A. Pharaon & Partners Law Firm.

With an investment of US$7 billion, the new Knowledge Economic City will play a crucial role in transforming Saudi Arabia into a global force in knowledge-based industry.

Situated to the east of Al-Madinah, the Knowledge Economic City (KEC) will be a cultural landmark for visitors and a national center for knowledge-based industries.

A superior urban and cultural landmark

Designed in a classic Islamic style, this will be a city of unique character and heritage. Its development will complement the work of the King Abdullah Foundation, creating an alternative central business district for Al-Madinah with improved facilities and infrastructure and a superior urban environment. As well as being a cultural destination, it will be a draw for tourists who will enjoy a raft of exciting facilities including a theme park, world-class hospitality and outstanding retail. KEC plans to create 20,000 jobs in its new industrial, academic, cultural and commercial sectors. It will benefit from strong growth in the local economy, supported by the upgrade to international status of the Prince Mohammed Bin AbdulAziz Airport and the expansion of the Medina Central Zone.

Key features

KEC boasts a number of complementary elements.

Taiba Complex for technology and knowledge-based economy
Supporting technological research and development in the region, the Taiba Complex’s unique location near Al-Madinah will help it to attract the best talent from around the world. Its extensive facilities and support services will be focussed on a number of areas including E-Government, E-Libraries, E-Education, Arabic-language technologies and technologies for managing religious tourism.

Technological and administrative colleges

KEC’s exciting new technological and administrative colleges will attract a huge audience with their suite of advanced technical study options and facilities. These include scientific research laboratories, IT, software development, automation, multimedia and business administration.

Islamic Civilization Studies Center
This center will be a hub of intellectual activity, focused on collecting, developing and transmitting the knowledge, values and artwork of Islamic civilization, as well as finding Islamic solutions to contemporary problems (such as designing Islamic banking products).

Business Center

In the heart of the city, the business center will accommodate companies operating in Medina, as well as knowledge-based industries. The city is well equipped with an advanced infrastructure, as well as conference halls, exhibition centers and offices designed to accommodate up to 10,000 employees.

Complex for medical studies, biological sciences and health services

A specialized medical campus will provide medical services to the visitors and residents of Al-Madinah Al-Munawara while the Complex for Biological Sciences will concentrate on fields critical to  KSA and the region, such as vaccine development, crop engineering and biotechnologies for waste and water treatment.

Transport

A network of transportation facilities is planned to connect the city to the Holy Mosque in Al-Madinah and to other major economic centers in the country. A central transportation station will connect the city with Prince Mohammed Bin Abdul Aziz International Airport and the city with Makkah, Yanbu, King Abdullah Economic City and Jeddah.

Lifestyle

Both tourism and commerce will be supported by planned commercial complexes, residential and hospitality facilities, a theme park and a mosque capable of accommodating 10,000 worshippers.