{
  "id": 3083135,
  "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest $7bn in theme parks near Paris — French presidency",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-7bn-in-theme-parks-near-paris-french-presidency-3083135",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-24T18:40:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/saudi-arabia-to-invest-7bn-in-theme-parks-near-paris-french-presidency/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "France and Saudi Arabia agreed on Monday to a $7 billion investment in three theme parks near Paris, according to a memorandum of understanding signed in Paris. The deal, announced by the French presidency's Elysee Palace, was made during a two-day visit to France by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The parks will be built and opened in stages over several years and are expected to create around 22,000 direct jobs. One park will be manga-themed, as the two leaders discovered a shared passion for the Japanese franchise, particularly Dragon Ball Z, during their meeting in December 2024. The investment is led by Qiddiya, a Saudi Arabian investment firm and subsidiary of the country’s sovereign wealth fund. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, hailed the \"unprecedented announcement,\" describing the attractions as a \"new global destination.\"",
  "summary": "Saudi Arabia plans a $7 billion investment to build three new theme parks near Paris, including a manga-themed attraction, creating 22,000 jobs. Read More: https://punchng.com/saudi-arabia-to-invest-7bn-in-theme-parks-near-paris-french-presidency/",
  "key_points": [
    "Saudi Arabia to invest $7bn in three theme parks near Paris",
    "Parks to be built and opened in stages over several years",
    "Expected to create around 22,000 direct jobs"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Saudi Gazette",
        "title": "Attorney General meets Georgian ambassador to Saudi Arabia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/attorney-general-meets-georgian-ambassador-to-saudi-arabia",
        "published": "2026-08-24T16:38:32.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest €6 billion in theme parks near Paris, Macron says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-6-billion-in-theme-parks-near-paris-macron-says",
        "published": "2026-08-24T18:13:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "Saudi Arabia to invest $7bn in theme parks near Paris — French presidency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/saudi-arabia-to-invest-7bn-in-theme-parks-near-paris-french-presidency",
        "published": "2026-08-24T18:34:16.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}