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By Amira El-Fekki
Middle East News Reporter
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New aerial images show progress on the world's biggest construction site, including on Neom's centerpiece development, The Line, as it takes shape in the Saudi Arabian desert near the Red Sea.
Newsweek has reached out to Neom for comment.
Why It Matters
Neom, the world's biggest construction site, is the flagship element of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman's Vision 2030 to diversify economy away from dependence on energy exports.
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Authorities working on the project, which has faced delays and budget overruns, have been reviewing the scope and feasibility of the giga project and appointed a new CEO for that purpose.
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What To Know
The Line, the most ambitious piece of Neom, was unveiled as a pair of parallel 500-meter-tall skyscrapers stretching through the desert. Saudi authorities originally planned for The Line to house 1.5 million residents by 2030.
Giles Pendleton, the Line's chief operating officer, posted on LinkedIn two weeks ago confirming active construction progress in July." THE LINE is taking shape at an incredible pace and something I'm incredibly proud of," Pendelton wrote.
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A key element of Saudi Arabia's Neom project is the Oxagon port, a floating industrial complex located in one of the world's busiest maritime trade routes connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe.
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Saudi Arabia has asked consulting firms to reassess the feasibility of The Line this month, considering potential changes to the project's scale and priorities as part of a broader review of spending, according to Bloomberg.
Saudi Arabia's budget has come under pressure because of a drop in oil prices and that has complicated efforts to fund its economic diversification plans, according to Reuters.
Other Gulf and Arab governments are also pouring capital into megaprojects, aiming to attract global investors and tourists through cutting‑edge technologies and luxurious developments.
Gulf royals, key backers of U.S. President Donald Trump made significant financial pledges in investment commitments to the United States during his visit to the region in May.
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What People Are Saying
Giles Pendelton, Chief Operating Officer at The Line, Neom, wrote on LinkedIn: "There's nothing ordinary about building THE LINE and nothing ordinary about the people bringing it to life."
Scott Lechley, a UK-based construction analyst and executive recruiter who has written on NEOM, on LinkedIn: "The initial plans for The Line were scaled down, not abandoned. Breaking down large projects into manageable modules ensures better control and allows for adjustments along the way."
What Happens Next
Neom is expected to complete some initial projects soon, with others due in the coming years, though financial pressures and a strategic review could affect timelines.
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