Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently announced the launch of its Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC) to build and operate the facilities of the event, Saudi Arabia’s first World Expo, as well as preserving the legacy of the event.
The master plan for Expo 2030 Riyadh covers an area of 6 million square meters, making it one of the biggest World Expo sites. The Expo will be to the north of the city, near the future King Salman International Airport, and with direct connections to the Saudi capital’s landmarks.
“ERC benefits from PIF’s diverse local and global ecosystem and the establishment of the company aligns with PIF’s local real estate strategy, which drives economic transformation and diversification, advancing urban innovation and enhancing quality of life, driven by the ambitious goals of Saudi Vision 2030,” said Saad Alkroud, head of the local real estate investment division at PIF.
Expo 2030 Riyadh to attract over 40 million visits
Expo 2030 Riyadh is projected to attract more than 40 million visits. After the Expo event, the company plans to lead the transformation of the Expo’s gated area into a global village to serve as a multicultural hub for retail, food and beverage, surrounded by an international residential community with world-class amenities, setting new standards in sustainable tourism.
PIF continues with its strategic mandate: to achieve economic impact for Saudi Arabia while securing sustainable returns. PIF is one of the world’s most impactful investors, driving Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification while also enabling the creation of key sectors and opportunities that help shape the global economy. The investment fund also leads the development of transformative giga-projects and landmark real estate initiatives across Saudi Arabia.
Expo to contribute $64 billion to Saudi GDP
The investor also revealed that Expo 2030 Riyadh Company is swiftly launching operations to fulfill its mandate, and will partner with the local and global private sector to achieve its goals for construction, cultural programming and event management.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, and will further strengthen the city’s attractiveness to international businesses. The event also reinforces the city’s status as one of the world’s fastest-transforming capitals, one that combines sustainability, connectivity and quality of life at scale. Riyadh was awarded the hosting rights for Expo 2030 in November 2024, winning the vote in the first round.
During its construction phases, Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy are projected to contribute around $64 billion to Saudi GDP and generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected to contribute approximately $5.6 billion to GDP.
Countries participating in Expo 2030 Riyadh will have the option of building permanent pavilions and being part of the event’s legacy. The Expo will also provide opportunities for long-term business and investment growth.
