The violent developments that the world is witnessing, including pandemics, conflicts and successive economic crises, are accelerating due to the speed of information flow. And the inevitable consequences of the capitalist system, which we learned that it carries with it the elements of its destruction. We all point to one truth; Achieving a degree of self-sufficiency from the basic requirements of peoples is no longer a luxury, but rather a necessity for survival.
It is estimated that as of late 2003, one in five countries in the world was at war, not to mention the Global War on Terror… This of course creates systemic insecurity for all those directly or indirectly affected, which cannot be Deal with it appropriately through traditional social protection systems.
These wars also cause disruption of trade, disruption of supply chains, and the insignificance of cash surpluses and unmanufactured raw wealth in satisfying the needs of citizens, as these wealth cannot be used in trade exchanges disrupted by crises, and there is no alternative to exploiting them locally to satisfy needs.
Theoretically, the GCC countries are among the safest countries for food according to the Global Food Security Index, which takes into account the availability, affordability, quality and safety of food supplies. Despite this, the region lacks control over its food sources, and remains highly dependent on imports.
GCC countries import about 85% of their food, rice imports account for almost all consumption, about 93% of cereals, 62% of meat and 56% of vegetables. Of course, during disruptions in supply chains, as a result of epidemics and geopolitical conditions, this dependence on imports leaves countries vulnerable to food crises.
It is not only agricultural production that is responsible for achieving food security, but the food industries, the fertilizer industry, and the engineering industries related to agricultural mechanization and irrigation networks… all of them also contribute to their non-settlement (even if regionally) to the low level of food security and economic security in general.
The failure to exploit wealth and natural resources, and the loss of justice in distributing its revenues to society, weakens the economic situation of the state, and indicates a decline in its strategic, political and economic capabilities. There are countries that have not exploited their wealth despite their dire need.
The 2009 United Nations report indicated that the oil wealth of some Arab countries gives a misleading picture of the economic conditions of these countries, because it conceals the structural weaknesses in many Arab economies, and the resulting economic destabilization of states and citizens.
I have no hope of repeating those scenes that I will never forget. I was keen to poll former industry ministers about their opinion on the industry’s biggest challenges, and their agreement was strange that the state did not like industry! Note that they have worked under different leaderships and in different circumstances. Their interpretation of this comes from the preference of many governments under which they worked for quick gain, knowing that industry is not a quick profitable activity, but rather an activity that achieves sustainable development, ensures employment and societal stability, and enhances opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency and replace exports and an export orientation.
Economic security and social security cannot be achieved without success in achieving sustainable economic development through: Settling and deepening agricultural and industrial production, improving living standards and improving people’s quality of life, providing job opportunities and ensuring equal access to jobs and incomes, and creating effective systems and networks for economic security and solidarity. Social work, and developing the skills of the workforce through continuous training and qualification so that this force can keep pace with any development in the state’s economy.
Sunrise
