Saudi Arabia’s Council of Economic Affairs and Development is understood to have set up a committee comprising seven ministries and government departments to study the feasibility of establishing two economic cities in the Kingdom.

According to local reports the proposed economic cities will be developed between King Khaled International Airport (KKIA) in Riyadh and King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.

The committee, which is chaired by the Minister of Economy and Planning Adel Fakeih, is conducting the studies in collaboration with US-based consultancy firm Oliver Wyman.

Abdullatif al-Othman, governor of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), who is a committee member, was quoted in local press saying “The two cities will also boost the wheel of economic development and reinforce the diversification of economy.”