THE Ministry of Planning is to be commended for initiating a serious dialogue on the future of the Saudi economy. It organized the "Future Vision for the Saudi Economy" symposium which drew experts from inside the country as well as abroad. The symposium was an important step in the right direction. Discussions centered on a subject of vital significance to the future of the country, realizing that a sound economy is the basis for development and the guarantor of both security and stability. The future of our economy depends on the country’s policies, including the way its available resources are utilized.
It is important that research centers and civil organizations such as universities, chambers of commerce, labor committees and specialized bodies — as well as leading figures in society of both sexes — should have access to the findings of this well-organized symposium. Different opinions should be sought even if they do not agree with what has been said. The goal should be to gather as many points of view as possible and not simply to seek media coverage. The future of economic development is not the monopoly of the Ministry of Planning. It is a joint responsibility that ought to involve every citizen, whether he or she is a religious scholar, a politician or an economist.
While planning our economic future, many questions should be asked. The most important concern the policies that we will implement for the coming 20 years. Shall we continue our dependence on oil as the driving force behind development? Do we really have alternative policies and resources? Can we depend on our conventional economic partners or should we diversify? Is our future economic policy to be governed by existing laws and regulations or will there be new laws forced on us by the new world order? Are we to continue with the trial and error system or will we carefully take well-considered steps while benefiting from the experience of others? These are all questions which need to be asked, discussed and answers agreed upon. It is time that we stop developing theories that fail to respond to the needs of modern times.
Our previous experiments with development plans have failed because they relied on short-term planning and international experts who were full of theories and did more or less as the ministry said. If some think otherwise, let them have a look at the discrepancies and the series of crises we have experienced in many areas — including such basic services as electricity, water, communications, employment, and the rising budget deficit.
Is the Ministry of Planning really planning for the next 20 years? If the answer is yes, has there been any change in its methods and the tools used to prepare the previous development plans?
