JULY-AUGUST 2018 | ASIA ONE | 53called the National Transformation Programme, Prince
Mohammad has launched a diversification plan with
new taxes and cuts in subsidies, and has created a $2
trillion Saudi sovereign wealth fund. He has expressed
his liberal views freely, and wishes to transform the
ultra-conservative image of Saudi Arabia “returning to
what we were before - a country of moderate Islam that
is open to all religions and to the world”. Essentially,
MbS is making intense efforts to reverse Saudi Arabia’s
failure so far to modernize. Of course, if he succeeds
in his modernization and transformational efforts,
unlimited opportunities would be available for Saudi
citizens and Saudi Arabia as a country, and within a
decade, the country could emerge as a prosperous and
forward-looking nation. Prince Mohammad has already
brought immense respect to the throne with his powerful
administration and reforms programme.SETTING HOME AT ORDER
Not missing out on opportunities back home, Prince
Mohammad has been successfully lobbying for
regulations restricting the powers of the religious
police, he established an entertainment authority that
has hosted comedy shows, pro-wrestling events, etc.
He also announced a project to build one of the world’s
largest cultural, sports and entertainment cities in Al
Qidiya, southwest of Riyadh, which would also include a
safari and a Six Flags theme park.
Recently, in 2018, he has allowed Saudi women to
open their own businesses, without a male’s permission.
As recent as in April 2018, due to his liberal thoughts,
public cinema opened again in Saudi Arabia after a ban
of 35 years, and he has made plans already to have
more than 2,000 screens running by 2030. To boost the
economy through a series of strategic economic reforms