JEDDAH, 24 October 2004 — Riyadh Governor Prince Salman yesterday laid the foundation stone for an international exhibition center on Prince Abdullah Road in the capital city. The project is estimated to cost SR150 million.
Speaking to reporters later, Prince Salman expressed hope that the center would help promote national products at the international level and boost economic activities in the country.
Prince Salman downplayed the flight of Saudi capital to other countries and said the Kingdom was inviting capital from all over the world. However, he emphasized the need for new incentives to attract Saudi funds.
The center covers an area of 193,000 square meters and includes a conference hall that can seat 1,000 people including 200 women.
Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed in March a memorandum of understanding with Al-Yamamah Trading & Contracting Company to implement the project. Jeraisy said the center, to be ready within two years, would host national, regional and international exhibitions to promote industry and business.
The center will have four exhibition halls with the main hall covering an area of more than 4,700 square meters and the rest around 3,000 square meters, each with independent facilities such as reception, security and warehouses.
“The project also includes a permanent exhibition center for national products and a center for businesswomen with all facilities and services,” Jeraisy said and thanked Prince Salman for his support to the project.
Other facilities at the center will include offices of organizers, a business service center, banking services, travel and tourism offices, medical and first-aid services, posts, rent-a-car and hotel services. The center will have a large restaurant covering an area of 1,600 square meters to provide fast food to people visiting exhibitions. The project also includes a mosque, which can accommodate more than 1,000 worshippers.
Jeraisy said the center was designed to become an imposing landmark in the capital, matching the Kingdom’s international reputation. He emphasized the role of exhibitions in boosting economic progress and promoting commercial exchange. He noted the Riyadh chamber’s role in promoting national products since it was established 16 years ago.
Hussein Abdul Rahman Al-Athel, secretary-general of the Riyadh chamber, highlighted the importance of exhibitions and said they represent “the corner stone” of business activities in modern days.