We will continue to refute their claims, so they are free to keep claiming that.
In response to criticism of Saudi Arabia’s major building projects, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia made that statement in a July 2023 TV documentary.
Some of the questions are now being confirmed nearly a year later.
The centerpiece of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s massive desert development project Neom, appears to have had some planning trimmed back in recent months.
The de facto ruler of the Gulf state, Prince Mohammed, is leading this campaign of economic diversification to wean the nation off of its reliance on oil.
In addition to Neom, thirteen more massive building projects, or “giga projects,” are being developed in Saudi Arabia that are expected to be worth it.
These include several opulent island resorts on the Red Sea, an entertainment city outside of the capital Riyadh, and a plethora of other tourist and cultural hotspots.
Riyadh is being forced to reevaluate these projects and look at new funding methods as a result of the impact low oil prices have had on government earnings.
The government-affiliated advisor, who asked not to be identified, told the BBC that the projects are under review and that a decision is anticipated shortly.
“A variety of factors will be considered,” he states. However, there’s no denying that a recalibration is coming. While some projects will go ahead as scheduled, others may be postponed or reduced in scope.
