Why did Saudi allow women to drive? It’s scared of a post-oil world
NEW DELHI: A spectre looms over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia—the spectre of change. The biggest, and the scariest, change that stares at the kingdom is the oil-less future.
As the world moves rapidly to electric and autonomous vehicles and renewable energy, oil industry is doomed. Tony Seba, a Silicon Valley futurist and clean energy expert, says that by 2030, 95% of people won’t own private cars which will wipe off the automobile industry. He also predicts that electric vehicles would destroy the global oil industry in the same period.
Saudi Arabia is afraid of future. That’s why it is opening up. Letting women drive cars is part of a comprehensive plan that aims to diversify economy and open up society to meet the future that will put little value on oil which has been the source of the Saudi riches. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan, called Vision 2030, calls for development of non-oil industries, broadbasing investment and social change to boost domestic economy as well as global image.
Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative Muslim countries. Now it has realised it cannot live in its cocoon when its oil-dependent economy is under threat.
Letting women drive is part of several similar changes that have been taking place lately. Saudi Arabia is turning its Red Sea coastline into a global tourism destination as part of a plan to make tourism an alternative source of revenue. The tourist area will be “semi-autonomous” and governed by “independent laws and a regulatory framework developed and managed by a private committee,” which indicates foreigners will be allowed to drink and women could wear bikinis, things without Letting women drive is part of several similar changes that have been taking place lately. Saudi Arabia is turning its Red Sea coastline into a global tourism destination as part of a plan to make tourism an alternative source of revenue. The tourist area will be “semi-autonomous” and governed by “independent laws and a regulatory framework developed and managed by a private committee,” which indicates foreigners will be allowed to drink and women could wear bikinis, things without Letting women drive is part of several similar changes that have been taking place lately. Saudi Arabia is turning its Red Sea coastline into a global tourism destination as part of a plan to make tourism an alternative source of revenue. The tourist area will be “semi-autonomous” and governed by “independent laws and a regulatory framework developed and managed by a private committee,” which indicates foreigners will be allowed to drink and women could wear bikinis, things without which it cannot dream of drawing rich luxury tourists.
Along with modern dresses and alcohol, cinema too is banned in Saudi Arabia. But the ban has begun loosening. In the past few years, the kingdom has allowed private screening of films in specially selected areas. A top Saudi official, Ahmed al-Khatib, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has even spoken of lifting the ban on cinema.
The kingdom sees tourism as an alternative source of revenue.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s plan to prepare Saudi Arabia for the post-oil world hinges on social change. Tourism sector cannot grow in absence of a vibrant entertainment industry. That’s why authorities are relaxing rules on entertainment. Vision 2030 calls for doubling the household spending on recreation to 6 per cent.
Allowing women to drive will save Saudi Arabia the remittances that expat drivers send back to their home countries. It will give them more access to economy. Saudi women, most of whom are well-educated, can do jobs which are now offered to expats. It will also drive spending as women who are free to move can contribute to more consumer expenditure. Additionally, the step will also attract more foreign investors by boosting global image of Saudi, now known as a repressive regime.
Saudi Arabia’s fear of a post-oil world is pushing it out, forcing it to open up. Lifting the ban on female drivers is part of its change-or-perish strategy.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes
