Saudi Arabia To Invest $7 Billion In Three Theme Parks Near Paris

Saudi Arabia has pledged six billion euros ($7 billion) in investment for the creation of three mega theme parks on the outskirts of the French capital of Paris.

The deal was announced by French President Emmanuel Macron on social media following the signing of memorandum of understanding between Saudi Arabia and France during a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday.

Describing the news as an “extraordinary announcement”, Macron said the three theme parks would be built in Cergy-Pontoise on the outskirts of Paris.

He did not give further details on the themes but enflamed a rumor that one may be devoted to the Japanese manga Dragon Ball with a comment that he loved manga.

“You know of my interest in manga. You also know of my determination to attract investments to France that create jobs and make the most ambitious projects possible,” he said.

Macron said the parks would generate 22,000 jobs, with the sites on a scale not seen since the creation Disneyland Paris, which currently welcomes some 16 million visitors a year.

The project is being financed by Saudi entertainment ​and investment group Qiddiya, which is behind the world’s first Dragon Ball theme park at Qiddiya, an entertainment and tourism project outside the capital of Riyadh.