In a strategic move aimed at reshaping the small business landscape in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in partnership with the Eastern Province Development Authority, launched the first national initiative dedicated to developing solutions to empower street vendors. This unique initiative, part of the "Urban Development Hackathon" activities, reflects the Kingdom's serious commitment to regulating this vital sector and transforming it from an informal activity into a sustainable and organized economic contributor.

Empowering street vendors within the framework of Vision 2030

This initiative gains its paramount importance from its alignment with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the Quality of Life Program and economic development programs. Relevant authorities are striving to move beyond traditional, temporary solutions and towards developing integrated business models that guarantee street vendors a safe, motivating, and legal working environment. Integrating this sector into the formal economic system is a necessary step to boost the gross domestic product and reduce visual pollution in cities, while preserving the social and human dimension of this group.

Hackathon details and innovative solutions

The hackathon saw active participation from the Ministry's Street Vendor Support, Development, and Empowerment Team, which provided guidance and adjudication. Participants were directed to focus on holistic solutions that extend beyond the external appearance of retail outlets to encompass urban planning, smart technology, and modern marketing strategies. This integration aims to streamline sales processes, ensure product safety, and enhance operational efficiency in line with the urban landscape of Saudi cities.

Results of the national track and commitments to implementation

The hackathon concluded with the awarding of prizes to three outstanding teams that successfully presented viable, practical solutions aimed at directly improving the tools used by street vendors and creating more efficient and sustainable operating environments. In this context, Princess Najoud bint Hathloul, General Supervisor of the Street Vendor Support, Development, and Empowerment Team, affirmed the Ministry's commitment to adopting the winning ideas and working diligently to transform them into real-world models. Her Highness noted that investing in empowering street vendors is a direct investment in innovation and the creation of sustainable job opportunities that support the local economy.

Impact of the initiative on urban development

This step aims to enhance integration between the Ministry and relevant entities, such as regional development authorities, to build more organized and vibrant cities. These innovative solutions are expected to improve the urban landscape and expand economic participation opportunities for beneficiaries, thus achieving a balance between economic growth, the requirements of sustainable development, and the quality of life for residents and visitors of the Kingdom.

In a strategic move aimed at raising health and nutritional awareness within the educational environment, His Excellency the Minister of Education, Mr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Bunyan, witnessed the launch of a new range of healthy food products from the global food company "Milaf." This took place during His Excellency's visit to the company's headquarters, which is one of the Public Investment Fund's companies, as part of activating the strategic partnership between the public and private sectors.

Strengthening national industries based on local resources

During the visit, the Minister of Education was briefed on the production lines and the efforts being made to develop innovative processing industries that rely primarily on national resources, specifically dates and their derivatives, and camel milk. These products add value to the national economy by transforming local raw materials into high-quality food products, thus contributing to strengthening local content and diversifying income sources, which aligns with the Kingdom's economic objectives.

Supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030

This launch comes within a broader context of supporting the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, where the Public Investment Fund plays a pivotal role in empowering promising sectors. Milaf serves as a model for investment in food security and public health, as the agreement between the Ministry and the company aims to provide healthy and sustainable food options for students, reflecting the integration of efforts between educational institutions and major economic entities.

Improving lifestyle and the quality of school meals

This step is of paramount importance given the ongoing efforts to improve the quality of meals offered in school canteens. By introducing healthy products based on natural and beneficial ingredients such as dates and camel milk, the Ministry is contributing to combating unhealthy eating habits and promoting a healthy lifestyle among young people. This approach aligns perfectly with the objectives of the Quality of Life Program, one of the Vision 2030 programs, which focuses on improving the lifestyle of individuals and families and building a society where its members enjoy a balanced way of life.

Sustainable impact on student health

This collaboration is expected to have a tangible positive impact in the long term, as providing healthy alternatives in schools not only plays a role in nutrition, but also extends to raising the level of academic achievement and physical activity of students by ensuring that they obtain the nutrients necessary for their healthy growth, thus establishing a health-conscious generation capable of contributing to building the future of the nation.