Contrary to an earlier (unofficial) statement Saudi Arabia has no plans to legalise alcohol — either at futuristic megacity NEOM or in a bid to draw more visitors, assistant minister of tourism Princess Haifa bint Mohammed said on Wednesday. The princess was asked, in a panel session about Saudi Arabia at the World Economic Forum, on the possibility of offering alcohol in new destination such as NEOM.

Princess Haifa said the kingdom has been “doing well” in attracting visitors since launching tourism e-visas in 2019 and that rules would remain “the same”. 

Saudi owner-operator of power and water plants ACWA Power has started building a multi-billion-dollar green hydrogen plant that will turn the Gulf Kingdom into major exporter of the green fuel, a Saudi newspaper reported on Tuesday. 

ACWA Power revealed that Phase 1 of the infrastructure and other construction work will cost around $900 million, according to Almadina Arabic language daily, which said the Company made the announcement at a meeting with shareholders on Monday. 

Saudi Arabia’s THE LINE project, a 170-km long linear urban development in NEOM, is set to receive bids for its main work package to build spine water transmission by June 1, MEED reported. 

This package, which will be the latest in a series of tenders for the Line and Spine components, includes design, build, testing and commissioning work for a pressurized permanent water system. 

Saudia airline has announced that it will launch weekly flights from NEOM Bay Airport to Dubai in late June, and plans a direct route to London.  Saudia operated its first-ever flights from capital Riyadh to the NEOM site in January of 2019.

The Saudi Film Commission (SFC) is participating in the 75th edition of the Cannes International Film Festival, which runs from 17-28 May, to build awareness of the country's rapidly developing film industry, showcase its unique cinematic and pristine locations, and champion new and exciting talent in a drive to become a world-class hub for film and TV production.

Located in the International Village, the Saudi Pavilion will be the epicenter of information, events, panel discussions, and networking, bringing together country partners who are making great strides in building the industry and enhancing the ecosystem in the Kingdom.

The government wants a greater share of Pakistanis to form the workforce that is contributing to the mammoth NEOM city project in Saudi Arabia.  Saudi ambassador to Pakistan H.E Nawaf Bin Said Al-Malki called on Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Sajid Hussain Turi on Thursday.  Turi discussed issues and opportunities for creating jobs for overseas Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia and emphasized ensuring a sizeable Pakistani quota formed the workforce for the development of the futuristic multi-billion NEOM city Project.

Lucid Group, setting new standards with the longest-range, fastest-charging electric car on the market, has set the stage for the construction of its AMP-2, a world-class production factory in Saudi Arabia with the hosting of a ceremonial signing event.