Economic diversification in Saudi Arabia: The need for improving competitiveness for sustainable development

Abstract

Since the discovery of oil in 1938 and the creation of the petroleum industry, oil has continued to make a profound impression on the economy of Saudi Arabia. Structural changes in the economy were, however, underway even before the oil discovery since 1930 when the founder of the modern state of Saudi Arabia, King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, set about to transform the traditional economy of Saudi Arabia into a modern state (Booz 2008; Abdelrahman 2001). The economic philosophies of successive rulers have not changed since the reign of King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, although the economic role of the government has been increasing enormously.