Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has launched Expo 2030 Riyadh Co. (ERC), a dedicated entity responsible for delivering the infrastructure and programming for the Kingdom’s first World Expo. The move is a major milestone in preparations for the global event, set to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031.
According to PIF, the development phases of Expo 2030 are expected to inject $64 billion into the national economy and create around 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, the event is forecast to contribute an additional $5.6 billion to GDP.
ERC will oversee the entire scope of the event—from large-scale infrastructure to cultural programming. It will collaborate with both Saudi and international private sector partners, drawing on PIF’s global investment network and Vision 2030 strategy to ensure successful delivery.
The Expo site will span 6 million sq. m, making it one of the largest World Expo venues ever developed. It is strategically located north of Riyadh, adjacent to the future King Salman International Airport.
The event is expected to draw over 40 million visits across six months. After the Expo concludes, ERC plans to repurpose the site into a “global village”, complete with permanent national pavilions, premium residences, and retail and cultural attractions that support Saudi Arabia’s push toward sustainable tourism.
Riyadh won hosting rights for Expo 2030 in November 2023, securing the international vote in the first round, affirming its growing status as a dynamic global capital.
The launch of ERC underscores PIF’s central role in delivering Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, driving economic transformation while reinforcing the Kingdom’s place on the world stage.
As Expo 2030 enters its active development phase, opportunities are opening across construction, hospitality, events, logistics, and smart city technologies. International companies looking to contribute to or benefit from this historic project can now position themselves for entry.
To explore how your business can participate in Expo 2030 and broader Saudi giga-projects, contact HARIS Consultancy – your partner for strategic internationalization in the Middle East.
