Saudi Vision 2030’s Second Draft
On April 15, the Saudi sovereign fund PIF approved its 2026-2030 strategy, marking a formal shift from “rapid growth and acceleration” to “sustained value creation.” Construction commitments have been cut by tens of billions. NEOM has been separated from the tourism ecosystem. Reports emerged the same day that PIF is on the verge of cutting the $5 billion lossmaking LIV Golf tour.
Most telling was PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan on the outlook for The Line: “Is it necessary for The Line to be completed by 2030? I don’t think so. It’s good to have, but it’s not a must-have.” He added that delayed NEOM projects were not on “the critical path,” a distinction he reserved for Expo 2030 and the World Cup 2034. In one interview, he articulated the difference between fantasy timelines and hard deadlines.
The pivot away from the excesses of Vision 2030’s first draft is now confirmed after a year or more of speculation and half-moves. What hasn’t been articulated is what
