Where there is a will, there is a way and by now we know that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is nothing if not strong-willed. The visionary prince is leaving no stone unturned to turn his dream of a futuristic $1.5 trillion Neom City into a larger-than-life reality. The latest step is a soon-to-be held show-and-tell organized for hundreds of bankers with the aim of funding the marvelous new way of life in the northwest expanse of the Kingdom.
Neom’s Chief Executive Officer, Nadhmi Al-Nasr, who regularly updates the world on every development in Neom, aims to advance the banks with billions in funding. It is no secret that Neom City, said to be larger than 10 Hong Kongs, is a magnum opus in the making, arousing both awe and skepticism in equal measure. What better than stimulating an innate interest among bankers by letting actions do the talking instead of words and videos?
These officials will be party to the actual work happening inside Neom rather than relying on the virtual reality videos that may not impress those who have to part with billions of dollars. Al-Nasr will give the financiers and top government officials a clear proximate perspective on the reality of Neom and the progress made so far on The Line.
News of scaling back and building The Line in phases nearly invalidated many tall claims, like having 1.5 million residents living in The Line by 2030.
The statements have been adjusted and the development will house fewer than 300,000 residents by that time. The upcoming event will bring under one roof a large group of financiers from multiple institutions. The dignitaries will not only get a glimpse of The Line, but also of the nearly completed sea-horse shaped Sindalah Island, set to be ready this year, and the industrial port known as Oxagon.
Bloomberg shared that the bankers will be given a tour of The Line’s Hidden Marina. The VIP treatment meted to the financiers will include bidding adieu to extraordinary Neom City and unmatched Saudi hospitality on VIP jets from Neom Bay Airport.
Only a few days ago, over 100 construction companies visited Neom City in a two-day industry forum. It was for them to understand the development taking place firsthand. The development, which already employs 140,000 construction workers, expects that workforce to top 200,000 by next year. Neom City certainly needs both man and money for the pipe dream to come true.
