Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya expands globally with landmark €6 billion French theme park deal. The Qiddiya Investment Company, an owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has entered into a historic memorandum of understanding with the French Government for the development of a revolutionary entertainment centre that will cost $7 billion ($6 billion). The memorandum of understanding is a moment for Saudi Arabia's efforts in economic diversification as envisaged in Vision 2030. In contrast to developing its own major entertainment venues in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia has started exporting its entertainment ideas around the world. With QIC establishing itself as a powerful international brand in sports, culture, and lifestyle entertainment industries, the export of venue designs and destination management has become an essential part of its international strategy. Formalised on Monday, August 24, the agreement was concluded alongside 20 other economic pacts during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's official state visit to France. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the project on social media as an "unprecedented announcement" that will establish a prominent international tourism hub in Europe. Initial plans for the development, located in Cergy-Pontoise, roughly 30 kilometres northwest of Paris, encompass up to three distinct theme parks - including a planned manga-themed attraction - integrated alongside hospitality, commercial dining, residential spaces, and sports infrastructure. Projected to generate approximately 22,000 direct local jobs, the collaborative venture aligns Saudi destination-building expertise with French urban planning, culture, and transport capabilities. Under the terms of the memorandum signed by Abdullah Al-Dawood, Director General of Qiddiya, and Roland Lescure, French Minister for Economy and Finance, joint working groups will evaluate overall project parameters, establish development models, and determine operational feasibility over the coming months. The European venture directly leverages technical operational capabilities cultivated at QIC's flagship project, Qiddiya City. Located outside Riyadh, the master-planned mega-destination serves as the company's foundational hub for gaming, motorsport, culture, and sports assets. By extending its domestic portfolio into overseas markets, QIC aims to build a broader international footprint while driving long-term value, cross-border investments, and technical knowledge-sharing between the Saudi and French entertainment sectors. content writer | + posts I am passionate about reporting on current affairs, public policy, technology, and social issues. The main focus is on delivering well-researched, accurate, and reader-friendly stories that simplify complex topics. Through my writing,, the aim is to provide credible information. Samridhi Puri I am passionate about reporting on current affairs, public policy, technology, and social issues. The main focus is on delivering well-researched, accurate, and reader-friendly stories that simplify complex topics. Through my writing,, the aim is to provide credible information.

Qiddiya signs €6B deal to develop 3 entertainment cities in France. Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya Investment Co. signed an agreement to develop three entertainment cities in France, with investments estimated at around €6 billion (approximately SAR 26 billion). The deal signing came on the sidelines of the Saudi Crown Prince's visit to France. The entertainment cities will be developed in the Cergy-Pontoise area of France and are expected to create 22,000 jobs. Qiddiya will lead the implementation of the project, which will also include accommodation and dining facilities, as well as residential units, particularly for young professionals and students. In a post on X, French President Emmanuel Macron said France and Saudi Arabia were announcing an unprecedented project, noting that the three entertainment cities would turn the area into a new global destination.

France, Saudi Arabia agree on $7bn theme park project near Paris. France, Saudi Arabia agree on $7bn theme park project near Paris The theme park project is among a raft of deals spanning energy, defence, AI and tourism signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Paris. France and Saudi Arabia have announced plans for a six-billion-euro ($7bn) amusement park near Paris, following talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace. The agreement was among a raft of deals signed on M 08/25/26 - 3 Views The theme park project is among a raft of deals spanning energy, defence, AI and tourism signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Paris. France and Saudi Arabia have announced plans for a six-billion-euro ($7bn) amusement park near Paris, following talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Elysee Palace. The agreement was among a raft of deals signed on Monday as Macron and Prince Mohammed, who is also known as MBS, seek to boost economic and defence ties between their two countries. Macron's office said the amusement park project will see the construction of three theme parks, one of which is expected to be manga-themed, near Cergy-Pontoise, about 30km northwest of Paris. The project is expected to create roughly 22,000 jobs and will be led by Qiddiya, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund. Macron called the project "extraordinary" and said it would create a "new global destination" on the scale of Disneyland Paris. He thanked Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia for their "trust" in French talent, framing the investment as a win for his "Choose France" drive to attract job-creating foreign capital. "We're not done surprising the world. Very proud of this achievement," he added. The project stemmed from a discussion between Macron and MBS in December 2024 in Riyadh, where they discovered their "shared passion" for manga, "and in particular Dragon Ball Z", an adviser to the French president told reporters. The other agreements, signed in a ceremony attended by Macron and MBS, span energy, artificial intelligence, aviation financing, transport and health. Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith, reporting from Paris, said there was also "a letter of intent signed, reinforcing cooperation on defence - an exchange of expertise on cybersecurity, AI training and military training". "The Saudi Arabian defence market is a significant market for French defence manufacturers, as Saudi Arabia looks for new strategic partners," he said. "The French government wants to make sure it still has a hand in, is still working with Saudi Arabia on the country's defence."