A presentation of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project shown at the Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh. AFP
A presentation of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project shown at the Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh. AFP
A presentation of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project shown at the Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh. AFP
A presentation of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea project shown at the Future Investment Initiatives conference in Riyadh. AFP

Saudi Arabia starts construction on Red Sea tourism project


Sarmad Khan
  • English
  • Arabic

Saudi Arabia has started construction work on its mega Red Sea Project that includes a nature reserve and heritage sites and spans about 50 islands as the kingdom seeks to boost the contribution of tourism sector to the economy.

The base camp is set up in the coastal area near the southern end of the 28,000 square kilometre project, which is the first of numerous enabling works to be carried out this year to provide essential infrastructure, The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) said on its website on Wednesday.

“This is an important milestone for Red Sea Project and takes us another step closer to our goal of creating a truly exquisite tourism destination on the Red Sea coast,” said John Pagano, chief executive of TRSDC.

“The remote nature of the site, which is an important part of its appeal as a destination, creates logistical challenges for the support of large-scale development and the base camp is an essential first step.”

The enabling works include temporary roads, bridge, jetties, utilities, workforce accommodation and a management village, which will support the development of tourism project. Construction of workers’ accommodation, which will house up to 10,000 people, will begin in the second quarter of this year, TRSDC said.

Saudi Arabia, the biggest Arab economy and the world’s top oil exporter, relies heavily on the sale hydrocarbons for revenues. the kingdom is currently going through an economic overhaul to develop its non-oil economy including tourism sector as it seeks to attract international tourists and increase domestic spending on attractions within the kingdom.

Public Investment Fund, the kingdom's main investment arm that holds stakes in local and international companies such as electric car maker Tesla, is central to Riyadh's economic diversification agenda. The fund, which manages $250 billion of assets, is building Neom, a $500bn (Dh1.8 trillion) futuristic business and industrial city, which extends into Egypt and Jordan. It is also behind an Qiddiya entertainment development near Riyadh that will include high-end theme parks, motor sport facilities and a safari park. American theme park corporation Six Flags has already agreed a deal  to build a branded compound at the complex.

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Results

2pm: Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m; Winner: Majestic Thunder, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).

2.30pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m; Winner: Just A Penny, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson.

3pm: Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

3.30pm: Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m; Winner: Thegreatcollection, Adrie de Vries, Doug Watson.

4pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Oktalgano, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4.30pm: Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m; Winner: Madame Ellingtina, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

5pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m; Winner: Mystery Land, Fabrice Veron, Helal Al Alawi.

5.30pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m; Winner: Shanaghai City, Jesus Rosales, Rashed Bouresly.

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Analysis

Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday.

The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone’s interests to do so. Both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. It’s full speed ahead - and with some lofty ambitions - on the road to a free trade agreement. 

We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle through the current moment. 

 

THE CARD

2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m

3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m

3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m

4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m

4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m