Virgin Hyperloop can boost Saudi Vision 2030 and GDP growth: executive

Virgin Hyperloop One systems can bring about a significant boost to Saudi Arabia’s economy through enhancing the GDP growth rate by 1 to 2 percent, Colin Rhys, VP - Arabian Gulf, of the Los Angeles-based Virgin Hyperloop One, told Argaam in an exclusive interview.

“Virgin Hyperloop One systems can support the Crown Prince’s Vision 2030. It can stimulate economic growth and diversification of Saudi industries, nurture manufacturing and innovation sectors, and spur job growth in support of the country’s Vision 2030 plan increasing the GDP by 1-2 percent across the Kingdom,” Rhys said. 

Also read: Saudi Arabia becomes first in the world to develop hyperloop network

He said the continued support of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and collaboration with Vision 2030 will help make Hyperloop One a reality in Saudi Arabia.

“We are making incredible progress in the region,” he added.

The implementation of Virgin Hyperloop One systems in Saudi Arabia will help transform the country from a technology consumer to a technology innovator, one of the pillars of Vision 2030, Rhys said, adding that a Virgin Hyperloop One system in Saudi Arabia would turn hour-long journeys into minutes, which would also aid the economic development of the country.

“It would be possible to travel from Riyadh to Jeddah in 76 minutes instead of 10 hours, or Riyadh to Abu Dhabi in 48 minutes instead of over 8.5 hours with hyperloop,” he added.

Also see: Virgin Hyperloop chooses Jeddah as site for its ad campaign

Virgin Hyperloop One technology is additive to existing forms of transportation and will integrate seamlessly with the transportation ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. By being at the forefront of this change, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself well for future growth.

Last year, Virgin Hyperloop One had launched an internship program together with the Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Foundation (MISK) to provide an opportunity for young leaders in engineering fields to develop their abilities through a comprehensive learning experience at Virgin Hyperloop One’s Los Angeles-based Innovation campus.

Write to Sunil Kumar Singh at sunil.kumar@argaamplus.com