DAMMAM: Vision 2030 will ensure that women become an integral part of the country’s economy, resulting in long term sustainable development, according to several Saudi women.

Details of the plan were announced last week by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, second deputy premier and defense minister, who said it was aimed at reducing the country’s dependence on oil. Participation of women in the workforce would increase from 22 to 30 percent, he said.

Investment analyst Reem Asaad said that the country’s leadership understands that there is a great need to include women as workers in the economy, and that that they can contribute to the nation’s development.

Jawaher Al-Aql said Vision 2030 would transform the Saudi economy with the contribution of small and medium businesses to the country’s gross domestic product rising from 20 to 35 percent.

Al-Aql said the country’s ministries must coordinate their plans better to remove obstacles facing women in the workplace, as employees and employers. This includes suitable working conditions, hours and nurseries for children.

Businesswoman Ibtisam Al-Abdulqadir said that Saudi women face major difficulties to run businesses in the country because of some bureaucratic regulations. This forces many to travel abroad for this purpose.

Al-Abdulqadir said there was a lack of support in terms of education and training. In addition, many problems facing women now would be solved by allowing them to drive cars. This comes in response to Prince Mohammed stating that it would be up to Saudi society to decide whether women should drive, not the government, and that “change cannot be forced.”