Saudi Arabia's King Salman has launched construction of an "entertainment city" near Riyadh, part of a series of multi-billion dollar projects aimed at helping the oil-dependent kingdom diversify its economy, AFP reported Sunday (April 29th).
The project is part of a sweeping reform and investment programme dubbed "Vision 2030", the brainchild of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also attended the launch ceremony at the site on Saturday evening.
The first phase of the 334-square kilometre project in Qiddiya, south-west of the capital, is expected to be completed in 2022, officials say.
They hope the park, which includes high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a safari area, will draw in foreign investment and attract 17 million visitors by 2030.
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.
