Saudis display 'national excellence' in Makkah Cultural Forum

As the Makkah Cultural Forum’s culture week came to a close on Friday, the media has had its eyes on talented Saudis innovating with a passion to modernise their country.

The culture week was set to highlight the achievements of Saudis and hail them as national role models. Participants at the event described their journey to success, including their approach to overcoming obstacles to mount to national, and even global success.

One participant in particular turned heads when he described ways in which members of the Saudi diaspora excel further outside of their home country.

According to Arab News, Former cultural attaché at the Saudi Embassy in Japan, Essam Amanullah Bukhari discussed how Saudi students in Japan have surpassed expectations, especially in the field of science and technology.

Bukhari said the students are making the kindgom proud through their distinctive passion in striving in the robotics industry, aviation and car industries, and also with learning the Japanese language.

Japan is a country Saudi Arabia is seeking to explore its relations with as a part of the 'Saudi Vision 2030'.

Last year, highly influential deputy crown prince Prince Mohammed bin Salman, launched Vision 2030 as a project and reform scheme to modernise the Saudi economy, driving it away from its dependency of petrochemicals.

Vision 2030 also seeks to build a stronger military industry complex in Saudi Arabia, localising military spending.

Earlier this week, Riyadh unveiled a plan to create a new Saudi arms company, called the Saudi Arabian Military Industries, which will employ around 40,000 Saudi nationals and limit the need for expensive arms imports.