Eight projects worth SAR 1 bln underway in Makkah

Saudi Arabia's Makkah Province is becoming one of the most attractive investment destinations in the Kingdom with eight major project rollouts underway worth SAR 1 billion ($283 million).

The latest projects were unveiled during the recent Makkah Economic Forum in Jeddah and designed to encourage local and international business investments in the region's development projects in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

Prominent among these is a historical sites development project involving an investment of SAR 425 million to renovate four historical sites of great significance to the cities of Makkah and Madinah - Jabal Al-Noor, Jabal Thor, Jabal Al-Romat and Arwah Ibn Al-Zubair Palace. The project includes development of museums, gift shops, transportation services, restaurants, restrooms, tourism offices and shopping centres.

Another major project is the development of a specialized mall costing over SAR 175 million to promote products made in Makkah and Madinah.

An investment opportunity worth SAR 130 million at the Makkah Gate Development Project involves building and operating the project as well as the parking area and commercial buildings.

A food factory for Pilgrims Project will cost SAR 90 million to build and operate the factory, which will provide high-quality food to pilgrims at affordable prices. Besides, a waste management factory involving SAR 80 million will be set up to handle waste generated from sacrificial meat and utilize it to create fertilizers.

The SAR 85 million Downtown Terminal Project involves the construction of service buildings, facilities, storage depots and a shopping center. The project will help reduce the pressure on local and international terminals and improve visitor experience.

The Qarn Al-Manazel Development Project, involving an investment of SAR 50 million, intends to renovate the areas near Qarn Al-Manazil Miqat, where shopping areas and washing facilities will be built.

Another project, worth SAR 26 million will provide high-quality support services to the physically-challenged and the elderly during the Hajj and Umrah seasons.