabia has issued its first humanoid robot, Sophia, a green passport. Saudi is the first country in the world to give a robot a citizenship.
8. Social media addicts don’t need to worry about having a global following, because Saudi Arabia has a population of 33 million under the age of 30, so potentially, you could have that many Instagram followers if you tap into whats trending in Saudi.
9. Saudi National Day saw a celebration like no other; The General Entertainment Authority hosted thousands of Saudis on the streets of Tahlia to witness an exciting firework show, parade, and live DJ.
10. Bill Gates has collborated with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s MiSK Foundation to fund ideas aimed at improving education and eradicating poverty.
