Jazan City, in the southwestern Jazan Province, will host the Jazan Economic Forum (JEF) on Feb. 25-26, to discuss the investment opportunities and development potential of the Jazan Economic City (JEC), a multi-billion dollar investment project aligned to the Kingdom’s national balanced economic development objectives.

Held with the support of Jazan Province Gov. Prince Muhammad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, the two-day JEF will be a catalyst to stimulate growth by highlighting the compelling vision for the future of JEC and giving investors a clear understanding of the city’s value proposition.

Experts will describe in detail the investments being made in a new industrial base and world-class infrastructure. Ministers and other dignitaries will address the industrial and work force initiatives that are being mobilized and the innovative regulatory environment that will add to the appeal of the city.

Covering an area of 106 square km, the JEC occupies a strategic coastal location approximately 70 km from Jazan city in a region known for its abundant natural resources. The project represents a multibillion-dollar investment by the Saudi government and the private sector to fast-track the growth of Jazan, a region that is well positioned as a gateway to the Kingdom.

The current investment in JEC, scheduled for completion in 2017, focuses on smart infrastructure to meet the energy, utilities and transportation requirements of a diverse industrial base.

Among its features are a new seaport and terminal, a 400,000-barrel per day multibillion-dollar refinery, and a new 2,400 MW power generation plant to meet the substantial increase in energy supply requirements to the national grid. A new airport and a 660 km Jazan-Jeddah coastal highway will complement these developments.

The JEF is sponsored by the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources and the Jazan Governorate, and organized by Saudi Aramco.