RIYADH, Jan 16 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia plans to startdeveloping the first area of its mega business zone NEOM in thefirst quarter of 2019, state news agency SPA reported onWednesday.

(Reporting By Stephen Kalin; Writing by Tom Arnold; editing byJohn Stonestreet) ((Tom.Arnold@thomsonreuters.com; +97144536265; ReutersMessaging: tom.arnold.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))