Saudi Arabia concluded its participation at the global real estate gathering MIPIM in Cannes, presenting an ambitious vision for investment in its fast-expanding property sector under the “Invest Saudi” umbrella, with backing from the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority.Delegations from government bodies, developers and investment agencies used the event to showcase projects and policies aimed at attracting international capital to the Kingdom’s property market, which has undergone a series of structural reforms designed to make it more accessible to foreign investors.
Held annually in the French Riviera city, MIPIM draws thousands of developers, policymakers, investors and urban planners from around the world. Saudi Arabia’s pavilion served as a central platform for presenting a portfolio of large-scale developments and discussing investment opportunities linked to economic diversification plans under Vision 2030.
Officials involved in the initiative said the country’s real estate sector is experiencing a significant shift driven by regulatory changes, new mega-projects and an expanding infrastructure pipeline. Among the reforms highlighted was a new framework permitting foreign companies and individuals to purchase residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural property in designated zones, a policy move seen as a major opening of the domestic market to international ownership.
Participants at the pavilion emphasised that the reforms aim to support deeper global partnerships and broaden financing channels for large urban developments. Representatives from the investment promotion ecosystem met with international investors and developers during the week-long exhibition to promote projects spanning housing, mixed-use districts, tourism infrastructure and smart-city initiatives.
MIPIM, often described as the real estate industry’s leading global marketplace, attracts more than 20,000 delegates from nearly 100 countries, representing trillions of dollars in deployable investment capital. For Saudi Arabia, the event offered an opportunity to position its rapidly evolving property landscape alongside other major international markets seeking cross-border investment.
At the Saudi pavilion, multiple government entities and project developers outlined development pipelines linked to economic diversification strategies. Discussions and presentations focused on expanding urban centres, new economic zones and infrastructure programmes intended to accommodate population growth and rising demand for commercial space.
Large-scale developments formed a central theme of the exhibition. One of the projects highlighted was the proposed New Dammam coastal development in the Eastern Province, an urban scheme estimated at about $26 billion. Planned as a mixed-use city spanning hundreds of millions of square feet, the development aims to combine residential neighbourhoods, business districts and green public spaces within a long-term urban growth strategy.
Developers involved in the project described it as an attempt to create a modern coastal hub linking Dammam and Al Khobar, two major economic centres in the Gulf region. The masterplan includes residential communities, commercial facilities, hospitality infrastructure and extensive parkland designed to enhance livability.
Other initiatives presented in Cannes included the King Salman Park project in Riyadh, an extensive urban regeneration effort intended to transform a large area of the capital into one of the world’s largest city parks. The development is planned to feature more than a million trees, cultural venues, residential districts and office spaces, reinforcing the city’s ambitions to expand its role as a regional business centre.
Such projects reflect a broader transformation of the Kingdom’s property sector, which has accelerated as authorities seek to reduce reliance on oil revenues by encouraging investment in tourism, culture, infrastructure and urban development. Vision 2030 has positioned real estate as a key pillar of economic diversification, with government-backed giga-projects expected to reshape major cities over the coming decade.
The Cannes exhibition also featured a series of panel discussions and presentations hosted within the Saudi pavilion. These sessions, often described as “Saudi Talks”, brought together government officials, investors and developers to examine trends in urban development, sustainability and technology adoption in the built environment.
Industry participants discussed how digital infrastructure, renewable energy integration and data-driven urban planning are increasingly shaping the design of new developments across the Kingdom. Such themes align with broader global trends in real estate, where investors are placing greater emphasis on sustainability standards, smart-city solutions and long-term resilience.
Another focus of the delegation’s participation centred on upcoming global events that are expected to accelerate demand for real estate and infrastructure. Riyadh’s role as host of Expo 2030 and the country’s selection as host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup have generated additional interest among international investors seeking opportunities in hospitality, residential and transport projects.
Officials involved in the pavilion said engagement with international investors at MIPIM forms part of a broader strategy to deepen partnerships with global developers and financial institutions. The Kingdom has increasingly used major industry exhibitions to present its development pipeline and encourage foreign capital to participate in large-scale urban projects.
Saudi Arabia’s growing presence at global property events also reflects the expanding influence of Middle East markets within the international real estate sector. Delegations from across the Gulf have increased their participation in recent years as governments promote new economic zones, tourism developments and infrastructure corridors.
The momentum surrounding these initiatives is expected to continue beyond Cannes. Plans are already under way to expand the MIPIM platform in the region through the launch of MIPIM Middle East in Riyadh, scheduled for October, which organisers describe as a new hub for global investors, policymakers and developers interested in the region’s fast-growing property market.
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