Saudi Arabia: 'Ground X' Project to showcase 2 million photos of Neom’s development

 

Saudi Arabia: Project to highlight Neom's development through millions of photos and videos 

Saudi Arabia is intensifying its efforts to attract global investors to its ambitious Neom development by launching the "Ground X" initiative, aimed at showcasing the project's progress. The initiative focuses on providing real-time updates and visual evidence of ongoing construction across Neom's various zones, including The Line, Sindalah, and Trojena.

Through a recent job posting for a "PMO Specialist," Skift uncovered details about Ground X, which is tasked with documenting Neom’s progress. The platform, though not publicly accessible, features a vast network of 452 time-lapse cameras, 63 live cameras, and over 300 drone locations, collectively capturing two million photos and 70,000 videos. A now-unavailable public version of the website emphasized the project's goal: to build trust among investors by transparently displaying construction milestones.

 

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A Neom spokesperson confirmed the existence of Ground X, describing it as an in-house content studio where investors can access live updates on key developments. This transparency initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to secure foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly amid reports of financial challenges within the Neom project. In April, Bloomberg reported cash-flow issues and potential downsizing of The Line, originally planned to span 170 kilometers but now potentially reduced to just 2.4 kilometers initially, with the full length targeted for completion by 2045.

Despite these challenges, Saudi Arabia continues its global investor outreach, including a recent partnership between the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and BlackRock for a $5 billion investment push in the region. Additionally, PIF secured a significant FDI deal with six Chinese banks, valued at up to $50 billion, signaling continued confidence in the kingdom’s long-term economic vision, despite current fiscal pressures.

 

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This strategic move aims to reassure investors of Neom's viability and progress, countering concerns while aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s transformative goals.

Source: Arab News