Jazan Economic City, Saudi Arabia

Jazan Economic City (JEC) is a Mega Project being developed by MMC and Saudi Binladen Group. The City will be built in the Province of Jazan which lies in the south west section of Saudi Arabia. Jazan has a population of approximately 1.2 million and covers an area of 40,000 sq km. It is ideally situated on the southern Red Sea Coast with a coastline of almost 300 km and in close proximity to the main east and west sea trade routes to Europe, the Far East and the Arabian Gulf.

According to JEC's developers: 'JEC will be wholly dedicated to pioneering further development of Saudi Arabia’s economy and her people. The proposed city of the future offers a timely opportunity to nurture non-oil based industries and to build and expand on new industries relevant to the Kingdom’s needs and aspirations.'

JEC will be divided into 4 distinct areas as follows:

1.) Heavy Industries;

- Power Plant
- Port
- Aluminum Smelter
- Refinery
- Dry Dock

2.) Secondary Industries;

- Silicon Processing
- Tech/Agritech Park
- Textiles
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food Processing
- Chemicals and Plastics
- Secondary Manufacturing
- Construction Materials
- Metal Fabrication

3.) Human Capital;

- Commercial Business District
- Education Area
- Recreation and Sports Facilities
- Convention and Exhibition Area
- Civic Administration
- Grand Mosque

4.) Lifestyle;

- Hotels and Leisure Developments
- Marina
- Residences

When I take a look at this project in its entirety I see that JEC is one of the most well balanced and well thought out Saudi Mega Projects I have seen to date. More facts on JEC from the developers:

> JEC represents one of the most important hubs on the coastline of the Red Sea, strategically in close proximity to local and international markets. Accordingly, this provides opportunities for better trade relations between Asia and Africa, offering valuable opportunities for investment and facilitating sea navigation and cargo shipping.

> JEC will draw more than a hundred million Saudi Riyals worth of private investment from the various sectors in the Economic City, consequently also contributing to 500,000 direct and indirect jobs.

> A large portion of the residential area lies on the periphery of the Gulf Coast, and the developers have designed residential marina housing, which will contribute to providing opportunities for the development of the real estate and encourage the luxurious lifestyle of the residents.

> JEC offers various lifestyle accommodations for its employees, hosting nearly 250,000 residents, which will in turn, vitalize residential and real estate development, especially near the education and health services vicinities.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding and developing world class Mega Projects. Jazan Economic City will contribute greatly to the economic growth of this great Arab Nation!

This link takes you to the JEC website:

http://jazanecity.com/en/index.asp