Cityscape Global in Saudi Arabia to Introduce Over 100,000 Housing Units

Photo from the second edition of the Cityscape Global Exhibition in Riyadh (SPA)
Photo from the second edition of the Cityscape Global Exhibition in Riyadh (SPA)
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Cityscape Global in Saudi Arabia to Introduce Over 100,000 Housing Units

Photo from the second edition of the Cityscape Global Exhibition in Riyadh (SPA)
Photo from the second edition of the Cityscape Global Exhibition in Riyadh (SPA)

The Cityscape Global exhibition, set to open on Monday in Riyadh, is expected to introduce more than 100,000 housing units, financing options with interest rates starting at 2.59%, and discounts of up to SAR 100,000 (around $26,600) on various projects. The event will also feature one of the largest real estate auctions in the Middle East, with an estimated value exceeding SAR 1 billion ($266.6 million).
This announcement was made by Abdullah Al-Hammad, CEO of the General Real Estate Authority, during the Cityscape Global introductory meeting held on Thursday in the Saudi capital.
Al-Hammad emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of this major real estate event reflects the economic momentum the Kingdom is experiencing under Vision 2030.
He explained that the exhibition will play a key role in showcasing investment opportunities by providing comprehensive insights into real estate market trends, noting that the Kingdom is witnessing unprecedented growth in real estate and economic projects.
The exhibition will primarily focus on the Kingdom’s mega-projects, with participation from over 400 exhibitors, 100 institutional investors, and more than 500 leaders from the global real estate sector.
He added that this major gathering will facilitate access to diverse investment opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s real estate market, thus boosting foreign investment, diversifying the national economy, and supporting sustainable development.
Al-Hammad highlighted that the previous Cityscape exhibition attracted over 160,000 visitors and secured investment projects and agreements valued at over SAR 110 billion ($29 billion), including $19 billion in foreign investments. This year, the second edition is expected to see a 50% increase in transactions, projects, and agreements.
Abdulrahman Altawil, the Deputy Minister for Residential Supply Stimulus and Real Estate Development, told Asharq Al-Awsat that this major real estate event will host leading global names from various areas of the real estate industry, including development, design, and operations.
“A large number of international real estate developers are expected to participate in the event, with over 10 developers already launching projects in Saudi Arabia. The aim is to attract even more developers in partnership with local counterparts”, Altawil said.
Altawil noted that Saudi Arabia’s real estate and investment environment is highly attractive, providing promising and accessible opportunities for investors. He mentioned that the ministry is working to create a diversified landscape focused on attracting global companies to invest in the Kingdom.
The exhibition will feature a selection of experts and CEOs and will include a Real Estate Investors Forum, hosting 150 investors from 22 countries. This event aims to strengthen collaboration on investment projects, establishing itself as a key center for opportunities and investment.

 

 



Saudi PIF Backs Multibillion-Dollar Projects to Boost Sustainability

A solar power project in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A solar power project in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
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Saudi PIF Backs Multibillion-Dollar Projects to Boost Sustainability

A solar power project in Saudi Arabia (SPA)
A solar power project in Saudi Arabia (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has fully allocated the proceeds of its green bond issuance, directing $9 billion to eligible projects, in a move that highlights the sovereign wealth fund’s growing role in shaping a more sustainable future and delivering lasting positive impact worldwide.

According to a recent report issued by the Public Investment Fund, reviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, the expected impact of the fund’s eligible green projects includes generating 427 megawatts of renewable energy, avoiding emissions equivalent to 5.1 million tons of carbon dioxide, and treating 4 million cubic meters of wastewater.

The Public Investment Fund aims to establish itself as an active participant in global debt markets, while also fostering the development of a dynamic domestic market. This would enable the fund to access short- or long-term liquidity through a diverse range of financing instruments.

Financing strategy

The fund’s capital markets program aims to further strengthen its financing strategy and execution capabilities, both at the level of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund and across its portfolio companies, while enabling deeper engagement with global and local debt markets.

The program will also support expanding the fund’s capacity to raise debt and deploy it as a source of investment financing, in line with its overall funding strategy. This approach is designed to instill greater discipline in cash flow management and enhance returns on equity for the fund and its portfolio companies.

The green bond issuance will provide the fund with access to a broader pool of investors who prioritize environmental, social, and governance considerations in their investment decisions. It will also allow investors to diversify their portfolios through green assets, a step expected to help accelerate the pace of green investment globally.

Climate change

The fund has taken concrete steps to advance governance and policy, focusing on sustainability, and is a founding member of the One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds initiative. This international platform aims to accelerate the integration of climate change considerations into asset management decisions and investment opportunities.

As an investment vehicle, the Public Investment Fund operates through acquiring stakes in companies aligned with its mandate, including ACWA Power and Lucid.

It has also established the Saudi Investment Recycling Company, a leader in waste management and recycling, manages the National Energy Services Company, Tarshid, and supports the creation of a voluntary carbon market in the Middle East and North Africa.

These efforts aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as one of the world’s most energy-efficient countries.

The green bond issuance will finance tangible projects on the ground, helping to accelerate the green transition and advance the Kingdom’s core targets of achieving net zero emissions by 2060 and generating 50 percent of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources by 2030.

This forms a key pillar of the renewable energy program implemented by the fund, which involves developing 70 percent of renewable power generation capacity.


Saudi E-Commerce Hits Record Monthly Sales over SAR30.7 Billion in October

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Saudi E-Commerce Hits Record Monthly Sales over SAR30.7 Billion in October

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

E-commerce sales in Saudi Arabia via "mada" cards soared to an all-time monthly high in October 2025, surpassing SAR30.7 billion.

The surge in sales represents a 68% year-on-year increase, totaling about SAR12.4 billion more than the SAR18.3 billion recorded in October 2024, according to the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) statistical bulletin on Wednesday.

E-commerce sales for the third quarter (Q3) of 2025 hit SAR88.3 billion, up 15.2% from the previous quarter, representing an increase of about SAR11.6 billion over the SAR76.6 billion recorded in Q2.

On a monthly basis, e-commerce sales in October rose 6%, gaining approximately SAR1.6 billion over September’s total of SAR29.1 billion.

From January to October, "mada" data showed e-commerce sales grew 47.3%, rising by around SAR9.9 billion over the SAR20.9 billion recorded in January.

These figures cover transactions made via "mada" cards on e-commerce websites, apps, and digital wallets, and do not include credit-card payments.


Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport Launches First Direct Flight to Moscow

The expansion supports Jeddah Airports Company’s goal of broadening travel options and increasing air traffic revenue, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location. (SPA)
The expansion supports Jeddah Airports Company’s goal of broadening travel options and increasing air traffic revenue, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location. (SPA)
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Jeddah's King Abdulaziz Airport Launches First Direct Flight to Moscow

The expansion supports Jeddah Airports Company’s goal of broadening travel options and increasing air traffic revenue, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location. (SPA)
The expansion supports Jeddah Airports Company’s goal of broadening travel options and increasing air traffic revenue, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location. (SPA)

Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) celebrated the launch of its first direct flynas flight to Moscow, operating three weekly flights between Jeddah and Vnukovo International Airport.

This initiative, in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority and the Air Connectivity Program, boosts air links between Saudi Arabia and Russia.

It marks KAIA's third direct Russian destination, following Makhachkala and Mineralnye Vody, which were inaugurated earlier this month by Azimuth Airlines.

The expansion supports Jeddah Airports Company’s goal of broadening travel options and increasing air traffic revenue, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location.