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🇰🇷 South Korea /Economy & Trade

Saudi Crown Prince to invest $6.5 billion in 'Disney-level' theme parks near Paris

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plans to invest approximately 9.7 trillion won (6 billion euros) to build three theme parks near Paris, France.
  • The project, described as unprecedented since Disneyland Paris, aims to create a new global tourist destination and generate 22,000 jobs.
  • The investment is part of a broader economic partnership between Saudi Arabia and France, with Saudi Arabia seeking French expertise in infrastructure projects, particularly related to oil transport, following recent attacks on its facilities.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to invest around 9.7 trillion won (6 billion euros) to construct three theme parks in the suburbs of Paris, France. One of these parks will be themed around manga, reflecting the Crown Prince's personal interest in Japanese comics like "Dragon Ball."

We are making an unprecedented announcement with Saudi Arabia. Three theme parks will be built in Cergy-Pontoise. 6 billion euros will be invested, and 22,000 jobs will be created.

— Emmanuel MacronFrench President Emmanuel Macron announced the theme park project.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the "unprecedented" collaboration, highlighting that the project in Cergy-Pontoise will be a comprehensive resort with hotels, restaurants, and residential facilities. Macron emphasized that this development, the largest of its kind since Disneyland Paris, will establish a "new global tourist destination" and create 22,000 jobs. The initiative gained momentum following a bilateral meeting in Riyadh in December 2024, where the Crown Prince and Macron discovered a shared passion for manga.

This is unprecedented since Disneyland Paris. A new global tourist destination is being born.

— Emmanuel MacronMacron emphasized the scale and significance of the new resort project.

The investment is being made by Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This venture underscores a deepening economic relationship between France and Saudi Arabia. France is keen to leverage its expertise in infrastructure development, particularly as Saudi Arabia seeks to enhance its oil transport security following recent attacks on its facilities by Iran. French companies are expected to find new investment opportunities in areas such as undergrounding oil pipelines and developing export terminals further from Iran.

You know I have a great interest in manga.

— Emmanuel MacronMacron alluded to the manga-themed park, referencing his known interest.

For Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the warm reception in France is significant, especially after facing international scrutiny following the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. His close relationship with President Macron, evident in their joint efforts on Palestinian state recognition at the UN General Assembly last September, signals a normalization of his standing among Western leaders. The Crown Prince is reportedly staying at a chateau near Paris, modeled after the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, which he owns.

The design inspired by Dragon Ball has been in the works for 18 months and will significantly enhance the tourism appeal of Île-de-France.

— Valérie PécresseValérie Pécresse, President of the Île-de-France Regional Council, confirmed details about the manga-inspired park.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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