Nirmal Narayanan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia seeks to increase female representation across various sectors as the country considers gender equality as a cornerstone for sustainable development, said the minister of economy and planning.

Speaking at the Human Capability Initiative in Riyadh on Thursday, Faisal Alibrahim said the Kingdom has been witnessing a significant rise in female participation in the private sector.

“Gender equality is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainable development. Increasing female representation is a critical macro goal supported by a multitude of initiatives,” said Alibrahim.

He added: “Women now hold 20 percent of seats in the Saudi Shoura Council and key positions in ministries and government bodies. Twenty-nine percent of middle and senior private sector management positions are held by women, and 45 percent of SMEs in the Kingdom are female-led.”

The minister added that human capital investment is crucial for Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom, with various initiatives, is trying to ensure a better future for its citizens.

“We regard human capital investment as a critical part of the Kingdom’s transformation. The Ministry of Economy and Planning considers human capital at the heart of policymaking,” said Alibrahim.

According to Alibrahim, Saudi Arabia is a young country, and with a majority of the population at the working age, the Kingdom has all the potential to boost its economy.

“Saudi (Arabia) is a young country. (With) the median age of just 29, 73 percent of the people are working age, and only 3 percent are above the age of 64. This means we have a unique window and demographic opportunity, offering a potential economic boost. During this period, countries can experience higher productivity, increased savings, and investment potentials,” added the minister.

Talking about human capability initiatives in the Kingdom, he said the Kingdom’s Healthcare Transformation Program will help 88 percent of the population gain access to inclusive healthcare services by 2030.

The minister further noted that the national housing program has a goal to increase homeownership in the Kingdom to 70 percent.

“Saudi Arabia’s Healthcare Transformation Program uses a host of innovation and digital solutions to provide a more comprehensive, personalized, and integrated healthcare system. 88 percent of the population will have access to inclusive health care services by 2030, and 100 percent will be covered by a unified digital medical record system,” said Alibrahim.

The minister also highlighted the role of the private sector in elevating human capability. According to the minister, governments should encourage reforms that will increase private investments in human capital.

“We must provide the right framework for private and social investments in human capital; tax investments, and public-private partnerships, there are a multitude of ways that the government can encourage reforms and innovation,” added Alibrahim.

He also added that Saudi Arabia’s progress will not end after achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2030.

“I promise you this, progress does not stop in 2030. We are developing a culture of continuous learning and improvement. When the Kingdom reaches one goal, it is always just a step on the ladder to the next. To achieve the best outcomes, it is critical to harness the power and dynamism of the private sector,” said the official.

He added: “Saudi Arabia is open to ideas, open to investments, and open for international collaborations.”