ICC Pursues Justice for Rohingya; Saudi Arabia Advances Vision 2030 With Bold Economic and Tourism Goals
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims for 5% unemployment and boosts tourism with new VAT refund system.
The International Criminal Court has taken significant action by seeking an arrest warrant for Myanmar's military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, over alleged crimes against humanity during the 2017 Rohingya crackdown, highlighting the ongoing quest for justice for the displaced communities.
Shifting our focus to Saudi Arabia, the nation has ambitiously lowered its unemployment target to 5% by 2030 as part of its Vision 2030 plan, after surpassing initial goals by reducing unemployment to just 3.3% in 2023, with noteworthy progress in female economic participation.
Continuing with developments in Saudi Arabia, a tourist VAT refund system is set for launch in 2025, aiming to transform the country into a global tourism hub while significantly boosting tourism's contribution to the GDP by the decade's end.
Turning to the stock market, Saudi Arabia's Tadawul Index saw mixed outcomes, with Tamkeen soaring by 30% and Saudi Cable declining, as corporate announcements like Saudi Awwal Bank's sukuk offering added to a dynamic market landscape.
Sustainability remains a core focus in Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 efforts, as the nation accelerates structural reforms to support non-oil growth, emphasizing defense and tourism sectors to secure a diversified and resilient economic future.
Lastly, advancements in Saudi Arabia’s transport sector are notable for boosting employment and women's participation, reflecting the broader Vision 2030 goals of localization and enhancing local content, thereby contributing to a thriving economy.