Saudi’s NEOM second phase to begin 2019-end, says CEO

Construction of the first phase of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious megaproject, NEOM, is now complete and the second phase strategy will be announced by the end of 2019, Arab News reported, citing CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr.

“Day by day, NEOM is becoming a reality as more facilities are built at the project’s first urban area, NEOM Bay. It is just the start, and work will continue endlessly,” Al-Nasr said in his address to a diplomatic gathering on their first visit to the site, located in the northwestern corner of Saudi Arabia.

The first phase strategy, a plan covering the economic concept, the funding, and the roadmap of the project, was developed, while the second phase will include detailed plans for NEOM’s 16 economic sectors and regions.

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“We started Phase 2’s strategy, and we will finish that by end of 2019, which means by the end of the year, we will share with the world what NEOM is going to be,” Al-Nasr added while speaking in Gayal, where NEOM’s first commercial airport is located.

NEOM Bay will host a second airport, offices, and residential units for construction workers assigned to the rest of the development. To spur the technological advancement within NEOM, Al-Nasr said that the project “will be funding technology development, and we will be partnering with leading technology partners in the world.”

In his address, Al-Nasr invited the diplomats to be part of NEOM. “We want you to think that one day you can be living, working and retiring in NEOM, and of course, we don’t mind you investing as well.”

The tour concluded with a visit to the International Beach Soccer Tournament hosted by NEOM.