JEDDAH: Agreements have been signed with the private sector to implement four major residential, commercial, health and cultural projects in Makkah on Saturday in the presence of Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal. The new Makkah Gate projects, worth billions of riyals, are aimed to solving the housing problem in the holy city.
A residential district project will be established east of the government department complex, the Saudi Press Agency said, adding that it will cover more than a million square meters. It will be developed by Sumou Holding, a leading real estate company.
A similar project with commercial and residential facilities will be carried out on an area of three million square meters north of the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. Sheikh Ibrahim Afandi Group is the developers of that project.
A charitable hospital to treat cancerous tumors will be established on the northwestern part of the expressway by a group of businessmen led by Abdul Rahman Faqeeh. An agreement was also signed for a cultural and knowledge center with Rawafid Charitable Foundation.
Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Prince Khaled said the new projects would solve the shortage of residential and commercial facilities in Makkah and promote cultural development.
The governor disclosed plans to establish government offices in the newly developed residential districts. "We have also a plan to establish low-cost houses on the west of the expressway," he said, adding that the new project would be designed to reflect Makkah's culture and spirituality.
Addressing the signing ceremony, Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar said his organization is currently implementing four low-cost housing projects in various parts of the city. "Efforts are under way to distribute 33,000 new plots in the newly developed Wali Al-Ahd Residential Area," he added.
Apart from residential apartments, commercial centers and administrative offices, the Makkah Gate project will include a stadium and amusement parks. According to sources, the new projects will be completed in 10 years. The area for development starts from the Shumaisy check point and extends to the entrance of Makkah and will include the Hudaibiyah Mosque, King Abdullah Center for Interfaith Dialogue, commercial and industrial exhibition centers, and heritage villages.
© Arab News 2011
