New Economy Forum

Saudi King Launches $23 Billion Riyadh Beautification Program

Crown Prince Mohammed is overseeing projects in the capital
Plans include sprawling city park, sports and arts initiatives

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg

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By Donna Abu-Nasr and Vivian Nereim

March 19, 2019 at 2:54 PM UTC

Updated on

March 20, 2019 at 4:27 AM UTC

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Saudi Arabia plans to pour 86 billion riyals ($23 billion) into beautifying its capital, Riyadh, with projects expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and provide new leisure opportunities in a city starved of them.

In addition to the kingdom’s investment, the projects will create opportunities for $15 billion in private sector financing, the government said. Preliminary design work is under way, and construction is to begin in the second half of the year, it said.