Saudi king lays foundation stone for Qiddiya entertainment city project

Source: Xinhua| 2018-04-29 04:21:13|Editor: yan
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RIYADH, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Saturday laid the foundation stone for Qiddiya project, a new recreational, sports and cultural landmark, to be established in Riyadh, Saudi Press Agency reported.

The project will be built in Qiddiya area, some 40 km west of Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh. It is expected to be the largest and most important tourist destination in the region, making Riyadh a tourist hotspot.

"About two-thirds of the kingdom's population are under the age of 35. There is a great need for the project to provide them with entertainment. The project will save about 30 billion U.S. dollars which will be used to develop the domestic economy and create new job opportunities for the Saudi youths," Dr Fahd bin Abdullah Tounsi, Secretary General of the Foundation Council of Qiddiya Project under the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Some of the entertainment facilities at Qiddiya will include training academies, desert and asphalt tracks for motorsports enthusiasts, water and snow activities, outdoor adventures, safaris and nature experiences.

Visitors can also expect historical, cultural and educational events. Other features will include commercial centers, restaurants, cafes, hotels, real estate project opportunities and services that meet the needs of all segments of society.

Saudi Arabia has been taking major steps towards an economy that is less dependent on oil revenues through serious reforms in the general policies of the country, fighting corruption and backing the private sector as a key factor for development.

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