Diriyah Gate CEO: Megaprojects ‘grander’ than anywhere else in world

Diriyah Gate CEO: Megaprojects ‘grander’ than anywhere else in world

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's growing portfolio of megaprojects means the commercial opportunities on offer "are grander than any other place in the world,“ according to the CEO of one of Kingdom's flagship developments. Speaking at the virtual GCC-UK Trade Summit 2021 on Tuesday, in a session moderated by senior Arab News business columnist Frank Kane, Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, pointed out that before tourists flocked to Petra in Jordan or Alexandra in Egypt, but they would soon be coming to Riyadh to see a global destination rich in history, culture, nature and art. Diriyah Gate is a $40 billion development project and joins the likes of the futuristic NEOM, the historic AlUla, the entertainment-focused Qiddiya and the eco-friendly Red Sea Project among Saudi Arabia's mega projects. A new global landmark, Diriyah is the site of the first Saudi Kingdom in the 18th century. Construction began on Diriyah Gate in July 2020. Located 15 minutes' drive northwest of Riyadh, it will feature a Formula E racetrack and a 15,000-seat arena. "We are hyper-accelerating all of the tourism infrastructure so we give a very qualitative experience so people can get around and enjoy the region,“ Inzerillo added. Speaking