The man in charge of a showpiece project of Saudi Arabia’s plan to diversify its economy away from oil will bring a roadshow to Hong Kong inviting investors to back the ambitious development.
Nadhmi Al-Nasr, the chief executive officer of Neom – a US$500 billion futuristic megacity under construction on the country’s northwestern coast – is scheduled to host a half-day event on April 19 at the M+ in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
Discover Neom, co-organised by the Belt & Road Office under Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, will feature presentations by Neom’s leadership, a “New Future by Design Tour”, and an evening reception from 6pm to 9pm, according to an invitation obtained by the Post.
Neom’s team will visit mainland China first before coming to Hong Kong, which is the last stop for the roadshow, according to a source familiar with this matter.
Neom, a central pillar Saudi Vision 2030, is likely to appeal to potential investors and partners from the city’s professional services sector, providing opportunities in areas such as IT, architecture, accounting and law.
The project is so far said to be predominantly backed by Western investors.
Attendees at the April 19 roadshow can learn of Neom’s approach to urban design, integrated economy and “future living” in a “nature first”, zero-carbon environment experience its diverse regions through immersive exhibitions, according to the invitation.
Meanwhile, guests can connect with the Neom leadership team and “explore significant partnership and investment opportunities that Neom has to offer”, it said.
Neom calls itself a “mindset” and promises to be a zero-carbon urban centre powered entirely by renewable energy.
Its chief investment officer Manar Al-Moneef was in Hong Kong on March 26, speaking at the OneEarth Summit.