Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — In what could mark an unprecedented move, Saudi Arabia has allowed the publication of searing criticism of economic policy.

The Saudi leadership has overseen the publication of a report that warned of an economic crisis in the Gulf Cooperation Council kingdom.

Abdul Aziz Al Dekhayel dismissed official claims that Saudi Arabia was progressing in such areas as fiscal responsibility, diversification and employment.

“Officials in the kingdom believe we are witnessing a golden economic era which many people envy,” Al Dekhayel said. “When I view this golden era from the perspective of sustainability, the picture tends to turn gray and gloomy.”

In an analysis published by the Saudi daily Al Sharq in early April, Al Dekhayel pointed to “very weak production,” corruption, high spending and overpopulation. The economist warned that Riyad’s only source of revenues was crude oil.

“When I look around, all I see is extravagance, squandering, laziness, little production and ever greater consumption,” the U.S.-educated Al Dekhayel said. “We do not have plans for the future. It looks as if the Saudi government and people have deleted the word ‘future’ from their dictionaries.”

Diplomatic sources said the unusually harsh criticism marked a policy of
openness ordered by King Abdullah. They said Abdullah, who on April 21 fired
Health Minister Abdullah Al Rabeea amid a breakout of a dangerous virus, has
sought to signal his support for modernization that appealed to the
kingdom’s growing middle class.

Al Dekhayel, who did not cite the king or his family, urged sweeping
reforms in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the area of education and battling
poverty. He said the kingdom must stress science and encourage creativity.

“It is essential that we should start making sweeping reforms at all
levels of our economy without any delay,” Al Dekhayel said. “This requires
strong political will that envisages future risks and develops a strategy to
avoid them.”

  Abdul Aziz Al Dekhayel, Abdullah Al Rabeea, dependency on crude oil, King Abdullah, laziness, New Saudi openness: Report indicts corruption