Prince Mohammed bin Salman explained that the ambitious project comes within the framework of plans to support the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the launch of the project to build the Kingdom’s largest cultural, sports and entertainment city in Al Qidiya, southwest of Riyadh.

The city is the first of its kind in the world with an area of 334 square kilometers, including a major safari area, a statement on Saudi Press Agency (SPA) read.

The Deputy Crown Prince, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund, said he hopes the city will become “a prominent cultural landmark and an important center for meeting the future generation’s recreational, cultural and social needs in the Kingdom”.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman explained that the ambitious project comes within the framework of plans to support the vision of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 2030 by creating investments within the Kingdom that serve the country and the citizens.

“It also contributes to diversifying the sources of national income, boosts Saudi economy and creates more job opportunities for young people,” the statement read.

The prince also disclosed that the Public Investment Fund is the main investor in the project, along with a number of local and international investors, which supports the Kingdom’s position as an important international center in attracting foreign investments.

The foundation stone for the city is scheduled to be laid in the beginning of 2018 and the opening of its first phase in 2022. The project hopes to make a qualitative leap in the Kingdom and support the country’s vision aimed at achieving more prosperity and progress for society and raising the Level of services in the capital Riyadh to become one of the top 100 cities for living in the world.

“The project is an important incentive to attract visitors as the capital of future adventures and will be their first and preferred choice for offering a number of carefully chosen and selected activities, designed with the latest international standards to achieve a healthy and harmonious life, and provide more entertainment, joy and fun,” SPA quoted the prince as saying.

The project is expected to include the entertainment city of Six Flags as one of the main attractions of the project.

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with Six Flags CEO James Reid-Anderson during his US trip last year.