Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH – Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, emir of Makkah and adviser to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, said that as many as 10 international and Saudi companies have come forward to invest in the new Al-Faisaliah City project even before the bids were invited for the project.

“This shows the positive signal and tremendous response for this giant project,” he said.

Prince Khaled made the remarks while presiding over the first meeting of the project at his office in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The emir instructed that an Islamic Center should be built in the first phase of Al-Faisaliah project, which includes the complex of government departments, waterfront, logistics area, diplomatic quarters and development of Allaith Road.

He also directed that half-yearly reports about the progress of work of the project should be prepared and presented to King Salman.

Al Faisaliah project is an important developmental step in the Kingdom’s march towards diversifying the economy and activating partnership with the private sector in the development of key projects to achieve the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The city, which will be constructed on an area of 2,450 square kilometers, will be located in the western part of Makkah, starting from the Haram boundary and will extend up to the Red Sea coast of Al-Shuaiba in the west.

It is expected to provide one million jobs in different sectors including health, education, technology and services.