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Saudis have no excuse to be in Third World: Prince Khaled

JEDDAH: A massive exhibition will be staged in Obhur, north of Jeddah, to showcase major development projects under way in Makkah province. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah will open the show tomorrow.

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal inspected the arrangements for the exhibition's opening on Wednesday and said it was organized to highlight major projects taking place in the region during King Abdullah's rule as well as growing investment opportunities in the region. He said Saudi Arabia's development plans were aimed at making the Kingdom a first world country. "We believe that this country and its people deserve to have a place in the First World, not in the Third World, and we have all the potentials to accomplish this objective," he said.

He said the government has devised economic, cultural, educational, social and tourism development plans to achieve that goal. "Saudis have no excuse to remain a Third World nation," he said in a statement.

The exhibition's venue, which covers an area of 115,000 sq. m., is located between the Camel Square and Kanz Restaurant. Models of 14 projects will be on the show that will open to the public free of charge. The exhibition will continue for three months.

The projects include the Kingdom Tower, Khozam Palace, King Abdul Aziz Road in Makkah, King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh, Jeddah Gate, Dubai Towers, Jeddah Islamic Port Expansion, the Jabal Omar project in Makkah, Lamar Towers, King Abdul Aziz International Airport Expansion and Souk Okaz in Taif.

Economic analysts highlighted the significance of the exhibition saying it reflected the viable investment opportunities in the province for both Saudis and foreigners. They say many international companies have already shown interest to build real estate and infrastructure projects in the Kingdom.

King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh is the most important and largest project under construction in the province. Spreading over an area of 168 million square meters, the city is being developed by the UAE real estate giant Emaar Properties. Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) provides logistic support to the project.

The KAEC will not only increase job opportunities for Saudis but also enhance the Kingdom's global business competitiveness, analysts said. Once fully operational, the city is expected to provide housing to two million people and create jobs for more than a million young Saudi men and women.

Jeddah Development Company plans a series of vital projects to change the face of the Red Sea port city, in cooperation with public and private sectors. It will also develop the disorganized areas of the city to make it more hygienic and beautiful. The exhibition will showcase the company's projects.

Jabal Omar, located southwest of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, is another giant project to be exhibited at the Obhur show. The project includes hotels, residential towers, shopping complexes and public service facilities. It will offer residential facilities for 100,000 people, air-conditioned prayer facilities for 100,000 and open prayer space for 120,000.

Lamar Towers, which includes residential units, a luxury mall, offices and a world-class spa, is another important project taking its shape in the province. It is estimated to cost SR2.5 billion and is being developed by Cayan Investment Company .

By P. K. Abdul Ghafour

© Arab News 2008