In a strategic move aimed at ensuring work progresses according to schedule and with the highest standards of efficiency, international news reports have revealed the creation of an additional administrative structure for the NEOM project. This step comes in response to operational challenges in the construction of the mega-city, one of the world's largest construction projects, with an estimated cost of up to one trillion dollars.
Strengthening governance and administrative oversight
Under the new arrangements, a specialized department, headed by five senior administrators, was established to directly oversee governance and enhance communication channels with government agencies. The new department is headed by Mazen Al-Furaih, who brings extensive experience from his previous work within the real estate division of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the project's financier. These initiatives are being undertaken under the direct supervision and continuous monitoring of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, who is leading this ambitious project to become the Kingdom's future.
The new administrative department represents a key pillar in the efforts of NEOM's new CEO, Engineer Ayman Al-Mudaifer, who is focusing on cost control and addressing any potential delays in delivery schedules by contractors and implementing companies. Reports indicate that Al-Mudaifer has directed a comprehensive strategic review aimed at accelerating the pace of work to ensure the completion of the project's key phases by 2030.
NEOM: The jewel of Vision 2030
These administrative changes cannot be viewed in isolation from the overall context of the project. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched the NEOM project in 2017, it has become a symbol of the economic transformation in Saudi Arabia within Vision 2030. The project, located in the northwest of the Kingdom on the Red Sea coast, aims to diversify sources of income away from oil, by focusing on vital sectors such as renewable energy, biotechnology, luxury tourism, and entertainment.
The project holds significant geopolitical and economic importance, as it is expected to contribute substantially to the Kingdom's GDP, in addition to creating thousands of jobs and attracting foreign direct investment. NEOM encompasses mega-projects such as the carbon-neutral city of "The Line," the floating industrial city of "Oxagon," and the mountain tourism destination of "Trojan." This makes precise execution and adherence to deadlines crucial to the success of this integrated system.
The importance of strategic review for major projects
NEOM management has previously stated that conducting strategic reviews is a standard and normal practice in mega-projects with long implementation periods. These reviews allow for adapting plans to global economic changes, ensuring optimal resource utilization, and correcting course to guarantee the precise achievement of set objectives.
The new structure reflects the Saudi leadership’s commitment to ensuring the project’s success and overcoming all obstacles that may stand in its way, thus confirming to the world the Kingdom’s seriousness in transforming the desert into a global center for innovation and sustainable living.
