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Saudi Crown Prince Orders Allocating 20 Mln Square Meters for Housing Projects North of Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Orders Allocating 20 Mln Square Meters for Housing Projects North of Riyadh
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Saudi Crown Prince Orders Allocating 20 Mln Square Meters for Housing Projects North of Riyadh

Saudi Crown Prince Orders Allocating 20 Mln Square Meters for Housing Projects North of Riyadh

Moving forward with plans to realize the goals set by the Riyadh Strategy, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has ordered the allocation of 20 million square meters for residential land north of the capital.

The ownership will be transferred to the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs, and Housing. This comes as part of a drive to improve the housing sector, help families and develop Riyadh.

The allocation aims to increase the residential area of ​​the Al-Jawan suburb from 10 million square meters to 30 million square meters, and build up to 53,000 housing units through integrated projects, facilities, and services in partnership with the private sector. This is on top of the 20,000 housing units that have already been announced.

Support for the housing sector has led to Saudi home ownership increasing from 47% to 60% in the last four years.

The Kingdom hopes the figure will reach 70% under the Vision 2030 reform programs.

“The additional lands allocated to the housing sector north of Riyadh will provide more than 53,000 various housing units that real estate developers will work on, taking into account the quality of services that meet the aspirations of citizens,” the statement said.

The move is also in line with the city’s growth with the aim of becoming one of the 10 largest economic cities in the world and an increase in population from 15 to 20 million by 2030.

Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majed Al-Hogail said the housing sector contributes more than SR115 billion ($30.6 million) to GDP and provides about 40,000 direct and indirect jobs.

It is worth noting that Riyadh’s housing sector has witnessed rapid growth over the past two years.

Moreover, the capital accounts for nearly 50% of the non-oil economy in the Kingdom and offers infrastructure and real estate development at rates that are 29% cheaper than other cities.

Lower development costs are likely to speed the launching of development projects across various sectors and fields, including housing, which is one of the most fundamental economic sectors attractive to investors.

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Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
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Kuwaiti Emir Begins Official Visit to France to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 
The Emir of Kuwait departs the country, heading to Paris on an official visit (KUNA) 

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, arrived in Paris on Sunday for his first official visit to France since assuming office last December. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes senior Kuwaiti government officials.

The visit comes at a particularly sensitive moment for the region, amid escalating tensions, the ongoing war in Gaza, and the fallout from military strikes between Iran and Israel.

In a statement issued by the Élysée Palace, the French presidency said the visit reflects a shared desire to deepen bilateral cooperation across diplomatic, defense, and economic spheres. The trip also coincides with Kuwait’s current presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

According to the statement, the Emir will meet President Emmanuel Macron for a working lunch on Monday. He will also attend France’s annual Bastille Day military parade on July 14.

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya described the visit as a “strategic milestone” to strengthen partnership in light of rapidly evolving regional and global dynamics. He confirmed that the Emir’s agenda includes signing agreements and memorandums of understanding covering infrastructure, education, defense, and culture.

Historical Relations

Diplomatic ties between Kuwait and France date back to 1961, when Paris formally recognized Kuwaiti independence. In 1967, the two countries exchanged ambassadors. Over the decades, the relationship has seen several high-profile visits, including Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al Sabah’s trip to Paris in 1989 and Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah’s meeting with President Jacques Chirac in 2006.

Ministerial engagements have also continued, with former Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid attending the Middle East Peace Conference in 2017. More recently, French Minister Jean-Noël Barrot visited Kuwait in April to sign new bilateral agreements.

Economic and Defense Partnership

France is one of Kuwait’s leading economic partners. French companies account for nearly 50% of European investments in the country and employ over 2,100 people in sectors such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and consumer goods.

On defense, Kuwait and France maintain a military cooperation agreement first signed in August 1992 and renewed in 2009, which provides for mutual assistance if Kuwait faces external aggression. France’s participation in the 1991 coalition to liberate Kuwait cemented its standing as a key military ally.

Last month, Kuwait’s embassy in Paris took part in the “Gulf Vision 2025” conference hosted under Macron’s patronage to forge broader economic partnerships between France and the GCC states.