“Development of “Sumou Suburb” projects in all phases will be made through 5 years” Dr. Ayed Bin Farhan Al Qahtani, Chairman of Sumou Company said. He added that Sumou Suburb Project will constitute a turning point in the real estate projects in KSA; it will affect the real estate development concept. In addition, Dr. Al Qahtani noted that Makkah is one of the key investment environments in KSA and that the project provides the concept of public and private partnership. It constitutes new modern vision of Makkah based on development systems carried out and undertaken through care and diligence of the government of HH the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud for construction of New Makkah being a first world class city. The speech of Dr. Al Qahtani was delivered during a dinner for an orientation about the project in presence of HE Dr. Usama Al Bar, Secretary of Makkah. The dinner party was held on the verge of the Cityscape exhibition in Jeddah, Hilton Hotel. During the event, a film of the project was presented to attendants from businessmen and investors. Returning to the chairman of Sumou, he noted that development of all milestones of the project will take about five years as per the requirements of the first phase for completion of infrastructure and the second phase for completion of superstructure as per the schedule of the project.

He indicated that the project represents a new vision of Makkah, noting that “Sumou Suburb” represents a new modern Makkah that accommodates modern projects. In addition, the new project is characterized with the highest standards of development and highest levels of quality of urban design. In addition, this type of projects will be deemed as one of the pillars of development and humanitarian dimensions as it represents a cultural platform of Makkah in the West, and that Sumou Suburb that will be developed to become international project with local nature of (Makkah) origin. Dr. Al Qahtani has emphasized that the project is one of the most important projects in the Middle East featured with development dimension as it constitutes cultural platform of Makkah. In addition, the project is deemed to be the first project to witness public and private partnership as instructed by HH the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Kind Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz. The project area is located at the western entrance of Makkah at 13 km from the Al Masjed Al Haram, and it is penetrated by Makkah- Jeddah Highway. Sumou Suburb is considered the main gate to Makkah to the entrance of most pilgrims and mu’tamerin. The area of the project is approx. 1.5 million square meters, and the total built area will exceed 1 million square meters to accommodate above 25000 persons.

Dr. Al Qahtani added that Makkah Gate project will develop the approach of urban development management in Makkah and control the issues of regional urban structure with remarkable solutions for the slums at the area. Moreover, he added that the project will provide balanced distribution of activities and will produce urban environment featured with modern style and authentic spirit, and will establish and create diversity in the urban environment for achievement of human standard. In addition, it will materialize the concept of organic environment, integration and interrelation of different elements and presentation of a project with aesthetic values that go in line with the functions and abilities to meet social and economic needs to achieve the progressive development and requirements for development in Makkah. HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Governor of Makkah Province has previously launched the works of development in “Sumou Suburb” Project with a cost over two billion riyals. The project is one of most important real estate and urban projects in Makkah and KSA. The purpose of the project is to authenticate Islamic values and combine authenticity with modernity and achieve sustainability in the development based on balance of man, venue and resources, and to provide featured public compound for the service of the region and its people. In addition, the project supports the economic base for Makkah, by providing integrated system of infrastructure; cultural, social and recreational services at the highest quality. The project provides modern public transport facilities that facilitate movement and residency of native people and visitors through connection to Al Masjid Al Haram and the Holy places. This project is a distinguished approach of integrative partnership. He added that the western area received much attention from the concerned authorities for development of Makkah and other several matters that inure to the benefit of the nation and nationals. In addition, he emphasized that investment in the western area is promising and successful, as it is fertile for real estate investment, which made broad successes on the short and long term as well. Saudi real estate sector will be successful for two reasons; firstly governmental support to for several years, and the increasing number of population at high rates which necessitate an increasing demand to residential units and other projects.