RIYADH: Opportunities for Chinese companies to engage with and invest in NEOM have been showcased in Beijing and Shanghai, attracting significant interest from several companies. 

The giga-project kicked off the Chinese leg of its global “Discover NEOM” tour in the capital on April 15, followed by a visit to the country’s biggest city on April 17, attracting a cumulation of over 500 business and industry leaders. 

Organized in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai, the events featured presentations by NEOM’s leadership team that highlighted on-the-ground progress and milestones, as well as detailed overviews of the initiative’s diverse economic sectors.  

Numerous opportunities for Chinese companies to engage and invest in the advanced urban and economic zone were showcased during these gatherings, eliciting significant interest. Many companies expressed enthusiasm and discussed concrete next steps with NEOM’s leadership, according to a release. 

“We are grateful to CCPIT Beijing and CCPIT Shanghai for supporting our visit to China and for the opportunity to present NEOM’s vision,” Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said.  

“To date, NEOM has already engaged with over 15 major Chinese businesses and invested in a number of Chinese startups to support the growth and diversification of NEOM. Collaboration with China will continue to play a vital role in the development of NEOM, and we look forward to strengthening our engagement with the country’s business community,” he added. 

Over 100 Chinese building companies participated in the event’s construction-focused forum, which presented many collaboration opportunities. 

Furthermore, the private showcase, “Discover NEOM: A New Future by Design,” was a highlight of the events.  

It offered guests an immersive experience exploring NEOM’s developments. These included THE LINE, a 170-km-long city designed as the future of urban living; Oxagon, which is reshaping the traditional industrial model; Trojena, NEOM’s mountain resort; and Sindalah, a luxury island destination in the Red Sea set to open later this year. 

“Both Beijing and NEOM are accelerating the development of new modes of productivity, deepening comprehensive reforms, promoting scientific and technological innovation, and working to ensure the protection of our environment,” Guo Huaigang, chairman of CCPIT Beijing, said. 

“We look forward to the role our cooperation can have in Beijing’s future prosperity,” he added. 

Expressing Shanghai’s interest in fostering its relationship with Saudi Arabia, Zhao Zhuping, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Municipal Government, stated that the entity looks forward to deepening mutually beneficial engagement with NEOM. 

“Discover NEOM China” marks the latest installment of NEOM’s global roadshow, following engagements in major international cities such as Seoul, Tokyo, and Singapore, as well as New York, Boston, and Miami. 

Paris, Berlin, and London have also been visited by the expedition.