Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s powerful deputy crown prince, has taken his plan to transform the oil-dependent kingdom to the US as he attempts to sell his bold vision and lure investment to the Gulf state. Prince Mohammed, whose first solo official trip to the US is a sign of his burgeoning influence, is expected to meet Silicon Valley executives, Wall Street bankers and arms industry bosses in an attempt to bolster his aim of diversifying the Saudi economy and reducing its dependence on crude, Saudi advisers and bankers said. The Saudi advisers said Prince Mohammed’s visit is a platform for him to develop closer relationships with US officials and business leaders, many of whom are deeply sceptical about the young royal’s ability to deliver on his reform pledges.
The 30-year-old, who has spearheaded the kingdom’s “National Transformation Plan”, which was published this month, is also expected to discuss political issues, including the conflicts in Syria and Yemen, as well as the influence of Saudi Arabia’s regional rival, Iran. As the US and Russia pursue back-channel negotiations over Syria, Saudi Arabia, which is backing moderate Islamist Syrian rebels, wants greater commitment from the US for on-the-ground support in the battle against the regime of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s president.