King Abdullah Economic City Awards Over $300 Mln Contracts

Part of King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah. (File photo / AFP)
Part of King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah. (File photo / AFP)
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King Abdullah Economic City Awards Over $300 Mln Contracts

Part of King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah. (File photo / AFP)
Part of King Abdullah Economic City in Jeddah. (File photo / AFP)

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) has awarded new contracts worth over SAR1.2 billion (USD320 million) for the construction and development of several sectors in the city during the year 2018.

KAEC acting Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Bin Ibrahim Linjawy said that 20 percent of the value of the contracts was for the development of the industrial valley, residential areas and facilities. About 80 percent of the value of the contract was for the development of a range of projects, services, and products in a number of areas, notably the tourism sector, entertainment, and sports. He said the development plans for the city are continuing so as to develop strategic sectors, like the logistics and industrial sectors.

Linjawy noted that the industrial valley has attracted more than 110 national and international companies so far.

The King Abdullah Port can handle 3.4 million containers annually. Investments are continuing as more than 10,000 housing units and plots of land distributed among six residential districts are being developed.

KAEC is giving priority to the empowerment of Saudi youth by launching quality initiatives and projects in cooperation with a number of partners. Foremost among these is the Prince Khaled Faisal Project which aims to train some 10,000 male and female pupils by the end of 2020. Till now 3,800 students have been trained.



Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
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Saudi Entertainment Sector Continues to Attract More Visitors

An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA
An event during Riyadh Season 2024. SPA

The entertainment sector in Saudi Arabia continues to attract more visitors to achieve the country's target of 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

The General Entertainment Authority announced last Friday that Riyadh Season 2024 has already welcomed over 12 million visitors since its launch on October 13 with a daily average of around 174,000 visitors.

The number of visitors to Riyadh Season 2024 has already exceeded half the total attendance of last year's season, which was 20 million visitors, with a daily average of about 150,000 visitors.

Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority Turki Alalshikh announced during a press conference for Riyadh Season 2024 that this year's edition will include 14 entertainment areas, 11 international tournaments, and 100 exhibitions and festivals.

Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib revealed earlier this year that the country had achieved the goals of Vision 2030 by surpassing 100 million visitors. As a result, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s new strategy was set to reach 150 million visitors.

In September, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlighted Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector as a major contributor to the country’s economic diversification.
An IMF report acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s success in exceeding the Vision 2030 target of attracting 100 million visitors annually by 2023, seven years ahead of schedule. Tourism revenues reached $36 billion in 2023, with net tourism income increasing by 38%. The sector’s direct and indirect contribution to GDP reached 11.5% in 2023, with expectations to grow to 16% by 2034.