JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification has announced seven investment opportunities in national parks across the Eastern Province, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
This forms part of a wider package of 142 investment opportunities announced on July 2 in cooperation with the Federation of Saudi Chambers, represented by the National Committee for Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Huda bint Abdullah Al-Buqami, director general of the General Department for Development and Investment, said the opportunities aim to develop sustainable ecotourism destinations while creating jobs and supporting local economies.
HIGHLIGHT
The opportunities cover ecotourism, events, recreational activities and services designed to develop national parks and strengthen their appeal to visitors from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
“These opportunities stand out for their diversity and geographical reach across the Kingdom, as well as their focus on developing sustainable ecotourism destinations in partnership with the private sector,” she said. “This will enhance the use of Saudi Arabia’s natural assets and support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.”
The opportunities cover ecotourism, events, recreational activities and services designed to develop national parks and strengthen their appeal to visitors from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
The package covers more than 60 million sq. meters across the Kingdom and includes projects in camping, caravanning, events, ecotourism and agritourism, with investment periods ranging from five to 25 years.
The center said the expected investment exceeds SR700 million, with projected returns of up to 16 percent and an internal rate of return of 17 percent. The projects are also expected to contribute more than SR2 billion to gross domestic product and create about 7,000 jobs.
Al-Buqami said the initiative would benefit investors while generating broader economic and social value.
“The opportunities provide investors with a promising investment environment, while also helping to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and support activities and services that benefit local communities,” she said.
She added environmental safeguards would be incorporated throughout project implementation: “All investment projects will be implemented within frameworks that take environmental sustainability into account. The aim is to balance investment-driven development with the conservation of natural resources, ensuring that these sites remain sustainable for future generations.”
