Saudi Arabia refutes misinformation on NEOM, affirms sovereignty over city

Saudi Arabia refutes misinformation on NEOM, affirms sovereignty over city

JEDDAH — An official Saudi source refuted the misperceptions published in the media about NEOM, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported early Monday.

The official source assured that NEOM project is completely subject to the sovereignty and regulations of Saudi Arabia, while saying it is one of the major strategic projects of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The source denied comments made by the head of tourism sector in NEOM, Andrew McEvoy, regarding the population situation inside the city, in which he said they will be referred with a special title to distinguish them from Saudi nationals.

McEvoy told The National newspaper that people living in NEOM would not be referred as Saudis but would be called by the title “Neomians”.

The official source said that NEOM will operate within special economic zones subject to the sovereignty and economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of security, defense and regulatory aspects.

He added that the Kingdom will develop specific economic legislation to the project area that achieves the best concepts of governance of economic zones in the world, so that NEOM becomes one of the most important attraction points globally.

The head of tourism sector in NEOM was speaking to the UAE-based newspaper last week