Register for MEED's guest programme 

Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) is preparing to issue a tender in June for the contract to build its next entertainment complex in Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

The expression of interest notice was issued on 9 May, and the submission deadline was 16 May.

The Al Ahsa entertainment complex will have a built-up area of about 94,000 square metres (sq m).

The project is expected to be completed by 2027.

In May, sources close to the scheme told MEED: "The project is currently in the detailed design phase, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of this year."

Seven is making progress on its other schemes across the kingdom.

In May, MEED exclusively reported that Seven was preparing to award the main construction contract for the Jeddah Obhur entertainment complex.

The Obhur complex is one of three planned entertainment complexes in Jeddah by Seven. 

Earlier this year, the client selected Egyptian contractor Hassan Allam Holding for the contract to build its planned entertainment complex in Al Kharj.

The development covers about 160,000 sq m and is located in the Al Khuzama area of Al Kharj.

Seven projects

Last year, Seven awarded contracts worth approximately SR10bn ($2.5bn) to develop its entertainment destinations in the kingdom.

Seven plans to invest SR50bn in developing 21 integrated entertainment destinations in 14 cities in the kingdom as Riyadh pursues its strategy to move away from hydrocarbons, create jobs and improve the quality of life for citizens and residents.

The complexes are intended to help position the kingdom in the post-Covid-19 era as an entertainment, culture and tourism hub for the region.

In May, the Public Investment Fund announced the merger of Seven into Qiddiya Investment Company.

"The move is in line with the strategy to establish an entertainment, sports and culture powerhouse in the kingdom," the state-owned Saudi Press Agency reported on 14 May.

MEED's April 2024 special report on Saudi Arabia includes:

> GVT & ECONOMY: Saudi Arabia seeks diversification amid regional tensions
> BANKING: Saudi lenders gear up for corporate growth
> UPSTREAM: Aramco spending drawdown to jolt oil projects
> DOWNSTREAM: Master Gas System spending stimulates Saudi downstream sector
> POWER: Riyadh to sustain power spending
> WATER: Growth inevitable for the Saudi water sector
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi gigaprojects propel construction sector
> TRANSPORT: Saudi Arabia’s transport sector offers prospects