Saudi Arabia to invest $7 billion in theme parks near Paris

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On August 24, 2026, Saudi Arabia and France signed a memorandum of understanding for a $7 billion investment by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund subsidiary Qiddiya to construct three theme parks near Cergy-Pontoise, France. The project, which was finalized during a two-day visit by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, stemmed from a December 2024 discussion between the Prince and President Emmanuel Macron regarding their shared interest in manga. The development is projected to create 22,000 direct jobs and includes plans for a manga-themed park, though the themes of the other two sites remain undisclosed.

Consequences

The project is expected to create 22,000 direct jobs, potentially positioning the site as a new global destination comparable to Disneyland Paris. However, the agreement has prompted criticism from French journalists' unions due to ongoing investigations into the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

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