Riyadh – Mubasher: The Saudi Economic Cities Authority (ECA) has signed a collaboration agreement with Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) in order to conduct a feasibility study to build a world-class hyperloop “Center of Excellence”.
The Center of Excellence will include an extended test and certification hyperloop track, a research and development centre and a hyperloop manufacturing facility at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), according to ECA’s statement on Wednesday.
The move comes in line with the Saudi Vision 2030 in making the kingdom a globally attractive hub for high-value and long-term investments.
The announcement took place during a visit to VHO’s Innovation Campus in Los Angeles by a senior ECA delegation, led by Secretary-General Mohanud A. Helal.
ECA, which was established by Royal Decree in 2010, noted that the study will investigate opportunities for the co-development of specific technologies for hyperloop transportation systems that can be commercialized and scaled, together with the development of local expertise in Saudi Arabia.
It will also assess the potential for establishing localized hyperloop supply chains and the acceleration of innovation clusters across the Kingdom.
However, the hyperloop Center of Excellence at KAEC is expected to create 6,000 high-tech localized jobs.
“If materialized, the Center of Excellence will catalyze the development of a domestic hyperloop-enabled transportation sector, which in turn, will accelerate urban development and economic growth, creating job opportunities for the Saudi youth and increasing local content,” Helal commented on the deal.
