![Minister of Finance Mohammad Al-Jadaan affirmed that spending on the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs is continuing in accordance with the agreed plans, after some of the programs were temporarily suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.](http://media.assettype.com/ajel-english%2Fimport%2F2020%2F12%2Fafb2f0b609b92600310905cf1a1820fe_M.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal bin Fadhil Alibrahim stated that the Kingdom's successful bid to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh demonstrates the international community's confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to host major global events.
In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), he added that the Kingdom’s hosting of this international event underscores its commitment to achieving sustainable economic and social development.
Expo 2030 presents a historic opportunity for the Kingdom to implement sustainable and innovative practices in infrastructure development, energy utilization, and urban planning, Alibrahim noted.
The event will further strengthen the Kingdom's position as a leading global destination for business, tourism, and innovation while fostering international dialogue and purposeful cultural exchange to cultivate a more prosperous world.
Furthermore, this victory will yield numerous economic and social benefits, including gross domestic product (GDP) growth, increased employment opportunities, and enhanced investment flows, the minister said.
The event will also contribute to the development of various sectors such as tourism, construction, and services, he added.
The minister highlighted that Expo 2030 is expected to attract a larger number of visitors to the Kingdom, consequently driving growth in the hospitality and retail sectors and boosting consumer spending.
The event will also serve as a platform for Saudi investors to establish business partnerships and engage with numerous international companies across various sectors, Alibrahim said.
Additionally, hosting the expo will contribute to improving the quality of life in the Kingdom, as well as the quality of products and services in fields such as healthcare, education, and transportation, the minister said.
The Kingdom has already begun reaping these positive impacts since the announcement of its successful bid to host the expo, and the benefits will continue even after the conclusion of the event, the minister stated. This is evident through the ongoing infrastructure development projects aimed at preparing for the expo and other significant events and activities scheduled to take place in the Kingdom in the coming years.
These projects will have tangible long-term benefits for the Kingdom’s development trajectory for decades to come, enhancing economic activities in various sectors and supporting private-sector participation, the minister concluded.
As a result, these initiatives will strengthen the private sector’s capacity for growth and enable it to take the lead in the Kingdom’s unprecedented economic transformation journey.