Investment opportunities in Mecca: 30 environmental and agricultural sites offered
In a strategic move aimed at promoting sustainable development and diversifying the local economy, the Makkah Region Development Authority, in cooperation with the National Center for Vegetation Development and Combating Desertification , announced a significant package of promising investment opportunities. This announcement came during a specialized workshop held under the title "Investment Opportunities and Regulatory Enablers in the Sectors of the System," which highlighted the region's vast potential in the environmental and agricultural fields.
Details of investment opportunities and targeted locations
The workshop revealed more than 30 investment sites, covering a total area exceeding 10 million square meters . These opportunities are geographically distributed across several vital governorates in the region, most notably Taif, Al-Lith, Al-Jumum, Khulais, and Al-Kamil. The opportunities were divided into 17 direct investment opportunities and 18 environmental opportunities primarily focused on developing vegetation cover.
Among the prominent destinations reviewed, Taif National Park and Jabal Al Qamar Park in Khulais Governorate stand out as tourist and environmental icons awaiting development, opening the door wide for the private sector to create quality tourism projects that combine entertainment and environmental preservation.
Vision context and national dimensions
This initiative comes at a crucial historical and developmental juncture, as Saudi Arabia, through its Vision 2030, to reduce its reliance on oil and activate the role of non-oil sectors. The ecotourism and agritourism sector is a cornerstone of the "Green Saudi Arabia" initiative, which aims to increase vegetation cover and combat desertification. Historically, the Makkah region has been characterized by a unique topographical diversity encompassing coasts, mountains, and valleys. However, investment in ecotourism has remained limited compared to religious tourism, making this move a pivotal turning point in utilizing the region's natural resources.
Expected economic and environmental impact
This investment movement is expected to have a wide-ranging positive impact on several levels:
- Locally: These projects will contribute to creating thousands of jobs for the people of the targeted governorates, and revitalize commercial activity in the peripheral areas, thus enhancing the quality of life and reducing migration to major cities.
- Environmentally: Investing in vegetation cover ensures the sustainability of natural resources, as investment contracts stipulate adherence to strict environmental standards, which contributes to reducing carbon emissions and combating desertification.
- Economically: This proposal promotes public-private partnerships (PPPs), attracting local and foreign capital to invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure, which supports the Kingdom’s GDP.
The workshop concluded with a discussion of the financing opportunities and government support mechanisms available to investors, emphasizing the commitment of the concerned authorities to remove obstacles to ensure the success of these quality projects that outline a green and prosperous future for the Makkah region.
