Saudi Arabia is on the verge of a remarkable global transformation, positioning Riyadh to emerge as one of the world’s top ten cities. Fahd Al-Rasheed, the Chairman of the Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions General Authority (SCEGA), shared this bold vision during the recent Future Investment Initiative (FII) conference. His comments highlighted the kingdom’s commitment to innovation, economic diversification, and sustainable development strategies that are reshaping its future. With these efforts, the Saudi capital aims to attract investment and become a global hub for business and culture. He emphasized the swift expansion of Saudi Arabia’s non-oil sectors, which have experienced a remarkable growth rate of 7%. This growth signals a dynamic shift in the kingdom’s economic landscape, highlighting its commitment to diversification and innovation.
Vision 2030 Spurs Growth in Events, Conferences
Al-Rasheed credited Saudi Vision 2030 for steering the Kingdom’s exhibitions and conferences sector toward new horizons. Saudi Arabia hosted over 17,000 events in 2023, with plans to raise this number to 40,000 by 2030. This ambitious growth aligns with Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy beyond oil.
Expo 2030: A Global Event with a Forward-Thinking Vision
The chairman stressed the significance of Saudi Arabia’s Expo 2030 bid, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He described Expo 2030 as a global event that will unify nations and showcase a future-focused vision for development and cooperation.
AI Fuels Riyadh’s Evolution into a Smart City
Highlighting AI’s crucial role, Al-Rasheed noted that integrating artificial intelligence will transform Riyadh’s urban landscape and workforce. He added that FII and similar events depend on technological innovation, emphasizing the importance of creativity and tech-driven strategies in building the cities of the future.
