Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Qiddiya high-speed rail project has attracted more than 145 companies worldwide, underscoring strong investor confidence in the kingdom’s transport megaproject. The initiative, structured as a public-private partnership (PPP), is being overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) in collaboration with the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) and Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) SaudiGulf Projects ZAWYA International Railway Journal.
Broad International Participation
Expressions of interest (EOIs), submitted between September and October 2025, came from a diverse mix of developers, suppliers, operators, investors, and design consultancies. Notably, 68 lead infrastructure contractors were among the applicants. International heavyweights such as Bouygues Travaux Publics (France), FCC Construcción (Spain), Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea), Larsen & Toubro (India), Marubeni (Japan), Mota-Engil (Portugal), and Webuild (Italy) joined leading Saudi firms in the bidding process International Railway Journal الهيئة الملكية لمدينة الرياض.
Strategic Importance
The Qiddiya rail line is designed to diversify Riyadh’s transport network, linking the capital to the Qiddiya entertainment and cultural hub. It forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to reduce reliance on cars, expand public transport, and attract international investment into infrastructure.
Next Steps
With EOIs now closed, the project will move into the prequalification and tendering phase, where shortlisted companies will compete to deliver one of the region’s most high-profile rail projects. The PPP model is expected to leverage private sector expertise while ensuring long-term sustainability and efficiency.
Outlook
The overwhelming response highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing appeal as a destination for global infrastructure investment. As the Qiddiya project advances, it is poised to become a flagship example of PPP-driven transport development in the Middle East, combining international engineering expertise with the kingdom’s ambitious urban transformation agenda.
