{
  "id": 3069838,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest $6bn in three manga-themed amusement parks near Paris",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-6bn-in-three-manga-themed-amusement-parks-near-3069838",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-24T16:41:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/europe/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-6bn-in-three-manga-themed-amusement-parks-near-paris/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia has agreed to invest $6 billion in the development of three manga-themed amusement parks located northeast of Paris, according to an announcement made at the conclusion of a two-day visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to Paris. This visit was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.\n\nDuring the visit, Macron and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, along with French Economy and Finance Minister Roland Lescure and Abdullah Al Dawood, Director General of Qiddiya, a subsidiary of the PIF, signed an agreement between the parties involved in the project. Macron expressed pride in this achievement, stating, \"We’re not done surprising the world.\"\n\nThe manga series Dragon Ball, which gained worldwide popularity in the 1990s, will be one of the central themes of the new parks. Macron's office did not provide specific details regarding the timeline of the project. The parks, which are anticipated to generate 22,000 new jobs, will be constructed in the vicinity of Cergy-Pontoise, approximately 30 kilometers from Paris.\n\nMacron expressed gratitude for Qiddiya and Saudi Arabia's confidence in France's abilities and future potential. The Saudi side was reportedly drawn to the site due to its close proximity to Paris and the entertainment resort Disneyland Paris, situated to the west of the capital.\n\nThe announcement of the new theme parks is anticipated to garner positive reception in France, particularly as the nation prepares for presidential elections eight months away. Macron will not be eligible to run for re-election due to serving two consecutive terms. The presidential race is primarily focused on concerns regarding the nation's substantial public debt and declining purchasing power.\n\nMacron's office revealed that the idea of the manga-themed parks was initially discussed between Macron and the Saudi Crown Prince during a visit to Riyadh in December 2024. Both leaders shared a passion for manga, which was later explored in a series of meetings starting in March 2025 between Macron's advisers and the Qiddiya Investment Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The Qiddiya Investment Company is responsible for overseeing a mega-tourism project near Riyadh, including a theme park dedicated to the Dragon Ball franchise, covering over 500,000 square meters.\n\nInterestingly, Macron and the Saudi Crown Prince also share an interest in video gaming. On Sunday, they attended the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup, an event that marked its first appearance outside Saudi Arabia in Paris. Apart from the esports event, the Saudi Crown Prince's visit primarily centered on discussions related to the aftermath of the Iran-US war.",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on Monday signed an agreement with the French government to invest $6 billion in creating three manga-themed amusement parks north-east of Paris. The announcement came at the end of a two-day visit to Paris by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman , who was hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders oversaw the signing of the agreement…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest $6bn in three manga-themed amusement parks near Paris",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-6bn-in-three-manga-themed-amusement-parks-near",
        "published": "2026-08-24T16:41:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Politico EU",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest €6B in massive French theme park site",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-6b-in-massive-french-theme-park-site",
        "published": "2026-08-24T18:46:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Business",
        "title": "Manga-inspired theme park to be built near Paris",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/manga-inspired-theme-park-to-be-built-near-paris",
        "published": "2026-08-24T19:57:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}