King Abdullah Economic City

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) is the first newly established economic city in Saudi Arabia that is entirely developed by the private sector. It was announced during the reign of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 2005. Located on the western coast of Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea, in the Rabigh Governorate north of Jeddah, it is administratively governed by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and is developed by Emaar.

KAEC covers an area of approximately 181 million m. At its coastal headquarters, King Abdullah Port, it intersects with air and sea shipping routes, providing access to 250 million consumers in MENA. It also connects the cities of Makkah al-Mukarramah and Madinah al-Munawarrah through the Haramain High-Speed Railway station.

KAEC is comprised of six main components. The Industrial Zone, also known as the Industrial Valley, covers an area of 55 million m and accommodates 2,500 companies and factories. By 2020, it had attracted around 215 industrial companies in various sectors. Additionally, it includes King Abdullah Port, situated on the main Asia-Europe shipping route. The city also features residential areas, currently consisting of six residential neighborhoods: al-Muruj District, Bay La Sun, al-Tala Gardens, al-Waha, al-Shorouq, and al-Hijaz Miram. It also includes a beach resort area. Furthermore, the city encompasses an educational zone, home to the Prince Mohammad bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship, established in partnership with the Misk Foundation, Babson Global, and Lockheed Martin.

The developmental value of KAEC amounts to approximately SAR100 Bn, sourced from various financing channels. The total investment in the city since its launch has reached around SAR52 Bn, with the majority allocated to infrastructure and transportation projects, e.g., the Haramain High-Speed Railway station and King Abdullah Port.

The city is home to the National Aviation Academy, specializing in aviation training needs in the Kingdom, accommodating 350 pilots and 1,000 technicians annually. It also includes World Academy, as well as the Central Business District, which encompasses a financial island along with commercial facilities and centers.

KAEC features key facilities, including the Royal Greens Golf Course and Country Club, located within the al-Marooj District overlooking the Red Sea coast. The golf course, with an 18-hole championship golf course, nine of which are illuminated for evening play, was designed by European Golf Design, a subsidiary of the global sports facilities management company IMG. Additionally, the golf course includes an academy for golf education and training spaces, hosting the Saudi International golf tournament.

KAEC also houses the Yam Beach on the coast of Bay La Sun district, Juman Karting for car racing, the International Culinary Center of Arabia (ICCA), Bay La Sun Marina and Yacht Club, and Net Zone sports fields, and more.

KAEC has won several awards, including the Capital Finance International Award for its industrial valley, being recognized as the best logistics destination on the Red Sea in 2019. The same year, Royal Greens Golf Course received the award for the best golf course in the Kingdom. In 2018, al-Morooj District won the award for the best mixed-use residential district in the Arab region. In 2017, one of its sports complexes received the award for the best entertainment project in the Kingdom and the region.