Saudi Arabia's New Murabba project to lure global investors, but at what cost?

Al-Monitor Pro Members

Dr. Robert Mogielnicki

Senior Resident Scholar, Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington 

March 7, 2023

Ambitious project announcements — such as New Murabba and its “immersive, experiential destination” of The Makaab — are becoming an increasingly common feature of Saudi Arabia’s developmental aspirations. New Murabba’s location on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh raises the political stakes associated with the development, increasing the likelihood that strong state support will be forthcoming. Yet many observers question the feasibility of building the “world’s largest modern downtown” by the 2030 deadline given the large supply of other nascent development projects in the country. There is no doubt, however, that New Murabba will further increase the funding obligations of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the country’s $620 billion sovereign wealth fund.