Syed Arif Hashmy

Emaar, The Economic City (EEC) is the master developer of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and acts as the master planner, primary infrastructure developer, enabler, and facilitator of KAEC. EEC is a Tadawul-listed public joint-stock Saudi company established in 2006 and is 25% owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is an emerging destination centrally located on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia. Located a short distance north of Jeddah, KAEC is a 185 square kilometer city anchored by King Abdullah Port—recently named by the World Bank as the most efficient port in the world—and KAEC Industrial Valley, which is focused on logistics and light manufacturing. Over 100 multinational and Saudi companies have already made their home in KAEC, engaging in diverse activities ranging from advanced logistics to automotive, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, packaging, and building materials manufacturing. KAEC is directly connected to the Haramain high-speed railway network and the Saudi National Highways grid, making the city a key node along the Red Sea economic corridor. KAEC also offers a modern leisure and tourism district which includes over 40km of pristine coastline, several hotels, and the award-winning Royal Greens international tournament golf course. In 2021, the city welcomed over 1 million visitors and has developed a range of lifestyle residential communities for its growing population of full-time residents and second homeowners. With its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and investor-friendly regulation, KAEC is a ready-made platform for Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives. KAEC is actively contributing to national objectives embodied in Vision 2030, from attracting foreign direct investment to developing the tourism sector, promoting sports, entertainment, and arts, creating new jobs, and growing non-oil exports through companies operating in its Industrial Valley.