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Saudi Arabia names Expo 2030 Riyadh Company CEO

23 June 2025

Saudi sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has named Talal Al-Marri as the CEO to lead the newly-launched Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC).

In an official statement published by the Saudi Press Agency, the PIF said that Al-Marri "is expected to lead the Expo 2030 Riyadh team in delivering a world-class exhibition that reflects the kingdom’s ambitions and rapid development, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030".

Al-Marri has previously held several senior executive roles at Saudi Aramco, including president and CEO of Aramco Europe, senior vice president of community services and senior vice president of industrial services.

The announcement follows the establishment of ERC as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the PIF that will build and operate facilities for Expo 2030.

In a statement, the PIF said: “During its construction phases, Expo 2030 Riyadh and its legacy are projected to contribute around $64bn to Saudi GDP and generate approximately 171,000 direct and indirect jobs. Once operational, it is expected to contribute approximately $5.6bn to GDP.”

The masterplan for Expo 2030 Riyadh encompasses an area of 6 square kilometres, making it one of the largest sites designated for a World Expo. Situated to the north of the city, the expo site will be located near the future King Salman International airport, providing direct access to various landmarks within the Saudi capital.

Countries participating in Expo 2030 Riyadh will have the option to construct permanent pavilions, contributing to the event's legacy. This initiative is expected to create opportunities for business and investment growth in the region.

The expo is projected to attract over 40 million visitors. After the event concludes, ERC plans to convert the expo's secured area into a global village, to serve as a multicultural centre for retail and dining. This development will also include an international residential community with various amenities, with a focus on sustainable tourism practices.

Expo 2030 Riyadh will run from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031.

In mid-May, MEED reported that Riyadh had begun talks with stakeholders in preparation for the start of the construction works for the event.

The discussions were understood to have been held with the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and the PIF.

German architectural firm Lava Architects and US-based engineering firm Jacobs are assisting with the project masterplan and the design of infrastructure for the site.

READ THE JUNE 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

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Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the June 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

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Yasir Iqbal

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