We need to invest in high revenue-generating industries and leverage them as a launchpad for Saudi citizens, build a strong economic base, and attract foreign tourism, which will have significant returns and create new revenue streams. This was the starting point that instilled the sense of responsibility in the [Al Aghar] Group towards the homeland and the aspirations of its leadership.
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A Way of Life Al Aghar Group turned into a way of life for its founding members, who developed its methodology, in which we took immense pride. The first study that the group conducted between 1997 and 1998 served as the first step towards building this methodology. In preparation, we invited a group of international experts for a meeting in the Kingdom to help us develop a concept through which we would run our workshops, and contribute to adopting the appropriate data analysis methodology, as well as provide us with training to analyze and achieve the goals of our studies. [30] We came together as a group of citizens and friends who love and believe in their homeland. We also chose a group of 25-30 individuals from various scientific and professional backgrounds and came to a consensus that the first study should address the three themes of Diversification, Human Resources, and Government Regulations. Our private meetings, which were held over the weekend, consisted of analysis workshops for all members and were facilitated by experts who held roundtable meetings to achieve consensus. This approach was very important and allowed the experts to introduce us to special techniques to achieve the goals of our studies and ensure they were realistic, achievable, and beneficial. In 1999, another study addressing the same three themes was attached to the above study and submitted to the King for approval. We were confident that much of what the study broached was of great benefit and sure enough, it was used to inform the structure of multiple institutions and departments thereafter. There was a need to find applications to the solutions presented in the study to keep abreast with developments and help facilitate the creation of a productive and innovative future.
In another article I wrote for Okaz on 21 st May 2000 entitled Abdullah, Sultan are Two Visions of the Future , I said:
The overarching visions and concepts that can be gleaned from the two leaders’ decrees and resolutions to set up new authorities and councils provide hope for our situation and point out the necessity of living in harmony with our interdependent world. We must rise up to this task and play the role that our country has been destined to assume for over 1,400 years, from when Allah the Almighty chose it to bear His message to mankind and make it a shining beacon of leadership that serves as the central node of the Muslim nation and a center of balance for tribes and peoples of the world. Let us diversify our sources of revenue for future generations by fostering an environment that attracts foreign and local investment. This can be achieved either by creating value-added products from our natural resources, creating new job opportunities or taking advantage of our nation’s incredible potential. Our country possesses all it needs to develop a thriving tourism industry, such as historical and religious sites, as well as natural beauty and amazing wildlife. Saudi Arabia is also strategically positioned to link East with West and with Africa, a continent that holds tremendous potential. The Kingdom’s strategic location draws t he
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