Saudi king launches construction of mega-park

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has launched construction of an “entertainment city” near here, part of a series of multi-billion dollar projects aimed at helping the oil-dependent kingdom diversify its economy.

The project is part of a sweeping reform and investment programme dubbed “Vision 2030”, the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed Salman, who also attended the launch ceremony at the site on Saturday evening.

Its first phase, which includes high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a safari area, is expected to be completed in 2022, officials say.

They hope the park will draw in foreign investment and attract 17 million visitors by 2030. The kingdom this month hosted its first public film screening in over 35 years, having lifted a decadeslong ban on cinemas last year.

In February, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority said it would stage more than 5,000 festivals and concerts this year double last year’s figure, and pump US$64 billion (RM251 billion) into the sector in the coming decade.

Aside from Qiddiya, the kingdom has unveiled blueprints for NEOM — billed as a regional Silicon Valley to be built from scratch — and a reef-fringed resort destination on the Red Sea.

Sceptics have questioned the viability of the projects, worth hundreds of billions of dollars, in an era of cheap oil.