Now that the war in Iraq has ended, it is evident that the entire Arab world is incapable of offering any effective or meaningful contribution to influence world affairs. There may be many reasons for this but the most important is Arab dependence on foreign assistance, especially American. Isn’t it time Arab countries began moving in the right direction and freed themselves from dependence on foreigners in almost every aspect of their lives?

Attaining economic freedom is the first step toward self-reliance. I find it extremely odd that a country such as Saudi Arabia, which is blessed with huge oil wealth, is not considered an industrial nation. Private Saudi money is to blame for being hesitant and not leading the way to change. Hundreds of graduates from science and technical colleges are employed by the government sector in positions that are totally unrelated to their specialties.

The beginning may prove difficult and problematic, especially when embarking on a major industrialization drive. We will undoubtedly meet losses and failures and our products may need a lot of improvement and polishing but this is the first step in the right direction. It is important we begin right now if we are to bridge the ever-widening gap with the industrial powers.

We need to establish more research centers and change the way we view college education. Universities are not meant to serve as breeding grounds for people seeking office jobs. The function of universities is to serve as institutions that lead the way for society and actively contribute to its economic and social process. Industrialization should not mean focusing on such products as steel, chemicals and food — all admittedly of strategic importance — but should be widened to include advanced technology.

What is it that prevents us from launching satellites? What keeps our companies from competing in the manufacture of mobile phones? What prevents our universities from developing computer programs? We could learn from Japan, a country twice bombed by nuclear weapons and devastated during World War II. Then it became a major industrial power.

With strong will and desire, success is possible.

Arab News From the Local Press 20 April 2003